Is it disrespectful/inappropriate to debate religion?

Question

I’m not religious at all I consider myself agnostic. I really have no interest in trying to make others around me agnostic and I respect whatever they believe in and don’t engage in debating them on it. I have been put down by my husbands family for not being Christian/ catholic, not going to church. Both me and my husband have been told by his mom that we are going to hell and they are going to heaven. 
They try and debate with us but we have no interest in debating it. His mom will ask where do you think we go after we die and I tell her my honest answer “I don’t know” she asks who do you think created us and this world I tell her “I don’t know” that is the truth I don’t know. It always concludes that I need to start going to church and learn or I’m going to hell. 
I never disrespect them on their beliefs but I constantly feel disrespected for mine. They have also said that when we have children that they will take them to church every Sunday if we refuse to. They will not tolerate grandchildren that don’t go to church and aren’t religious.

Answer

I’ve been in that situation. It’s so irritating.
I just try and ignore people.
Pushing religion is one of my pet peeves.

Answer

I would tell them “I wouldn’t tolerate my kids being told what to do by their grandparents who have no right to tell me how to raise them.” 🤷🏻‍♀️
What they’re doing isn’t a “debate” - it’s just putting other people down and being complete assholes. Anybody who is truly Christian or Catholic would never shove their beliefs down anybody’s throat because that’s NOT what the Bible teaches. 
So next time they open their mouths to spout their nastiness, ask them, “is that what how your god behaves? Is that how Jesus spoke to people? Your god preaches free will, and yet you are telling me and MY family how to act based on what YOU believe. Your god preaches love and yet you’re preaching hate.”

Answer

That’s not a debate. I’m Christian and am more than happy to debate different religions or my own. But, it should ALWAYS be respectful. The second you start to make unkind remarks and shove your beliefs (this is includes belief in God/Gods/sprits/whatever, or belief there is no God or anything in between) down the other persons throat it stops being a debate or discussion and starts being rude and not ok. 
I witnessed the reverse in my family growing up. My dad’s parents are atheist as are his siblings. His brother, SIL and parents were incredibly rude to my mum about her beliefs (and other things). It started when they first got together and didn’t stop until they nearly tore my parents marriage apart which would have seriously harmed their grandchildren. My dad’s brother told my dad that he was no longer his brother over this crap. My dad had to break with his family to make it stop- he told them when they were ready to apologize to his wife (my mum) then they knew how to reach him. They never reached out- my mum, the one who suffered through their BS for decades, did in the end to reconnect my dad with his parents before they died. But, my dad’s side of the family has no real contact with my mum anymore and all three of my brothers and myself do not speak to them either. One of my brothers is agnostic/atheist (were not really sure where he stands) and he won’t speak to them because of their nastiness to our mum. But he has very constructive discussions and debates with our immediate family and it’s great. 
You should be able to raise your kids however you want. You shouldn’t put up with this behaviour. It’s wrong. Your in-laws aren’t being very Christian at all! There’s a whole story in the bible telling us to not do exactly this! I will say, that if your husband is a believer then having your kids raised in the church may be important to him (it doesn’t sound like it but just in case). My dad is atheist actually, but because my mum is a strong believer and church was important to her, he supported that. My siblings and I could choose to believe or not. Also, if you’re agnostic then you’re questioning so looking into church/the bible/talking to a pastor or priest/etc might be helpful for you to make up your mind. Having actual discussions with believers about why they believe and talking about anything you’re questioning in the bible, practices, etc could be helpful. And that’s the kind of debate you want. That’s not rude at all. What your MIL is doing is rude. Down right rude and nasty. She’ll drive wedges between you and your husband and hurt your kids (as well as her own son) with this kind of behaviour. 
I really suggest you and your husband sit down and look for a way to resolve this. Maybe your husband talks to his parents about what’s happening in your family without you around as a target. He makes it clear what your family will be doing and it’s your choice (his and yours) not theirs. Put your foot down now. That’s the advice I’ve had from so many family members with in-laws from hell. Stop the behaviour quickly because it only gets worse

Answer

The situation you describe is not debate, it is passing judgment.
While I do have religious beliefs, I also logically understand that I can’t ‘prove’ that God exists any more then an agnostic person can ‘prove’ God doesn’t exist. It’s called having a faith for a reason. 
I think it’s possible to respectfully debate interpretations of the Bible or other religious text, or the impact of religion on society, but the topic of Gods existence being fact or fiction is a dead end and isn’t really helpful to anyone to engage in.

Answer

That’s not debating it’s harassing, and it’s not ok. I’ve had plenty of actual religious debates that have been fine, but it’s a time and place as well as mutual respect thing.

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Honestly... Lol I'd say "good at least it'll be warm." That's just me being petty .. lol

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I’ve been there too, it’s really annoying. Just keep treating them with respect and love your own life ❤️

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Definitely can be. 😳 If it’s a topic you really want to get into, both parties MUST have mutual respect for the other’s beliefs.

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Start disrespecting them and see how theyblike it. If you have told em to stop and they domt do it right back to them and maybe they will get the hint to shut up about it

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They won’t tolerate grandchildren that don’t go to church?......good riddance to them then, that’s what creates problems in children that takes years to work through in counseling. The guilt and the constant “I’m not good enough” attitude. I wouldn’t want those kinds of people in my children’s life. Sorry you are having to deal with that girl. It’s not okay

Is it disrespectful/inappropriate to debate religion?

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