(Image copied from www.ernestangley.org/estore/product/be_ye_separate/)
Identifying one’s self as Christian usually gets one of a few reactions depending on your audience. The first is the impression that you think you are better and morally just than everyone else (goody two shoes). Then there are the anti-religious who wants to challenge your idiotic belief in a myth. There are the curiosity seekers who want to know what is it about God that makes you want to drink the Kool-Aid. There are the others who immediately vacate from your presence as if you are a contaminant of some kind.
On the other hand, when appropriate occasion does not arise to identify your supernatural beliefs, then people assume you are one of the masses. There is nothing inherently wrong with being one of the masses except when people assume certain bad things about your character that are insulting to your faith, identity and convictions as a Christian. For example:
-When your boss assumes you would lie or pick and choose the truth that will be more beneficial
-When your doctor suggest having an AIDS/STI test after telling him/her that you are not married or involved in a relationship (assumption: that you are still sleeping around anyway).
-When most people at an event assumes you are a heavy drinker like everyone else (or have an alcohol problem and that’s the reason you are not drinking). Or you quit smoking, so that’s why you refuse a light. Or it’s safe to assume you will be getting hammered later.
-Every woman has a pregnancy scare story, so where is yours.
-Assumes that because all the coworkers take things home from the office that it will be a part of your office culture practice.
-Your nonreligious acquaintances assume you are already having sex with someone you very recently met
-If you refuse to dress provocatively: short skirts/dresses, boobs hanging out or some other risqué clothing, that you may have had a bad experience as a child.
-In a conversation with a group of people and everyone has a story of waking up next to a person with whom they have no recollection. They seem confused when you indicate that such behaviors are not normal for you.
I know why I take offense to such insulting implications. It’s because people always assume the worst of others and society usually reward such tarnished behaviors. Everything wrong is “soooo cooooool” these days, it absolutely disturbing. I take offense because the assumption is that I am one of those people who consciously make stupid destructive decisions because everyone else is doing it.
25 January 2012
Harleyq2
5 responses to “The Insulting World”
lookingforapurpose
February 8th, 2012 at 20:40
I agree with this post. Plus we both know there are more things but those are a few of them lol. I am glad to see your not as narrow-minded as some people in this world on what you write. It makes me think there might be some hope yet
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Harleyq2
February 8th, 2012 at 21:15
Thanks for the vote of confidence Looking
. I am not always politically or religiously correct.
Greg
January 27th, 2012 at 06:12
Yes, the lack of sheer logic alone in decisions people make is mind boggling! Then they continually complain about the consequences of their own actions. I like the old Garfield “Well, Duh!” poster–nails it perfectly.
Greg
January 26th, 2012 at 13:53
All too true! We *are* going to look strange, but like you’ve shared, the key is to be as prepared beforehand (as much as possible) for the worst reaction, and respond as calmly and simply as we can. If pressed for an answer, “well, that’s not my choice” should suffice. Even if we’re not aware of it, people are watching; from personal experience, even the smallest details of what you do/say (or don’t do/say) are noticed.
Harleyq2
January 26th, 2012 at 14:08
I have had one or two of those experiences I mentioned and I my immediate inner reaction was anger in 0-20 sec (must work on that). It takes everything I have to not to say anything aggressive towards such things.