# Christian Insularity In America **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 10, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371 "2004-02-10T02:17:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CheekyMonkey613](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@CheekyMonkey613](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheekyMonkey613)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/1 "2004-02-10T02:17:06Z")
In my mind, to each his own as far as religion is concerned. It’s like sexuality ~ as long as you don’t put it in my face, I don’t give a shit what you are. But I’ve recently come across a hell of a lot of Americans, in particular, who seem to think that Christianity is the one and only ‘official’ religion in the United States of America. What the fuck happened to the Melting Pot, my friends? It’s interesting that in Canada, if your ancestors are from Italy for example, you call yourself Italian or Canadian. In the States, it’s more than likely that you call yourself Italian-American. The ancestry is there and accepted. Your melting pot seems to have wrongfully absorbed all religions as well, with a majority official religion. **Not Christian? WTF?** Well let me tell you, my insular friends… Open your fucking eyes. Though Christianity may be a majority, don’t forget your **Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist, Hindu, Wiccan, Native American, Baha’i, New Age, Sikh, Scientologist, Humanist, Deist, Taoist, Eckankar** neighbours. How dare you think that you will ‘save us’. You have your religion, I have mine. I don’t want to hear your garbage. If I did, I’d give your place of worship a call. Don’t assume for a second that EVERYONE is Christian. Hate to break the news to you: Jesus may have died for YOUR sins, he’s simply a mere mortal to me. And though we disagree, I respect your choice ~ you respect mine. Or was it a choice? Were you preached to since you were a baby? Did you just absorb all of it by osmosis without thinking for yourself? Is it just family tradition to be Christian? Is the thought of exploring other religions more fear-inspiring because of the family retribution than any heavenly repercussion? The [American Airlines Pilot](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/02/07/state2118EST0136.DTL&type=printable) comes to mind. He asked all Christian passengers on the plane to identify themselves, then suggested that non-Christian passengers discuss their beliefs with the Christians. Very nice. That would scare the shit out of me more than anything else. And I sure as shit wouldn’t listen to one fucking person who wanted to tell me about people dying for my sins. A Jewish friend of mine works in an employment agency. Her co-worker (who deals with the public) regularly wears t-shirts with such sayings as: “Contagious. I’ve got the Jesus disease.” There are more, but I can’t remember them. WTF is it about wearing this shit at work? Are you so fucking DUMB as to think that you are amongst ‘your own’ and the number of non-Christian people consulting you is so insignificant that it’s not worth considering? You’re fucking offensive. I can understand a gold cross on a chain. Just like I can understand a magen david on a chain. But a T-SHIRT? Now you’re pushing it, really. In [ThatDuckIsEvil](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=238882)’s latest BBQ post, he talks of a boss who has put up a poster in the office for the latest controversial Mel Gibson movie. When Duck wanted to take the poster down, he found out the owner of his company’s sister company put it up. His reply was, “… As for you not wanting any potential customers being offended or confused, I would hope that the confusion would be solved by them talking with a believer and finding out more about Jesus. Those who may be offended, I will pray for.” Hate to tell you, buddy. Really. Christianity might be YOUR only religion, but it isn’t the public’s only religion. OPEN YOUR FUCKING EYES! And you know what? I’m genuinely happy that you’re a practicing Christian, though I am Jewish. I figure the more people that adhere to a peaceful religion, the better. As a matter of fact, my grandma was Catholic. Ain’t no one gonna tell me I’m not meeting up with her someday. As a matter of fact, I told her to save me a seat in the VIP section, cause that’s where I know she’ll be. (Joking of course … she _got it_ on her death bed, so if you don’t, tough.) In conclusion, my Christian Insular American friends, though some of you are commanded to recruit\*, I suggest you keep that activity out of the workplace. If you knock on my door, I have the option of closing it. If you’re in my workplace, I’m in more of an awkward situation. You may not realize that what you are accomplishing is probably not bringing people over to the “right side”. Most proabably you’re putting more of a barrier between you and them, repulsing anyone from possible consideration. But at the end of the day, who in the hell gave you the right to inflict your beliefs on others? You’re more disrespected than respected. Maybe I’m the first to tell you this cold hard fact; maybe I’m not. But I hope for everyone on the planet that one day, you absorb it and act accordingly. - In Judaism, you are not allowed to recruit. This way, the faith stays ‘clean’. True converts seek conversion and are said to have a Jewish soul, therefore returning to Judaism. This explains why Judaism isn’t as fast growing as let’s say… Islam. Converts go through a rigorous learning period in which they are severely discouraged by rabbis. If they are deemed true converts, they are submitted to a final test by a bet din (three rabbis) who determine with finality if one is accepted into Jewry. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/2 "2004-02-10T02:18:29Z")
