Is there anyone here who is reluctant to share their religious and/or political beliefs? If so, why do you hold back? I put this under the category of Vizzed Community because these questions stemmed from my own fear of chatting in the Debate/Logic/News and the Christian Conservatives forums, but these questions can also extend to Cafe Corner, other websites, and even outside the Internet.

Let's face it. Many of us do not like to get into serious discussions that involve religion and politics for one (or more) several reasons. 1) We hate it when we are shown or at least appear to be incorrect. 2) We worry that the person we are arguing with (arguing is not the same as quarreling) may be ignorant and not give us the light of day. 3) Discussing big topics means we have to examine our own beliefs, and this can be painful.

Alright. I'll admit my own reasons. Examining my own beliefs is painful because I don't want to be wrong. I don't feel like I have learned enough to develop a good opinion and I am afraid that anything I say could be torn apart by those who disagree.

So... any reason why you hold back? Regardless if yes or no, do you have any advice for me and others to help combat these fears?

I have no fear of that because i dont think i am wrong.
Il say right here,im an atheist.
And il say something that many people wouldnt say on an american dominated site.
I am a socialist.
You shouldnt fear admiting these things because youre not being yourself,youre hiding it to fit in with what you feel societys view is. You should be an individual,and be open about what makes you you.
If you are afraid of being wrong you dont really believe it,same for not knowing enough.
Research these things so you do feel you know enough.
I argue against the logic of capitalism.of communism.even religion. Because i have researched all these things and decided my arguments were substantialy supported.
Many christians have done this in support of there religion,and generaly think they are right.but i think i am right.someons always going to be wrong,and someones always going to think youre wrong about whatever,to feel justified and confident about something,just study it.
I looked at communism,examined its effects,and so if i debate with a communist,i can actualy give valid replys.
So yeh,make yourself feel you know enough.
Im assuming thats why when we've debated you've quite often dropped it?its 50% knowledge,50% confidence in your knowledge.you've got to show you believe it or you'll never get anyone else to.

Not exactly. I would not say I'm afraid of posting in those forums, persay, but I simply think my non-religious belief does not match in those forums, considering I am an atheist.

Although I would talk about politics, but I really do not give a crap about the government or who's trying to win the election and stuff. Politicians lie. They can give us all the sweet promises he or she can make, but no, it'll never happen if he or she is elected to be President or PM.

I do have advice to combat those fears, though... It's not about being confident, but it's about being sure in your beliefs. If you think it's right, then go ahead, post in the most dangerous forum in Vizzed! (Good luck, you'll need it.)

In all seriousness, though, I think you should just back off on those kind of forums (in exception of Cafe Corner, I frequent there too.) because those forums can kind of give you a bad reputation quickly, or stuff like that. (My opinion!)

I have no problem giving my religious opinion, but I stay out of religious debate. My reason for this is because I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinions and interpretations. I am a Christian, but I am not conservative (as contradicting as that might sound to some). I don't want to try to convince someone that they are wrong and I am right in religious beliefs. I also know that there is nothing I can say to persuade someone if I did want to, so there is no point. I like the agree to disagree concept. I prefer that both sides can keep their beliefs and not prosecute others for different ones. Religion is based on faith, which is believing in something with no tangible proof. Everyone's religion is the same in that nobody has more than their own holy scripture as evidence. So what gives me the right to say others are wrong when I have no more proof than them? That is my reason. I'll give my opinion, but I will not argue in a debate on religious grounds. 

Politics, on the other hand, is different. That is meant to be debated. But in the end, I only participate when it is civil. When those in the debate start resorting to insults and personal attacks, it is no longer a political debate, it is children fighting. As long as there is mutual respect, then it can be fun.

I'm not really afraid to share about my general, religious opinions I just don't like the bad comments that people tend to say.

I am not afraid of expressing my beliefs & opinions about politics, and religion. I respect the choices people make even if they are not something I would do, or believe in. For me though before I ever do decide to make a post I better have it thought out since I myself am not exactly sure how I feel or think about certain things...

I hold back a ton of religious opinions when talking to my parents about religion. My parents are quite religious, and the only religious beliefs they want me to have is Christian ones. The last time I mentioned how I thought evolution was possible, my parents flipped out. Told my mom I was agnostic once, and she acted like I was drinking underage. They aren't insane in how they believe, they just want me to have good morals. The problem is, they sorta make me reluctant to believe in any religion.

I keep my religious beliefs to myself around family just because my family is pretty religious on both sides. They would accept me still, but I'd rather not get into an argument. I also keep my political opinions to myself just because... Politics are the oldest way to attempt trolling  a conversation. My opinions on many things a lot of Christians get angry over could be controversial, so I just keep them to myself.

I'm not really as afraid to express my political and religious ideas, beliefs, and opinion as I am uninterested in sharing them. Religion and politics are the easiest topics to bring up if you want to anger someone, which makes the topics extremely hard for me to find tangible. I also don't want my parents becoming scared that all media could be brainwashing me. I doubt they'd think that, but better safe than sorry.

I am mildly religious, but I don't like talking about religion. I'm highly uncaring of politics, and go by one sentence when it comes to politics, "Nothing out a politician's mouth is ever truth."

I used to post in the Christian Conservative board, but it just made me confused. I only post there sometimes since my beliefs could be angering for some.

I actually do this on Vizzed a lot. The real reason is because I am just too lazy to get into a debate with people. I don't want to sit there arguing my beliefs with someone because I pretty much know exactly where I stand - arguing about it with someone else is not going to accomplish anything. Unless someone is imposing their superstitions on me, in which case I am not afraid to offend them since they decided to start with me... I don't really care to talk about religion. I'm not afraid to tell someone my beliefs if they specifically ask me about them, either.

I'm vegan, which is a pretty unpopular thing with most people since they often seem to feel I am questioning their lifestyle choices and morality just by being one. I don't talk about it with most people because I know can happen when I do mention it.

In a nutshell, although I am not apologetic and I have absolute conviction in what I stand for, I don't want to constantly cause drama in my life.

Well I get trolled like a f***ing b**** in the chat room whenever I say just about anything I see that is right. I am christian big woop, troll my ass for it I really do not care. I will say what I believe is right and you will hate me for it, that is even said in the Bible not the exact wording but Jesus said it. Of course I would have had about 100 people tell me I am wrong by now because they do not agree. Though this site is much more friendly to that kind of stuff. I share almost all of what I believe if you do not like it guess what, I do not care. Want to argue you will not find one here.

For me, the biggest reason is that I simply hate getting in fights, and those topics tend to start fights. I guess the second biggest reason though is when the person you're talking to is so sure of their viewpoint that they don't even listen to the logic of your argument at all. That's frustrating.