For those of you who have very strong faith, do you look down upon those who do not share your beliefs?
445739
No. Absolutely not. The fact that I have a strong faith is a personal decision. What anyone else chooses to believe in is entirely up to them, and I do respect that. I wouldn't be living the way my faith requires if I were to push it onto someone else. I respect their beliefs the same way that I would want someone to respect mine. (Lutheran)
362569
No not at all....I'm thankful I have a religion a faith the opportunity to believe, and regardless of what religion a person may be someone is always going to put "their two cents" in on it...Believe in what's right for you...no one can do this for you....and I feel you shouldn't put others beliefs down either..Think about it my parents were raised catholic...so of course me and my siblings were all raised catholic...if they happened to be Mormon than we would be Mormon...like I said before believe in what's right for you as a person, to me God can tell the difference of people sincerity regardless of "what religion you may be" or "which religion you think is right"....
873145
Agreed, 100%.  I believe these people must be insecure with themselves and their beliefs to have to put down others.  It is not our position to judge others, so says God.
180944
You are certainly welcome to your opinions.  Please be tolerant of those who DO believe in a higheer being.
1122094
It is true that some are over-zealous.  I, like you, believe that the faiths of others are to be respected... after all most faiths aspire to the same thing--happiness. Many of the principles of my own faith I see in the faiths of others.\n\nWhile serving a mission in Madagascar and the surrounding islands for my Church, I had the opportunity to learn a lot of other people's faiths.  I am a Christian... or I'd like to think I am.  I'm not always as good as I should be, but I do try to emulate the example of Jesus Christ whom I revere as the Son of God.  While I was there, I taught many Christians who belonged to other denominations, I also taught some people who worshiped their ancestors, others who were Islamic and so forth.  While on the Island of Mauritius, my American missionary companion was threatened by a man who said that if any bombs were to drop on Iraq he would kill him... but the experiences that I remember and cherish the most were not those of the extremists, the fanatics or the zealots, but that of those who silently lived their religions.  \n\nThe media likes to capture the bizarre the strange, the amazing and the horrific tales that do not occur on a daily basis.  It is often for this reason that we hear more about the extremists and fanatics, but I believe that despite the negative influences of those who take their religion too far, the often common and silent influences of those who live out their religions and their lives as they know best, far outway those fanatics.\n\nI once taught a muslim, an old fellow, who has marked my life and taught me one of my greatest lessons.  He had heard the news of Iraq and of September 11th.  He was not a rich man, indeed he was rather poor.  He let my companion and I enter his home, where he blessed us.  He was kind man, and showed us his Qu'ran whose cover was worn a faded with use, and whose pages and become undone and needed binding.  It was evident that he lived his religion, and had no problem in hearing my companion and I chat with him of ours.  We listened to him as he eagerly shared with us his faith, and recounted his desire to go to Mecca, which he had just acheived.  When we presented him with a copy of the Book of Mormon, he wept with gratitude, as he considered a book a very great present, and that he value of this particular gift was substantial.  I really loved our "partage" and exchange that we had.  Of all the things he wanted us to know most was that not all muslims were extremists, and that the actions of a few should not be representative of the whole of Islam.  He gave us food and drink before we parted, and unfortunately I have not heard of him since, but I will always remember him, and when I think of muslims, if ever I find myself stereotyping the actions of a few for the whole, I will think of that old man, and not of the September 11th bombings.\n\nI believe that that story can be applied to all religions.  \n\nI greatly admire those who seek to share their faith with others, whether it be knocking on door after door or whether they share their faith through their examples of quiet living.  It is important to have standards, to have faith, to have dreams, hopes and aspirations, but we must be careful that when we share these things with others that we do not impose them on them.  We must invite, but never compel others to believe as we do.\n\n"And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." Ether 4:12
504284
I don't think of them as a whole. I think of them as individuals. Each one is as unique as any person commited to any belief system. I can't judge the ones you mean because I don't know them personally.
1150922
I have no problem with non-believers here.  I am not insulted by your presence; in fact, this may be the perfect setting for you.  I pray that God would speak to you in some way that you would believe in Him.  True Christians do not condemn others, however, love them and avoid saying hurtful things. However, I will not refrain from expressing how I feel about my personal relationship with God and how He has carried me through many difficult times.
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.
90113
The biggest difficulty and challenge that I have had has come not from within, but from the outside world.  I believe that we should all respect one another's beliefs and that our journey with God is a personal one, so naturally, I am continually disappointed with the attitudes and behaviors that I see displayed in the name of God every day.  I am also constantly barraged with, "Christians do this and Christians do that and WHY, WHY, WHY?!" and I don't have an answer except to say that they are not true Christians as Christ intended.  \n\nBut, I'm tired of standing up for why I believe what I believe when it's no one's business but mine and God's.  People think it's wrong to stereotype a person by race or nationality, but perfectly okay to do so by spiritual beliefs and I think that should come to a stop.
985926
I think it does sharpen your beliefs when someone challenges them. Sometimes the anger that people show is insecurity in what they believe. They don't know how to answer a question someone asks them and so they lash out at the person for even asking.  When people ask what I believe it also helps me to examine what I believe and creates a dialog between the two of us.
1001555
Apologize profusely for not believing, but I would plead my case and explain that all that I have done in my life would add up to the same. And that in all cases I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone who stands by their religion. I learned a long time ago that nothing should change the way you feel about your convictions, not even angels, because the evil one can disguise himself as an angel of light.
604293
I do as long as they don't try to tell me what I am doing is right or wrong and try to push what they believe or their values on me. You have your right to believe in what you want but you have to respect other people's beliefs too.
858665
It seems that some people from all different faiths feel that if they belong to that faith (even loosely) it gives them the right to jump on a soapbox and tell the world that what they believe is the only way to go and if you don't believe it you'll go to an undesirable place.  \n\nI understand and appreciate what you're saying and you're free to believe as you wish.  It's the "others" that try to force their beliefs on you that drive most people crazy.  We're free to believe what we'd like to too.  You're right, you can't save anyone's soul.....wish other people would get that and worry about their own souls.
612651
I think that people get caught up on one single aspect of their faith a lot of times.  This causes them to lose sight of their complete faith which can lead to misinterpretion or a lack of understanding of what their faith teaches and believes.  Homosexuality is a very good example.  I'm not saying that I believe its right, but you still have to step back and realize this person is still a person.  You also have to realize that you are not perfect either in some other way, and a lot of people forget that.
456339
I think those who bash without having experienced the ones they are bashing are doing so on the bases of hearsay.  Years ago I was involved with a person who really tried to get me to see the way others worshiped and open my mind to the ideas that just as my worship wasn't wrong, neither was theirs.  Needless to say my experiences of worship have never been the same.
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.
633941
I think those people are insecure enough in their own faith that they will only feel justified if they are able to convince other people they are right.