You are talking to a stranger wearing a cross. Is it OK to mention a documentary about biology?

[Boojatta]

[uppityperson]

1. Of course it is. Not everyone wearing a cross is a narrowmindedcretin fundamentalist.

And even if that one is, oh well. They can deal with it.

[MADem]

2. Who are you having the conversation with? Some idiot, or someone with a discerning mind? NT

[amandabeech]

37. The person is a stranger.

You don't know what they're really like.

That's a cue to stay off the subject.

[MADem]

59. Yep, unless you're precinct walking or dialing for voters, it's best to stay away

from the third rails of religion and politics.

And biology is religion to some folks!

[seabeyond]

3. this is getting to the point of being stupid. what is the percentage of christian in u.s.?

80 somethin, 79? lets say 80. there are not 80% fundamentalist christian in this nation, nor 80% republicans in this nation. a good 40% of those christians are democrats and a larger number of those christians are not fundamentalist

to suggest that if you are christian or wear a cross a person is opposed to science?

just absurd

[Boojatta]

4. What if you and the stranger are somewhere other than America

and you haven't consulted the statistics in that place?

[seabeyond]

6. i really dont worry conversing with anyone about anything.

i have an unique way of interacting with another on various subjects without causing offense because i do it in good intent. and thankfully, that ALWAYS comes across. i just have more faith, in people, and myself.

[axollot]

76. Thank you - very well said and I would agree - I can talk to anyone! n/t

[uppityperson]

10. and what if you and the stranger

are in a dark alley late at might, with the stranger holding a knife on you?
"What if" blech. I think most of us are answering like we encountered this person in a normal day, in our normal environment.

[RedCappedBandit]

8. Suggesting that christianity is opposed to science is absurd?

lolz

[uppityperson]

9. Yes. There is a certain group of outspoken fundies that are, but most aren't.

[RedCappedBandit]

20. It is beyond me...

how one can claim to support both religion and science. The two contradict each other. :shrug:

[uppityperson]

21. It depends on how one defines religion.

If you mean religion is the big daddy in the sky who made everything and we are here to worship him, that is a bit limited though some do believe that. If you mean thinking of a wise man/woman (like Jesus) who tried to live right and you try to also do so as you think they did, then I see no problem.

[RedCappedBandit]

27. True.. but then..

following the example of a wise man doesn't really strike me as religion. I do see your point, though..

[uppityperson]

29. As I said, it depends on your definition of religion.

I've been told I am/am not a christian, depending upon the speaker's view of christianity. I've been told I am/am not spiritual, am/am not religious, all depending upon the speaker's definition of those term. My religion, my spirituality, or lack thereof, us private, between me and whomever I chose to share it with, not most people.

[Zynx]

25. Not necessarily.

You can put together a non-dogmatic belief system that does not deny science fairly easily.

[RedCappedBandit]

81. Yes - you can..

but Christianity is not such a belief system.

[axollot]

78. They contradict each other?

Only to those that are closed minded. I personally LOVE watching shows on History or Discovery when they try to explain the plagues and how Moses got everyone out of Egypt. I mean, if there is a God - wouldn't he use his OWN creation, which we study through science to do those things? Makes sense to me.....and I'm really not religous at all. More "cultrual" and "family traditional" religous. :shrug:

Cheers
Sandy

[RedCappedBandit]

79. Yes.

God is not a scientific term. There is no evidence to his existence, nor is there any evidence that such a being has had any influence on anything that has ever occurred. If one wants to think God uses "his creation" to do his bidding, and science can explain that creation, thats fine; however, it is not a scientific approach in any way. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

[seabeyond]

82. no one is suggesting god = science. you are off course. god does not have to fit into science

and... a person can believe in god and still believe science. two seperate.

[RedCappedBandit]

83. Exactly. Separate. God does not fit into science.

They contradict each other. The fact that people believe in god and science simultaneously is irrelevant.

[seabeyond]

84. i dont see that they contradict each other. and though it may be irrelevant, per op... it seems

to be exactly relevant hence this whole thread. if a person is wearing a cross, do you talk science. as if a cross stops a person from believing science, which is utter bullshit.