Why don’t you stop shitting your pants all the time and relax? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/3 "2004-02-10T02:22:37Z")
Ya know, yer really going to have to get a new schtick, or you’re going to wind up in one of **Fenris’** one trick pony threads. ---
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/4 "2004-02-10T02:34:52Z")
So was this a pit against Americans or Christians? You lost me in there somewhere… ---
**Author:** ![CheekyMonkey613](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@CheekyMonkey613](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheekyMonkey613)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/5 "2004-02-10T02:45:53Z")
If you research my last posts, you’ll find: ~ Christian Insularity In America ~ Religion At Work - Help Me Explain This No-No ~ 20 Years For Your Crime Against That Child Is Insufficient ~ Look Out Australia! Fred Phelps Is Headed Down Under! ~ MyDoom And The Idiots Who Spread It ~ Best Message Board Ever ~ Australia - The Only Country That Eats Its Coat Of Arms ~ Smileys ~ Rabies Antibody Test - Help! (twice) ~ American Idol III ~ A Cosmetician’s Rant (Warning Weak) ~ Australians: How To Pronounce Ularu? ~ Don’t Reduce My Television Viewing Down To Little House On The Prairie (three times) ~ For Fuck’s Sakes People, it’s Just A Boob. Get Over It! (four times) ~ Doctors That Are Having A Bad Day Should Stay Away The Hell Away From My Ears (twice) ~ Can You Really Buy Marijuana Online? ~ Suicide Bombing In Israel ~ What Fool Came Up With This Stupid, Lame Idea? Nice try Alice. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/6 "2004-02-10T02:49:20Z")
Um, BTW ‘atheism’ is not a religion, that’s the point. No belief in a greater being. Grew up atheist, found out that most people have some belief in a greater being, even if they don’t accept the surrounding religious trimmings. So us minority group people need to be a little more understanding and tolerant, as long as people around us and not offensive about their religion. ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/7 "2004-02-10T03:04:57Z")
> [@CheekyMonkey613](#): > > In my mind, to each his own as far as religion is concerned. It’s like sexuality ~ as long as you don’t put it in my face, I don’t give a shit what you are. > > But I’ve recently come across a hell of a lot of Americans, in particular, who seem to think that Christianity is the one and only ‘official’ religion in the United States of America. What the fuck happened to the Melting Pot, my friends? > > It’s interesting that in Canada, if your ancestors are from Italy for example, you call yourself Italian or Canadian. In the States, it’s more than likely that you call yourself Italian-American. The ancestry is there and accepted. Your melting pot seems to have wrongfully absorbed all religions as well, with a majority official religion. > > **Not Christian? WTF?** > > Well let me tell you, my insular friends… Open your fucking eyes. Though Christianity may be a majority, don’t forget your **Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist, Hindu, Wiccan, Native American, Baha’i, New Age, Sikh, Scientologist, Humanist, Deist, Taoist, Eckankar** neighbours. Can’t we forget our Scientologist neighbors? Please? But you’re dead on about the Christians. The worst thing is the way they all assume that just because you’re not one of them, you’re an evil heathen. Imagine, condemning an entire group of people out of hand like that? What kind of crackbrains do this sort of thing? ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/8 "2004-02-10T03:12:00Z")
It’s beyond annoying! I get official bulletins at work that convey God’s personal blessings upon us all, bombarded by relatives, and am constantly shushed by friends who encourage their children to witness but discourage me from entering into an honest dialogue about beliefs with the kids. Is it any wonder I love to travel? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/9 "2004-02-10T03:19:53Z")
I grew up Christian. Then I became Atheist. Now I’m sort of a searching Agnostic. Been a long time since anyone took it upon themselves to 'save’me. It’s been many, many a year since I’ve seen an example of anything the OP speaks of. **CheekyMonkey613** , maybe you should consider moving out here to sunny Southern California! ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/10 "2004-02-10T03:25:00Z")
> [@](#): > > What the fuck happened to the Melting Pot, my friends? There’s no money in it. ---
**Author:** ![Quint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/76d3ee/32.png) [@Quint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/11 "2004-02-10T03:31:16Z")
> [@CheekyMonkey613](#): > > And though we disagree, I respect your choice ~ you respect mine. And from [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=237675&page=5&pp=50&highlight) thread > [@CheekyMonkey613](#): > > Jesus Fucking Christ Almighty Now, IANAChristian, but that seems like a funny way of respecting their beliefs… ---
