Religion is a very sensitive issue. We are advised when dealing with people to avoid sex, politics and religion. However sometimes you'll be either sitting in a conversation, or overhear one, where someone feels they need to vent their frustrations on "those two-faced Christians" or "terrorist Muslims" or "cheap Jews" to use a few expressions I've heard. I have then seen the different reactions of the people who belong to those faiths: some take it quietly but you can see them cringing. Others leap up and begin a full-blown religious debate that turns what could have been a pleasant social into an uncomfortable stalemate, as religion is an argument no one can win, IMO.

Then you get the people who, for just the slightest joke or secular opinion, will get riled up and begin challenging you about your beliefs and theirs. And some who, when they find out what you believe in, will proceed to bash it down to your face. How do you react?

I have had the experience where a girlfriend of a friend refused to come to my house because I play "Satanic music" and I'm a "devil-worshipping witch" (I'm pagan, and don't believe in Satan). I normally let that just go over my head. Another experience was when a person, once discovering I was pagan, began a heated lecture about how I need to find God, and stop rebelling against Him, and pray to Jesus for forgiveness - in my own house. I had no idea how to react. I began by trying to defend myself, but in the end I just asked him to leave.

Please note that I'm not generalising here but the majority of people I've had problems with regarding my beliefs are Christians, though I'm in no way implying that they're all like that as I have many Christian friends who know what I am and have no problem with it. We have mutual respect for each others' religions, which is a rare thing these days.

So, have you ever encountered a situation like the ones mentioned above, and what is your view on "minding your Ps and Qs" regarding religion in a social environment?