[RedCappedBandit]

87. True. In regards to the OP, I agree with you

[spoony]

51. Yes, it is. Remarkably so.

[RedCappedBandit]

80. Care to elaborate?

[spoony]

89. Examples off the top of my head

Pioneer of the heliocentric model of the universe...Christian cleric.
Father of genetics...Christian cleric.
Originator of the Big Bang Theory...Christian cleric.
Developer of calculus and classical physics...devout Christian.

So, in short, it is remarkably stupid to claim that "Christianity" as an entity is against science. If it were not for these men attempting to better understand their God's universe, modern science would not be where it is today.

[trof]

5. My cousin is a devout Christian and a biology teacher.

But not a fundie.

[SoCalDem]

7. If that person is a stranger, why not get to know them before

you suggest tv programs to them:P

Most people talking to strangers, prefer to make small talk about non-controversial stuff .

I can't see any reason to want to engage strangers in political conversation..:)

[uppityperson]

12. What if you are at a party and just met them?

What if they are a new workmate? But what if they are robbing you? Since op started playing "what if", I thought I might join in also.

Seems it depends on the situation.

[SoCalDem]

13. I'm an oldster, but I would never just meet someone and start with controversy

or religion..

Every party I have been to, has offered plenty to talk about, without those issues..

kids
jobs
weather
stuff going on in your town
silly ooutfits that other people are wearing :P

[seabeyond]

14. and i go into the nitty gritty of it. and still fair well, lol lol. further

i have people that actually will start it with people who dont know me. so.... ask seabeyond about bush, the war, republicans.... i tell hubby, but but but... i didnt start it, lol.

strangers everywhere

it is fun and not traumatic. generally all come away with differing opinions yet respectful of one another.

[Dorian Gray]

57. I agree here

but I disagree that a documentary about BIOLOGY would be controversial. Why would it be controversial? How could it be? It would only be to the most closed minded idiot out there, and though there are some christians who are probably closed minded idiots, most aren't.

[lumpy]

11. There are so many people who wear crosses as a piece of

jewelry and have no clue what Christianity is about.

[jody]

15. Yes but not "to a stranger bearing a cross". n/t

[edhopper]

16. Oh, you GD people, you have no idea.

Come over to the Religion Forum and see the true glory of some of Boojatta's thread/polls.
They are a wonder to behold.

[seabeyond]

18. ahhhhhhh. so a person pointing finger at christian, playing their own games.

hm

well, could have been more clever in poll. cause it was really really stupid

[Lars39]

19. Like bugs under a microscope, so are the days of DU.

:)

[uppityperson]

22. Been noticing them in GD today.

Not that I'd call it manipulative, but

[uppityperson]

28. Fun to sort of author of OP there. I liked the "is this chicken kosher" one.

eyeroll

[Chovexani]

92. I was wondering who let him out of his cage.

You guys need tighter security in there (or more chicken wire).

[glowing]

17. depends on who you are talking to.. I wouldn't think too many people

would just walk up to a stranger in America these days and start talking about a documentary... That sounds a bit odd.. So, its really a strange thing to do.. I'd look at you funny if you did so.. Also, I have a cross and crosses on my wedding ring.. But I'm a lover of ideas and life.. my basis of discovery started in Christianity.. but I find many other paths extremely insightful and appreciate all people's and their beliefs.. I don't like fundies.. I think there are many paths to define one's self in this world...

[undeterred]

23. The question is insulting.

I am a christian who worked in medical research for 10 years and taught at the college level for two. Are you smart enough to have a conversation with me? That's the question I would ask myself.

[seabeyond]

24. from what i am told, seems this is the intent. to be insulting. i see

it merely as stupid

[Boojatta]

30. You didn't say whether or not you wear a cross.

If you don't wear and haven't worn a cross, then it's difficult to see how the question applies to you.

I imagine that there have been people who opposed the idea of evolution who spent more than 10 years working in medical research, especially when a majority of medical researchers and medical professors considered evolution to be a controversial hypothesis. (I know, I'm not talking about recent history, but I am talking about actual history.)

You might take a quick look at this thread:
Should you offer pork to a woman who is wearing a hijab and reading a Koran?

For some issues, there are two sides and any examination of one side will provoke accusations of insensitivity, while any examination of the other side will provoke accusations that one is being insulting. In this thread, I didn't even conduct an investigation. I simply solicited opinions.

