- presented in a generalized manner... obviously, there exists religious people who are not touchy about this... but in my experience so far, they are rare... 

I really don't care if someone is religious or not... but I don't feel I can be open with a religious person because what can I say?  I don't understand what they believe... but doesn't mean I have hate...   

to be clear, my beliefs are not ones I wish to convince others of... to change other people's beliefs is not something I'd ever care to do... but if you're going to talk to me about it, my views are going to be different... there's no going around that fact... 

The standard seems to be

That the religious can waffle

On about their love of God

To everyone and anyone,

Whether they are believers

Or not, and the non religious

Have to tolerate in silence

So as to not cause offense

With their opposing views.

I wonder why the religious

Can't seem to realize the

Offense they are causing

To the non religious with

Their insistance on talking

About something that means

Absolutely nothing to them,

Plus expect no opposing views

To be voiced in response.

Why is it ok for the religious

To not take into account other

People's thoughts and feelings?

(Like theirs has more value?)

Why is it when the non religious

Voice their opposing views as

Passionately as the religious do,

It's an affront or an expression

Of hate on their part to do so?

Can we not agree that both sides

Are entitled to their opinions?

Can we not agree that opposing

Views don't mean disrespect?

And can we not agree that both

Sides should feel free to talk?

My experience as a non religious

Person with religious people has

Always left awkward feelings.

It's a topic that can never be discussed,

But it's always being discussed one-sided.

I cannot respond to what the religious

Say as there is no clear invitation to do so.

My responses would not be in line with

What they express my way, so to not be

Contrary, I stay quiet for fear of causing

Hurt; I should not be feeling this way,

But that's what happens every time.

The standard seems to be that they

Can go on and on about it, not taking

Into account anyone's feelings about it,

While those who disagree, must not

Do the same 'cause that's upsetting to

Them.  Like what they do isn't upsetting

To those who totally reject such notions,

But more importantly, it's the inconsideration,

Lack of respect toward others that is more.

Expecting respect without giving any...

For my part, I find this 'standard' irritating.