> You know what I really, really hate? People trying to change my religious beliefs.

I personally don't really mind people who try to change my religious beliefs. What I do mind, however, is how they go about doing so. If someone tries to change my beliefs by ignoring any of my points and making unjustified statements themselves then, frankly, I really don't care to listen after a while...and no one has ever managed to change my beliefs using that sort of method before. Well, except maybe changing my belief about that particular person to "You're an idiot".

However, if the other person listens to what I'm saying and then disputes my points in a rational manner I have absolutely no problem with it whatsoever. In fact, I actually like such discussions because they allow me to re-analyze my own beliefs and see if they're still justifiable to myself. If they are, then such discussions merely act to strenthen my beliefs. If they aren't, then I try and figure out *why* they aren't. And if I figure that out, I can make my own beliefs better. In this way, I must say that I actually *like* attacks on my beliefs -- as long as they are logical and well thought out attacks, that is. Now, occasionally I may not be able to answer some attacks to the other person's satisfaction (although I try...and in doing so it forces me to think on my beliefs, which is never a bad thing), but as long as I can answer it to my own satisfaction that's good enough.

>Even if you think that whoever it is you're trying to change could not be more wrong, leave him alone. You really have no way of knowing how he got to that point...

Actually, I have to disagree with this one. It is possible to find out how a person got to their own beliefs...it just takes a very long time and involves talking with that person.

Now, I should note that do talk about my own beliefs a fair amount with a person who have beliefs that, well, differ from my own. And to figure out the "how" and "why" to her beliefs I do end up attacking them, just as she sometimes attacks my beliefs. But, what I believe to be important is the intent of the attacks. I don't attack her beliefs to try and change them. I attack them to try and her to explain them so that I can understand them myself. In fact, I *hate* changing other peoples beliefs as a result of things that I say. I like the other person to think about them and analyze them, yes, but not change them. After all, how can I really understand another person's belief I accidently change it midway though the conversation? That's why I'm glad the faith of the person whom I discuss my beliefs with now is as strong as it is. I can tell her all of my beliefs and even attack hers as much as I want and not have to worry about changing or breaking her beliefs!

I suppose what I'm saying with all of this is that it's not really the 'what' of the matter (People trying to change religious beliefs)that is the important thing...it's the intent and how they go about doing so. If one person tries to force their beliefs on another and completely ignores anything that the other person has to say, the 'conversation', if it can even be called that, is worthless. If done correctly, however, such conversations can contribute to a greater understanding of beliefs on *both* sides, even if the beliefs of those involved didn't change and even if disagreements remain.

I suppose it really depends on finding the right person to talk with.

-Ka"Well, that and finding time when neither of you are busy, I suppose"z!