It's not that I mind explaining things that have been asked. But in general, I don't like being boxed. I feel that once people know about my religion, they will not be as open and trusting in approaching me, that they have stereotypes and ideas of their own of how I "must" be, they censor themselves more, they make assumptions - basically, they begin to react to their preconceived ideas about me rather than actually reacting to the way I am treating them. And I like for people to be open with me (unless they are just toxic or extremely vulgar/negative). I "slipped up" and alluded to my religion just a couple of times at work, and I regretted it. I would like to keep it quite private - like I don't mind people knowing my religion, but I don't want it to be a topic of conversation, I don't want them to be thinking about it much when they are interacting with me. I want to get to know them without that obstacle. I want them to get to know me without that obstacle. I hope from now on I can keep it private and feel comfortable again. As Aspies I think we are especially prone to straying from our intentions socially, so I can accept this about myself, but I really want to stay within my comfort zone as much as I can. I am trying to make an effort at work to make as many (nice) people as comfortable with me as possible.
Even when people do ask me questions about my religion, I think things can get awkward because it is one of my special interests - I highly value accuracy when discussing any religion, and most people don't have this special interest - and I think they get uncomfortable with the length to which I will go in making sure I am very clear in explaining something. In that sense, I also prefer to discuss my religion with others of the same faith, then we can go in depth quite quickly without misunderstandings - similar to others may feel about their own special interests.
Additionally...since religion is a special interest of mine, again, I really like for people to discuss their own religious beliefs openly with me, particularly if they are a member of a religion that I have studied before or find interesting. I feel they are more likely to do that when they don't know my own religion and have preconceived ideas of me.
As with all of my blog entries, I write things down to get ideas out and loosen things up inside, it allows for new ways of thinking about these same things. So maybe getting this out on "paper" will give me new ways to think about discussing my religion (or not). For example, maybe if people do know my religion, then they will have the chance to question any preconceived notions they may have had as they get to know me.
Even when people do ask me questions about my religion, I think things can get awkward because it is one of my special interests - I highly value accuracy when discussing any religion, and most people don't have this special interest - and I think they get uncomfortable with the length to which I will go in making sure I am very clear in explaining something. In that sense, I also prefer to discuss my religion with others of the same faith, then we can go in depth quite quickly without misunderstandings - similar to others may feel about their own special interests.
Additionally...since religion is a special interest of mine, again, I really like for people to discuss their own religious beliefs openly with me, particularly if they are a member of a religion that I have studied before or find interesting. I feel they are more likely to do that when they don't know my own religion and have preconceived ideas of me.
As with all of my blog entries, I write things down to get ideas out and loosen things up inside, it allows for new ways of thinking about these same things. So maybe getting this out on "paper" will give me new ways to think about discussing my religion (or not). For example, maybe if people do know my religion, then they will have the chance to question any preconceived notions they may have had as they get to know me.