[Zynx]

26. I think it is rude to go up to people you don't know and ask them to see something

they may find offensive.

[tkmorris]

31. Biology is offensive?

Really?

[Boojatta]

32. No, but they might nevertheless take offense.

It seems to be a question of probability.

[Zynx]

35. No, but a documentary with a particular slant might be. For example, I don't think

it would be polite to solicit someone to watch Richard Dawkins.

[Solon]

43. Where do you draw the line? If I told someone they should watch...

for example, "Walking with Dinosaurs" on the Discovery Channel or "The Universe" on The History Channel, or any number of shows and movies on scientific subjects. All of them have a "slant" so to speak, and that's the fundamental fact that the Earth, the Animals on it, and the Universe are billions of years old. Is it somehow wrong to try to dispel someone's ignorance on a subject?

[seabeyond]

44. the questions is.... does EVERYONE who wears a cross have a problem

with science. that is the stupid about the question asked. the heavily strong majority of christians (assuming the cross wearer is christian) has issue with science, or evolution. and that is a bullshit and incorrect assumption. to say the very least. certainly uninformed and uneducated and unaware.

[Boojatta]

46. "the question is.... does EVERYONE who wears a cross"

Which question is "the question"?

[Quantess]

65. Absolutely!

Doesn't anyone have social skills around here?

[BlooInBloo]

33. OMG - what could be more fun than that?

[Brigid]

34. If you saw me in person, you'd see that I wear a small crucifix.

Does that mean I'm anti-science? Hardly.

[seabeyond]

41. evil ... bad... this person is in essense criticizing people for small minded as they do that and

more. really kinda funny that the whole point of the op is to show the closed minded christian, yet being so very shallow and closed minded themselves as to paint all people that wear a cross to be anti science....

hm

[Boojatta]

45. "the whole point of the op is to show the closed minded christian"

I don't recall either claiming that Christians are closed-minded or providing any argument to support such a claim.

[seabeyond]

47. to suggest there may be issue between science and person wearing a cross

is certainly suggesting christians are closed minded in their doctrines beliefs of evolution vs bible or whatever pretext you are bringing science into it. which leads one to believe you are the one closed minded about christians, if you believe the mere wearing of a cross means a person is resistant to science.

[Boojatta]

52. First, I'm not convinced that there's a strong connection between

wearing a cross and actually being a Christian.

Second, if it's not okay to ask "is it OK...?" because that question suggests "maybe it's not OK", then I anticipate some paradoxes soon.

[amandabeech]

36. How about , "No. It would be incredibly rude and my mother brought me up better than that."

No manners!

Sheesh.

[Boojatta]

39. Some people consider it rude to consider the hypothesis that

there's a serious risk of offending a stranger who wears a cross if one mentions a documentary about biology.

Other people consider it rude to mention a documentary about biology to a stranger who wears a cross.

[Solon]

42. How is it rude to spread knowledge?

Granted I'm assuming the Biology documentary is about established scientific consensus on some major subject of biology. Perhaps something along the lines of "Walking with Dinosaurs" by the BBC, or perhaps other biological subjects. How would it be rude to encourage people to watch educational movies or programs?

[amandabeech]

54. In answer to your question, when you're not a friend of the person

it is considered impolite to raise conversational topics. It is also impolite to raise conversational topics that a friend has told you that such friend is not interested in discussing.

Really, though, you knew that all along, didn't you?

You had your fun with your post.

Now, go bother your mother.

[seabeyond]

55. Now, go bother your mother.

lordy... that sounds just like a mother. that was so smooth and funny

[amandabeech]

62. I'm only imitating my mother!

I'll give her your commendations.

[Boojatta]

58. How do two people ever become friends if neither raises conversational topics?

when you're not a friend of the person it is considered impolite to raise conversational topics.

[amandabeech]

63. Easy. You just start slowly. n/t

[Boojatta]

69. When you say "start slowly", do you mean that two people

on the road to friendship perform slapstick sight gags, make sound effects, and practice the performance art known as "mime"?

[amandabeech]

70. I've said enough.

My sense of humor is waning, so I'll just say good-bye and good luck.

[datasuspect]

67. science is controversial?

maybe in 1255 it was.

i don't think discussing biology is controversial.

