Why do you think we are so often reluctant to show our religion to others?
97981
Well, that really isn't true of everyone. There are plenty of people who have no problem at all in making their religion known.\n\nThose who do not, I am sure, have a wide variety of reasons.\nSome people are very private by nature and feel their religion is something personal to them and just not comfortable sharing their beliefs to anyone other than the ones they are close to.\n\nSome people don't discuss their religion because of a sense of propiety. They were taught that discussing religion, except under certain circumstance is not polite, same with politics.\n\nSome people may live in an area or enviroment that are predjudiced against particular beliefs and they feel it best to keep them to themselves.\n\nThere are many other reasons, but these are a few.
44936
I think the key word in your question is respect.  It is entirely possible to disagree with someone and still respect them.  The other thing that we need to remember when dealing with people from other religions, is that we are representing our own faith to them.  As a Christian, my faith teaches me to love my neighbors, and it even teaches me to love my enemies.  So, I am certainly called to love people of other faiths.
1010288
Not a thing.  It's really sad for people to make others feel like they are less worthy among others simply because they don't follow their religion.  To me, it makes those of that religion self-righteous.  It shows they lack compassion for other people Unless that person happens to believe as they do.
806044
Well said, and thank you. You might have a point. I'd like to think that one doesn't have to have no faith, to have manners, intellect, and a sense of humor. But If you've ever noticed someone who is deeply religious, they are always trying to convert you, or convince you otherwise. Whereas I've never tried to push my belief on anyone. In fact, If it wasn't for people, mostly coworkers, trying to ask for donations, or just asking me questions about my faith, they would never know that I'm not a religious person. But based on that one principal, now they keep there distance...Goddamn hypocrites!!
293655
This is something I've wondered about for a long time.  To me it makes so much sense that everyones spiritual path is unique to them, that there is no such thing as a "one True" way.  Everyone sees a different face of the divine.... \n\nThe reasons why people are afraid are simple though - they are uncertain.   Any act of faith makes people feel vulnerable - it should!  Faith is an act of belief without any tangible proof, of course people can get touchy/defensive about it.  Faith makes people feel good, but any challenge to that (such as the existance of multiple religions) means that there may be something else that they haven't considered.   They are insecure.
755929
You are just going to have to ask, as this is a very personal thing most people do not talk about their religious beliefs
167837
Don't obsses over your religions. To me it's not a big deal at all. Just love eachother for who you are. And realize that there is more than just your religion. It takes many different people to shape the world.
385799
It depends on the attitude of the person I'm speaking to.  As long as they're not trying to convert me I'm open minded but as soon as someone tries to hand me a copy of watchtower or asks me to consider taking jesus into my heart after waking me up at 8am I get rather defensive.
621831
Some people have one set thing in the mind and are not open to others beliefs. I am Christian but on the other hand try to be open minded about others religions to.
164246
I have respect for all people. If you where walking past me and fell, I would help you to your feet. Would you accept my hand if you knew that I was a Christian? I hope you would, but my point is that, what I have seen of your religion, makes me think that you wouldn't. And its not my government, or my God(that I believe is god), that influenced my feelings on this. It's a combination of what I've seen and heard of your beliefs and the actions that make me want nothing to do with your religion. As a Christian I would hope you'd take my offered hand, but I can't bring myself to believe that you would.
929046
Amen. I couldn't have said it better myself, Christian here.  I believe why not let the other person believe, think what they want, I never push Religion on anyone.  If they act interested or curious, I let them lead me into the discussion.  And I try my hardest to be polite, but I do have my days, I think every one does now and then.
552451
I believe it is human nature to assume that someone who defies what you believe in, doesn't know what they're talking about. That doesn't make this assumption true however. I am a Christian and I know there are many people out there that are well versed in Christianity, even if they do not share the belief. Some of them probably even know more about it than I do. I know about other religions as well. I think it is important to know about and the different faiths and non-faiths of the world.
15045
I think everyone worships something whether they believe in God or not.  Some people even worship the idea of not having a God because they have to tell everyone about it.  I do agree with your idea about weakness.  I think that people who are insecure about their beliefs tend to try to recruit people to believe the same thing so they don't feel alone.  Those who are secure about their own beliefs tend to keep quiet and go on with their lives.  They don't need to feel justified that their beliefs are okay since they have their own truth.
227841
Usually that's only the case if your parents or guardians are overbearing and insist that you accept their ideas. \n\nI don't find myself not wanting to believe in the religion or ideals of my parents... probably because they never shoved their beliefs down my throat. It all depends on how you're raised.
1050120
You have a very good point, and I completely agree with you on this topic. If we try and force out beliefs down their throats we are no better than "the Bible thumper's". Religion is a group of people believing in the same thing, and faith is your own personal belief in something. That's how I see it, and I try not to debunk any ones beliefs, but I will admit there are times where I am really tempted to try. Yet it is still wrong to say that some ones religion is right and some one elses is not.\n\nBlessed Be.
732087
I agree with some of the others who've answered you. I could add that they may be afraid of looking into other points of view because if they do they just might have to change their minds.  That could totally mess up their whole life view of themselves, their God and everything else.
300182
It can be very difficult to practice a religion different than a country's state religion or predominant religion. For example, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe, we could not teach Muslims because of the repercussions they could have if they joined another religion and decided to return to their home country. I knew a man from Bangladesh that wanted to find out more about our religion. We wanted to teach him but could not because he was Muslim.