General Etiquette > Life...in general

"Is it a religious thing?" (s/o alcohol thread)

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Slartibartfast:
The alcohol thread reminded me of something I'd been meaning to ask on here.  It's been a while since it's been an issue, but I'm curious to hear y'all's opinions.

I've got a few habits that are outside the mainstream but which happen to line up with various religious prohibitions - I don't drink alcohol (usually), I don't eat pork (except for bacon because seriously, who could possibly give up bacon?  :P), I usually avoid caffeine, etc.  Sometimes in the past when one of these come up, I get asked "Is it a religious thing?"

It's never really bothered me to be asked that, honestly, because for me it has nothing to do with religion.  (I don't like the taste - or the price! - of alcohol, I don't eat pigs for environmental reasons, and I have nearly no caffeine tolerance so it doesn't take much to make me jittery.)  However, sometimes I wonder about people who DO avoid common things for religious reasons.  Is it hard to explain?  Is the "is it for religious reasons?" question usually followed by someone trying to tell you your religion is stupid and/or wrong?  Or lots of intrusive questions about the details of your religious beliefs?

I guess it's not as much an etiquette issue as an etiquette talking point  :) but I'd love to hear from other eHellions who choose to abstain from whatever.  Is it a non-issue?

immadz:
I just say, yes. It has never been a problem for me. I have had a friend who was vegetarian for religious reasons who had meat sneaked to him though. I think the theory was that his was not a " true" religion.

Sharnita:
I would answer honestly.  I think most people would ask out of curiosity so once you answered it wouldn't go any further.  If your religious beliefs were ciritcized -  ::). The kind of person who would ask and then feel comfortable opening up is not somebody whose opinion I'd be likely to take seriously anyway. I'd probalby shrug and walk away.

LizC:
My religion does have certain dietary restrictions, but my answer is still generally, "Personal preference." Because, whether I'm following those guidelines for faith reasons or health reasons or environmental reasons, it's still my personal preference to do so.

kckgirl:
I do not drink alcoholic beverages at all, first and foremost because I can't stand the smell or taste, second because of religious views. It's not something I had to give up for religion's sake, but I would have. People still offer, and I just decline. Nobody has ever asked why, and they don't keep pushing when I say I don't want it.

Bacon? I could never give up bacon! But I had a change of taste a few years ago and most other pork no longer tastes good to me. I just cannot eat it.

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