It’s certainly a sticky thorn. Not talking about religion doesn’t necessarily keep religion from guiding things like law and society. It is also not feasible to some degree for some people to avoid completely, at some point religion can become so central to a persons life or logic that if they exclude any mention or reference that they either can say little or what they say won’t make any sense. Take for example a debate about an issue where someone’s convictions come from religion. They say no to the issue and you say yes. Stalemate. Their reason is because religion. You can’t debate the logic of an issue to try and come to a conclusion if their logic is based in religion and requires citation etc. and they can’t all about religion. It’s a closed convo- “I vote no.” “Why” “meh. No.” You can’t really go anywhere. Once you know it’s religion you might but probably can’t logic around it, but if you know page 800 of their book says you can’t do that on a Tuesday without a penguin present,
You may be able to compromise by including a penguin or moving it to a Thursday. The other major thing that is hard to grapple with, and religion is very triggering for many people so many reject the cold logic of this, most religious people think religion is awesome. Harry Potter. Imagine someone just discovered Harry Potter or has been re reading the series their whole life. They’ve traveled to the locations the book was written at by the author or where the movies were filmed. They go every so many years to Harry Potter world park or whatever. They buy Harry Potter merchandise and they quote the book or say little phrases from it sort of like how “sus” from among us became a thing etc. So this person is going to go to a party or whatever You will see Potter in their clothes or accessories. They can’t really talk about their weekend or trip without potter. When they talk about their perspectives or experiences they might mention or relate to passages from Harry Potter. And above all
They probably really like Harry Potter and will ask people if they’ve read it or seen it. If they haven’t they may try to convince them to or tell them they should or talk about how great it is. That’s kinda normal. It can be annoying, and there is a big difference between telling someone “I think you’d like this, check it out..” and pestering them constantly until they want nothing to do with you or cave in.
That said- it’s pretty normal right? If someone finds something they like or that works for them, they tend to want to share it. And when it comes to religion it’s more than just liking it for most people, they believe that is helps, that it is “healthy.” If someone discovered a vitamin or “miracle fruit” that could elevate mood and reduce stress and have all these benefits they experienced from it, they probably would want to share it, bring that to everyone. Your pal that it in Olympic shape might see your other friend who sits on the couch eating junk food all day and out…
.. of concern for them, say “hey, come for a walk with me.” If they really care they may even say: “I won’t take no for an answer. I’m going to get you to come at least once, so the sooner you do it the sooner I can stop bothering you…” or something like that. Because they feel healthy and things are going well for them and ever since they started their routine they have been happier and self better and experienced all these benefits in other areas and they see someone who is “unhealthy” and seems to be suffering and they believe they have just the thing to help. And… they might? Or not.
Sometimes for some people All it takes is one walk and then a person starts walking regularly and it does help change their life for the better. Other times a persons road to a “better” life isn’t walking- maybe it doesn’t involve being more “healthy” in that way at all. Maybe they still eat junk and sit around but discover painting or music etc. and that fulfills them and they are fine even if they
are not in the best physical shape. They feel good and like their life without that. So that’s religion. Some people can feel happier and see improvements to their life through religion. Some don’t need or feel a loss from not having a religious or even spiritual life. Some people don’t want it or need it, they can get similar benefits from doing community service or playing board games with friends. That’s ok. The point there is that talking about religion is maybe less the problem than being pushy about religion or not respecting that not everyone wants religion or believes in it. If you want to tell your friend or some person you met at the store about your favorite game or movie or whatever, that your diet plan really made you feel great or powerlifting changed your whole life, or that you think a cow in the moon created earth in 1972 and everything before that is an illusion the cow created to trick non believers or whatever….
I mean that’s probably fine. It’s not fine to keep going when they aren’t interested or to keep pushing them when they tell you they don’t want to do or believe what you want. To keep pestering them if they reject your recommendations. We get excited when we like things and we want to share. That’s actually kinda cute and sweet. Trying to share a cake isn’t the same as forcing it down someone’s throat while they tell you they are allergic to your cake or are full or don’t like cake. It’s not so different from asking someone out, ask when it is appropriate and they aren’t “trapped,” be polite and considerate, and if they say no… NO MEANS NO. Move on. Don’t be an ideology creeper.
That said- it’s pretty normal right? If someone finds something they like or that works for them, they tend to want to share it. And when it comes to religion it’s more than just liking it for most people, they believe that is helps, that it is “healthy.” If someone discovered a vitamin or “miracle fruit” that could elevate mood and reduce stress and have all these benefits they experienced from it, they probably would want to share it, bring that to everyone. Your pal that it in Olympic shape might see your other friend who sits on the couch eating junk food all day and out…
Sometimes for some people All it takes is one walk and then a person starts walking regularly and it does help change their life for the better. Other times a persons road to a “better” life isn’t walking- maybe it doesn’t involve being more “healthy” in that way at all. Maybe they still eat junk and sit around but discover painting or music etc. and that fulfills them and they are fine even if they