Sheila,
I had a group of JW's come to my house to talk to me once. I very
politely told them that I had my beliefs and they had theirs and that I
probably wouldn't change theirs and they definitely wouldn't change
mine. (How's that for a run on sentence? lol) Anyway we talked a couple
minutes and parted ways.

Yeah, they're not quite as persistent as they used to be. But this one
lady sure was!

I bolt the doors and draw the blinds when I see them coming. LOL

There are many ways to 'force'. One way is to assign moral Christian
imparitives into our laws. Another is find fault in the nature of an
individual who does not comply with the ethical standards of the
majority, as AB was discussing. Another is to be remanded by the court
to AA - 12 step meetings. There is the browbeating of family members,
and of course there is the everpresent family Sunday School.

"There are many ways to 'force'. One way is to assign moral Christian
imparitives into our laws. Another is find fault in the nature of an
individual who does not comply with the ethical standards of the
majority, as AB was discussing."

Well, majority rules, doesn't it? Those opposed are free to vote
otherwise or write their Congressman.

And, for the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would take issue
with "moral Christian imperatives." I mean, don't we have to draw the
line SOMEWHERE as to what is or is not acceptable behavior? Those
so-called "Christian" imperatives aren't limited to just Christianity,
you know. Other religions impose morality on its members.

I don't believe in a lot of what my religion preaches, and I certainly
am no goodie two shoes (well, these days I guess I am) but I do realize
that morals and laws aren't put in place to "ruin my party," but are
there because, without them, society would eventually destroy itself.
Hell, people don't even act properly with them in place, so how can we
expect them to act properly if life were just one big "free for all?"

"Another is to be remanded by the court to AA - 12 step meetings."

AA is supposed to be designed around a "higher power," not around
God/Christianity.

"There is the browbeating of family members, and of course there is the
everpresent family Sunday School."

They still aren't "forced" to go. I hate "visitation" and will not
participate in it. Of course, I haven't been to church in 25 years,
either. I don't believe one has to go to church in order to worship God.
And I get downright PISSED if someone comes to my house and starts
preaching. Not that what they're preaching upsets me, it's that I HATE
unnanounced visitors.

I think it's the epitome of rudeness.

I think churches should sent out postcards saying they're going to be in
the neighborhood XX days, and allow people to check "yes" or "no" as to
whether or not they can receive visitors that day.

If they say no, then that should be that.

I don't like even my own faith imposing on me and my privacy like that,
but...I still don't feel "forced" to do a damn thing I don't want to do.

(Oh, and the way I got rid of the JW chasing me that day? I turned
around and started chasing her with the lawnmower.)

hehe

Great post, LW. I think anyone who'd dismiss the entirety of the Bible
as merely a fairytale must have some unreasonable negativity they are
working through. I believe the Bible does contain stories that are not
literally true, including the very first book - but it is also -so much-
more. And the lives of -some- people I've met, who take the Bible as
their inspiration, is testimony to the goodness that can be realized by
making good use of the Bible.

Hi Jean,
I wasn't complainging was just indicating some other ways force can be
used. I do vote and I petition and I lobby, and one day, I'll be in the
majority - so no tears when that happens. lol

AA-12 step uses the word God. Most of those I know (a lot) who have
been in AA are from the midwest, close to or in the Bible belt. It may
be that the influence there is a bit stronger than other places, but
they always pray before and after their meetings. Personally, if it
works, I'm all for it, I'm just saying it's a form of coersion.

Most of the families in my neighborhood 'forced' thier children to go
to church, Sunday school, have communions, be confirmed, many felt
obliged to continue even after they were adults. They said it was
easier than listening to the guff from the rest of the family later. We
were definately a generation raised on respect, at least in my
neighborhood.

I live in Nashville. That's about as Bible belt as you can get. And I've
known several people who go to/have gone to AA meetings and they've told
me they don't emphasize "God" in their meetings, but a "higher power."

I suppose, if the participants were all believers in God, they might.

I was born in MA and raised my first 12 years in CA and my mother took
us all to church (three times a week, plus VBS) and I'm very glad she
did. I can't think of a single thing "bad" about having been raised a
Christian.

I generally stay away from the "If you're not a Christian you're going
to hell" type of discussions because I believe that's a very personal
and private spiritual issue between God and the individual person; it is
not for me to make that sort of judgment.

And even though I don't believe in a lot of religions or dogmas
different from my own, I'd never call someone "stupid" or suggest that
they believed in "fairytales" or anything of the sort just because they
didn't believe as I did.

(Speaking to the topic in general, mind you, not to anything you've
said).

not our place to judge but is our right to protect our family in the way
we see fit i dont think we have the right to judge ( or to stop you)
from getting any job or being in any position because of you beleifs
just because you beleive different than me.

Thank you griz I fully agree with you.

JeanC I merely mentioned christianity because that is what I faced.
Other religions do these things also. I was not singling out
christianity I was trying to point out that religion can be 'forced'
upon an individual in many different ways.

I realize that. but I think of "force" as making someone think as you
think or do as you do. Even as impudently persistent as the JWs are,
they still don't "force" themselves upon you.