[EFerrari]

38. I try not to be intimidated by fashion accessories.

:)

[tomreedtoon]

40. No. I want to LIVE, dammit!

I don't believe in antagonizing people who are just waiting to kill people like me. I'll never get through their propaganda no matter what I do. Just shut up and try to live your life, and stop trying to prove what a grand political hero you are.

[The Straight Story]

48. We should never talk to anyone as we may offend them. Including posting here

:)

[petronius]

49. None of the above - the presence of a cross would have no bearing

on the topics that I would mention, so long as they were relevant to the context and direction of our conversation. A religious symbol would not lead my to either avoid or bring up any particular topics...

[Fumesucker]

50. It depends on the circumstances and your intentions..

An hours long conversation on a bus, train or airplane versus a few moments in passing at a party.

The turns a conversation might take depending on the interests of the people involved and their level of knowledge of various subjects.

Your intentions when you bring up the subject of biology.

[MissMarple]

53. Have at.... use your judgment. I assume you have judgment capability?

Of course you do. I have full confidence you will do the right thing.

[Dorian Gray]

56. Of course

I wear a cross often, and you could always mention said documentary to me without causing anguish or grief or frustration. I'd be very interested in it.

[Elspeth]

60. Like a documentary on how long it takes for the chest of a crucified person to collapse?

That there would be related to biology, and would give some insight on how short a time Jesus was on that cross.

[Greyhound]

61. "The trick is to realize that there is no spoon" n/t

[L. Coyote]

64. Not sure. Talk astronomy instead. The Pope said the earth orbits the sun,

so now we can all talk about that again. :rofl:

Seriously, meanings for such generic symbols vary too much by individuals to determine conversation.
It is a well-established understanding in anthropology that symbol and meaning do not share the same boundaries.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

66. Your Ridiculously Stupid Poll Question Reeks Of Ignorance.

What an absolutely retarded premise.

[Boojatta]

72. What's the premise?

Also, do you think that any of the responses posted in this thread (responses to the Original Post) "reek of ignorance"?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

74. Sure. Some Of Them. Not As Bad As The OP Itself Though.

[TZ]

68. Considering I work with people who wear crosses from time to time

and I *am* a biologist, I would never let that be a factor.

[ismnotwasm]

71. Of course

A cross itself may signify nothing more than a piece of jewelry. I work as a nurse and many of my co-workers are
Christan. They respect the fact that I'm not (there might be one or two who have consigned me to hell, I dunno) and they certainly aren't anti-biology. Biology is what we work with.

[Javaman]

73. Yup and in fact I would bring up Charles Darwin just for the hell of it. nt

[axollot]

75. This is pretty lame though.....

I wear a gold cross sometimes but believe in evolution - it's the one my eldest son wore while getting baptized. My kids go to Catholic school too and get an excellent education (in-laws pay for it, we couldn't afford it). A cross doesn't mean "closed for discussion, must be right wing" thats total bullshit.

Cheers
Sandy

[Indenturedebtor]

77. It is your duty

Science is not a religion. Religion can almost be said to be the lack of science.

More science = good.

[Kitty Herder]

85. People wearing crosses aren't interested in biology?

[frogcycle]

86. somebody has far too much time on their hands n/t

[Yurovsky]

88. Are we talking jewelry/necklace cross or big wooden cross (a la Easter in the Phillipines)

just wondering.

I've got a crazy neighbor who carries a big wooden one on a street corner and uses a megaphone to preach. Always reminds me of the guys I used to see in the PI (back in the '70s) who would have themselves NAILED to a cross (a la Jesus) to "celebrate" Easter.

I wouldn't worry about trying to educate somebody who's sanity is in doubt. If they seem normal and just wear a crucifix, I doubt they'll be offended. Avoid my neighbor though. He's about a sammich short of a pic-a-nic.

[bluedawg12]

90. For the record: The Catholic church accepts evolution

with out being in conflcit with scripture.

[Chovexani]

91. The hell does wearing a cross have to do with anything?

Hell, I'm as Pagan as they come and I've been known to wear crosses when I'm all gothed out, because they look cool. And I kind of have a soft spot for JC.

There's an awful lot of assuming going on in that question. Shit, even back when I identified as a full blown born again Christian, I had no beef with science and accepted evolution as God's way of getting things done. I was not alone in that view, either, to the chagrin of my pastor.