When does a person take their religion too far?

[Dionysus]

In your opinion, of course.

There's a guy that goes to my church and school, he meditates on God all of the time! This is not much of an exaggeration. When he's in class-he meditates. When he's walking-he meditates. Whenever he has free time-he meditates. Whenever a few of us go out to eat-he meditates. Ummm his appearance...I always thought he had a lot a hair just because he doesn't seem that appearance conscious. It dawned on me whenver I saw him in a little play. He was jesus in the play. I'm sure he has long hair and beard to look like Jesus. Before I knew this person, I thought there was no such thing as someone taking their religion too far, but now I think twice.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Dionysus
In your opinion, of course.

There's a guy that goes to my church and school, he meditates on God all of the time! This is not much of an exaggeration. When he's in class-he meditates. When he's walking-he meditates. Whenever he has free time-he meditates. Whenever a few of us go out to eat-he meditates. Ummm his appearance...I always thought he had a lot a hair just because he doesn't seem that appearance conscious. It dawned on me whenver I saw him in a little play. He was jesus in the play. I'm sure he has long hair and beard to look like Jesus. Before I knew this person, I thought there was no such thing as someone taking their religion too far, but now I think twice.

To each his own, I guess. That wouldn't bother me. What gets me is when people knock on my front door and then try to convert me. That hasn't happened to me in New York, but it did happen a few times when I lived in Tallahassee.

[AGDee]

This is a slight hijack, although possibly related. When I was doing my internship at a state mental health hospital, I had to run a craft group. So, first time out working with real patients and who shows up to my craft group? One guy who thought he was Jesus, another who thought he was Judas and a third who walked around reading the Bible all the time. Jesus and Judas got into an argument and staff had to escort them both out and get them separated!

On a more serious note, "religiously preoccupied" is often a characteristic of schizophrenia although I believe it has to interfere with the person's functioning to be considered a problem. As a Christian though, I've sometimes wondered whether, when Jesus comes again, we'll try to institutionalize Him.

Dee

[Tippiechick]

I am of the philosophy that it's better not to push my religion on other people. My in-laws do NOT agree. (My family, me, and my husband are of a different religion than they are.) They are constantly trying to convert us.

Last month, we all went out for a family occasion. They actually prayed OUT LOUD at the restaurant. I am not against prayer; I am just against causing a scene doing so. Later, they handed her religious tracts. I felt so sorry for her. She was trying to be as nice as she could. I just sat there shaking my head.

I am sure they'll try and convert the baby when it gets here, too. lol

[James]

When they annoy me, or they know less about it then I do . . because I am generally not interested.

[Munchkin03]

When they kill or tell others to kill in the name of that religion.

I think people take their religion too far when they put on the gospel channel in YOUR CAR without asking.

[valkyrie]

I agree that trying to impose your religious views on others or resorting to violence in the name of religion is taking it too far. I also think what Dionysus posted is taking it too far -- it's probably too far when your religion overpowers every single thing you do to the extent that you're meditating while you're out to eat with friends. When you can't have a simple social interaction without bringing religion into it that much, I almost wonder if religion is some sort of crutch.

[Rudey]

In the words of Mao, Religion is poison.

-Rudey
--Nee ho mah