Religious Civility, Where Has It Gone?

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It’s been a couple of days since Resurrection Sunday (Easter to some) and I’m finally in a place where I can write this post without getting teary~eyed…

On Sunday morning, I woke up and checked up on all my people like I normally do.  I sent out “Happy Resurrection Sunday” messages to a few friends and family and then went on about my day.  Later that afternoon, I checked a couple of my usual online haunts (Facebook, Friendfeed and Twitter) to see what people were up to and was shocked at the level of meanness that people were showing towards those who observe Easter/Resurrection Sunday.  Out of respect and love for my Lord and Savior, I will not repost any of the comments, nor will I link to them, but suffice it to say, some of the comments were pretty nasty.

I realize that not everyone observes the religious aspects of Easter/Resurrection Sunday but I do expect a certain amount of respect for those who do.  I don’t know if I was just being hyper~sensitive that day but it seemed like every TV show and movie was questioning the existence of God over something trivial, so to log on to Facebook, Twitter and Friendfeed and see similar comments or derogatory statements from people I consider to be friends just stung.

In the end, I unplugged for the day and chose to focus on things I could control.  I’m not the type of person who shoves my religious beliefs down the throats of others.  I believe in Jesus and I have accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior (my statement of faith is even posted on the left sidebar), if you have questions, you can ask me.  I do post things related to my faith on my blog, so my religious beliefs are not a secret nor do I want them to be.

I’m not naive enough to believe that everyone has reverence for that day but I guess I just thought people had a bit more, I don’t know, respect…

What do you do when friends or family belittle your religious beliefs?  Do you call them on the carpet?  Or do you just let it go?

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  • Thetuk33

    I do not comment much on your blog, but this one needs me to post. I too believe in God and have Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I do not push it down other peoples throats. I try to ensure my children know God and know that I love God and that He directs my family. I was saddened to hear that people, friends, FB folks, people you do not know very well…would be like that on Resurrection day. What happened to ‘when you don’t have something nice to say…don’t say anything at all’? I do not watch the news anymore because there is never anything ‘nice’ to say there either. sigh… Tony

    • http://livingoutsidethestacks.com DaenelT

      I know, I just couldn’t believe the meanness and/or the vileness of some of the comments that people were making. I may not share a person’s beliefs but I would never belittle or berate them for celebrating, I would just skip over the post or, worse comes to worse, hide them for the day. It’s just sad, really.

  • dwija borobia

    I’m so lucky to have a very supportive, kind network of friends on my social sites (thankfully) but I did read a comment on someone’s Easter blog post that said “Finally! No mention of Jesus! Amen.” and I was a little floored by that. Even if you don’t share a religious belief, I don’t understand wanting to celebrate a holiday but disparaging its origins. Just imagine “Finally, no mention of Irish people on St. Patrick’s day!” or “Finally, no mention of America on Independence day!”…it just makes no sense. It’s unfortunate how people just don’t think very clearly as they go through their lives. Shameful even sometimes…

    • http://livingoutsidethestacks.com DaenelT

      Honestly, I don’t think the comments were directed at me personally, I think they were just random comments that I took to heart. I have to believe that none of the people that I call friends would be so mean spirited on purpose. Then again, there is that anonymity and distance behind the screen that allows people to say and/or do things they wouldn’t otherwise.

  • http://shellywildman.net Shelly W.

    This is so hard. I’m kind of like you–I’m a believer, I write about my faith (but not all the time), but I don’t expect that ever reader agrees with me. I appreciate your sensitivity, and I’m so sorry about the nasty comments on Sunday. He is risen!

    • http://livingoutsidethestacks.com DaenelT

      Thank you, Shelly. For me, my faith is like the air that I breathe ~ I don’t discuss it, I just do it. And I pray that others are touched not through my preachiness but through the sharing of His word.

  • http://twitter.com/YUMMommies Elizabeth the Great

    No, I don’t let it go. I have friends that have different religious beliefs from myself and I make sure that I don’t disrespect their beliefs or lifestyle. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be allowed to voice their opinions but do so respectfully and not on a religious holiday.

    • http://livingoutsidethestacks.com DaenelT

      Thank you, Elizabeth. I started not to write this post because I didn’t want to offend anyone and then I was like ~ wait ~ I don’t want to offend anyone? What’s wrong with me? I was offended and I need to speak up and this is the best way that I know how.

  • Christie Cowin

    That is sad. I wasn’t on FB much on Easter but it is sad to know people are doing that. :( I agree, even if you don’t share my beliefs, please don’t trash them.

    • http://livingoutsidethestacks.com DaenelT

      Exactly, Christie. I just wonder what has happened to tolerance, respect, sensitivity, civility, etc. Even if you don’t share my beliefs, respect them.

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