The Jehovah’s Witness are pretty bad for all that… as are Scientologists, a load of cults, Elan Schools, and arguably even the military and manosphere. Many of these don’t necessarily bring religion into things.
Our shared objection is the human capacity for imposing power, subjugation and control of others. Where we differ is that Religion is any more a factor in that than anything else.
I’ll grant you there’s probably quasi-religious elements to more cults across history than not, mind. I guess its an easier path than most to abuse of power, if you can convince people and even more powerful entity is on your side
Not in my experience. All the christians I’ve known over the last decade have been lovely, welcoming and open. They do have their in-groups too of course, and my interests are particularly bohemian so we don’t socialise all that regularly, but honestly their religion only tends to come up if I ask about it. Otherwise they’re just as content as anyone else to come and see a movie or go for a walk or whatever.
Some of the old biddies at the church I grew up with were pretty judgmental though, but they’re all dead now. Everyone left is just… nice.
I only know Muslim parents through my kids school, because my kids best friend is Muslim, and the parents are perfectly happy with playdates with my secular kid. There are one or two cultural oddities - e.g. the mum won’t come over our house unless my SO is also home (but will meet me in public) but I’m not sure if that’s a Muslim thing or a Turkish thing.
The Jehovah’s Witness are pretty bad for all that… as are Scientologists, a load of cults, Elan Schools, and arguably even the military and manosphere. Many of these don’t necessarily bring religion into things.
Our shared objection is the human capacity for imposing power, subjugation and control of others. Where we differ is that Religion is any more a factor in that than anything else.
I’ll grant you there’s probably quasi-religious elements to more cults across history than not, mind. I guess its an easier path than most to abuse of power, if you can convince people and even more powerful entity is on your side
Every Christian and most any Islam sect is also guilty of building a highly judgmental and insanely insular “community”, too.
Not in my experience. All the christians I’ve known over the last decade have been lovely, welcoming and open. They do have their in-groups too of course, and my interests are particularly bohemian so we don’t socialise all that regularly, but honestly their religion only tends to come up if I ask about it. Otherwise they’re just as content as anyone else to come and see a movie or go for a walk or whatever.
Some of the old biddies at the church I grew up with were pretty judgmental though, but they’re all dead now. Everyone left is just… nice.
I only know Muslim parents through my kids school, because my kids best friend is Muslim, and the parents are perfectly happy with playdates with my secular kid. There are one or two cultural oddities - e.g. the mum won’t come over our house unless my SO is also home (but will meet me in public) but I’m not sure if that’s a Muslim thing or a Turkish thing.
Your experience is rare and you should cherish it, then.