**Author:** ![Ex\_Machina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/12 "2004-02-10T04:04:33Z")
I agree with the OP. Many Christians are too aggressive. They seem to be ignorant of the fact that public assertion of the correctness of their belief is an insult to those who believe otherwise. They seem to take it as their special privilege to tell other religions that they are wrong. If I was on that plane I would have looked at all the idiots with their hands up and said “Did you hear that? It was the voice of your LORD! This is a test of your faith. Well… jump out the fucking door, you freakin’ dipshits, and see if your savior catches your dumb asses before you hit the motherfucking ground.” One day I would like to see the President of the U.S. stand up on national television and tell all non-Christian Americans that they can only be saved through Jesus Christ, that they are doomed. Maybe then people will begin to get a sense of how exclusive and offensive this smarmy public proselytism is. Anybody who doesn’t understand this is a fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/13 "2004-02-10T04:08:49Z")
I wish I lived in Canada. Must be nice up there, seeing how there’s no such thing as religious bigotry, racism, homophobia, or nationalism. Everyone up there’s just united in joyous brotherhood and happiness and fluffy bunnies and rainbows and pretty, pretty flowers. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/14 "2004-02-10T04:12:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I wish I lived in Canada. Must be nice up there, seeing how there’s no such thing as religious bigotry, racism, homophobia, or nationalism. Everyone up there’s just united in joyous brotherhood and happiness and fluffy bunnies and rainbows and pretty, pretty flowers. Yeah, but you have to heat up your car in the morning to start it. No thanks, buddy! ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/15 "2004-02-10T04:46:50Z")
On the plus side \*\*Cheeky \*\* seems to have gotten her ALLCAPS under control. _Golf clap_ Thats one, however, on the negative, too long, been done, applies the word “insular” to the US :eek: I thought we were _overly_ involved in world affairs, can’t have it both ways, love. Assumes all 250 odd million Americans are the same, Cheeky, pssssst…I’m an atheist, have been for many years, yet I am still not at camp x-ray. Besides, everyone knows the US is way too busy planting false information about BSE coming form Canada to worry about us. 🙂 Seriously, lady, I’ve got some xanax right here, I’m willing to share. ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/16 "2004-02-10T05:19:35Z")
> [@CheekyMonkey613](#): > > But at the end of the day, who in the hell gave you the right to inflict your beliefs on others? Uh, the First Amendment\*? (That would be the one that gives you the right to inflict your beliefs right back onto them.) \*Though I suppose it would be a ‘what’, not a ‘who’. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/17 "2004-02-10T06:03:23Z")
I’m glad to be back in the gritty, grey Great Lakes region, where I don’t have to worry so much about Fundies. Instead, it’s old-school pre-Vatican II Catholics who think I’m going to Purgatory. At least they leave me alone. Too bad the cute Jewish girls in Beachwood won’t give me the time of day. Apparently, having a Jewish father isn’t enough. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/18 "2004-02-10T06:33:05Z")
I’ve never heard of Eckankars. Are any of them hot chicks? ---
**Author:** ![TitoBenito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2acd7d/32.png) [@TitoBenito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TitoBenito)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/19 "2004-02-10T07:11:11Z")
Who the hell are you talking to Cheeky, Americans or Christians? Pick one and stick to it. Also in case you don’t know American Airlines isn’t run by America (it’s run by the devil himself so that he can make you late for everything and treat you like shit while he does it.) So shame on you for blaming something some whackjob did on the US as a whole. And shame on you for blaming something some whackjob did on Christians as a whole. And most of all shame on you for blaming American Airlines on anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371/20 "2004-02-10T07:46:28Z")
Only one thing bothers me more than pushy Christians and that’s people who assume that all Christians are. Cheeky, if you want pushy Christians to pay attention to your suggestion that people will be more likely to respect them if they are not so pushy, then you might consider not being so…um…pushy. I think the American Airlines pilot should have been arrested upon landing for frightening so many people. And certainly he should have been fired. He obviously does not have sound judgment about appropriate behavior. I am a Christian and it still annoyed the hell out of me to hear about it. I can’t imagine how people of other faiths or non-believers must have felt. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-insularity-in-america/228371.md?page=2)