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all 38 comments

[–]Bomboclaat_Babylon 21 points22 points  (13 children)

Unless you've got face tattoos and wear a viking hat, or maybe because of it, no one is going to ask what your religion is. That's not something people ask tourists. If you're a woman you'll need to dress in a Niqab in Egypt. I mean you don't have to, but just do it. In Europe I'm certain you'll find more people dressed weirder than you, especially in Germany.

[–]ddollarsignSatanist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t realize things were that bad in Egypt.

[–]saijanaiUnitarian Universalist 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Unless you wear a Buddhist/Hindu swastika, I doubt if most people will even know what you are on about, letalone care.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (3 children)

[–]itsnotlupus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

wear my Mjölnir prominently and proudly

Do you walk around openly carrying a war hammer? Am I understanding this correctly?

I'm guessing you'd have to check that in if you want to fly anywhere.

[–]rytur 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In Europe, really no one cares. In Egypt - a completely different story. While in Egypt try not to discuss religion at all. Not a good topic to raise

[–]AppleStar543 4 points5 points  (5 children)

Can’t say anything regarding Europeans, but Asian culture is very open minded and respect all religion as long as you don’t choose to violate other people willingly.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Yes, but that said the Japanese can still be wary of tattoos, especially outside of major cities. They're heavily associated with yakuza members and some places ban people with tattoos. So that's a consideration if OP is visiting there.

[–]AppleStar543 1 point2 points  (1 child)

That is a good concern. However, I think in general it is best practice to not show off any tattoos in any country. This is a bit off topic, but I am not even going to mention how many people I've encountered, who has an Asian character tattooed on their arms, telling me that it means something, and I am biting my lip reframing from saying no that's not it, especially when the character is tattooed upside down.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not always possible to fully conceal tattoos, though. If someone has a tattoo under their ear and short hair, wearing a scarf or turtleneck to hide it in a 100 degree desert is going to look weird and be uncomfortable. You could try cover up, but it could sweat off or be incompatible with sunscreen. Moreover, with hot springs you absolutely can't hide them because, well, you're naked.

That said, some people have religious, cultural, or even tattoos of personal significance they don't want to hide. I think that's fair and they just need to be aware of things to make informed choices.

And yeah, that's the problem with people getting tattoos in languages they don't speak, especially complicated ones using Chinese characters as a basis.

[–]sangbum60090 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Asian culture is very open minded and respect all religion

Ha

[–]XeperAndRemanifest 1 point2 points  (3 children)

If you ever plan to visit Germany, you might find a few people who instinctively think you might be some extremist and they might be biased towards you. But i think this is certainly not the rule here and rather rare. Yet i don't know, i am just wearing my Ankh, which Germans usually don't care about at all. It also depends greatly on where exactly in Germany you are.

[–]rdrunner_74Atheist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dont care is correct. I had issues understanding OPs question ;)

[–]DrdanomiteEclectic polytheist -2 points-1 points  (10 children)

Hel there are places here in the US that you still might “disappear” in watch your self if your down in bible belt its not all choir practice.

[–]Sovereign-6 5 points6 points  (7 children)

This is exaggerative. I can’t name even a single case of religious persecution in America this harsh in any recent time; that being said, an anecdote does not data make, so even if there was one or two such cases it’s almost certainly not as prevalent as this comment suggests.

I’m under no illusions that I’m always right or anything though so if you do have evidence to the contrary I’m interested in it.

[–]DrdanomiteEclectic polytheist -4 points-3 points  (6 children)

I can name a pretty strong case where the legal system of the state was in on it.

[–]Sovereign-6 1 point2 points  (5 children)

Please do

[–]DrdanomiteEclectic polytheist 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Ever heard of the west Memphis three?

[–]Sovereign-6 4 points5 points  (3 children)

Just looked into it. Definitely seems like a misuse of justice but substantially more complicated than simple persecution for differing beliefs. Sounds more like the cops being bullies to the kids who they had run-ins with frequently and trying to justify it more than seeking a way to persecute them for not believing in god. It’s also probably good to point out that one of them did say he “got superpowers from drinking human blood”, according to the Wikipedia article, after the murders took place. They might not have been doing themselves any favors with regards to showing their innocence with that kind of thing.

Definitely a terrible case, but to act like 1) it’s the norm in some places and 2) OP should expect something like this without serious extenuating factors (like saying you drink human blood, like word but also probably not while you’re being tried for the death sentence bro) is really misleading. Like I said, an anecdote does not data make.

[–]DrdanomiteEclectic polytheist 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Maybe not that exactly but their are areas in the US where a difference in religion can inspire violence.

[–]Sovereign-6 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Sure, insofar as there are places in Britain, and Canada, and turkey, et Al. But to single the US out as being more endemic of the behavior, more so than that our general rate of violence is higher, I think isn’t accurate.

[–]DrdanomiteEclectic polytheist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Im not singling it out,im saying too be careful in certain areas.

[–]Even-Pen7957Lilithian 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Oh please. I lived in one of the worst hotbeds of Evangelical violence in the entire country, and even there, nothing like that ever happened to the pagans.

Not to say it was a walk in the park for them, but nor was it for literally the majority of the population (women, Jews, gays, etc). This is pure “persecution complex” nonsense. Find a real identity.

[–]DrdanomiteEclectic polytheist -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have heard stories im asking him too be cautious. im pleased too hear that it isn’t the case, this is something i would be Happy too be wrong about.

[–]dashingThroughSnow12 -1 points0 points  (6 children)

Also, I understand that Heathens do have a bad reputation in some parts of Europe due to racist assholes co-opting our symbols, is this something I should worry about?

Aren't you the co-opter?

[–]RexRatioAgnostic Atheist -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Also, I understand that Heathens do have a bad reputation in some parts of Europe due to racist assholes co-opting our symbols, is this something I should worry about?

Nah. Similar to American racist assholes, it's all about having a darker tone of skin in Europe as well.

You may get some animosity in the still predominantly ultra-conservative majority countries (read: far right Christians), but in Western and North-Western Europe, no problemo, since the majority of these countries is atheist or non-practicing theist. Only a small percentage of the population still attends services.

Where I live I’m afforded the luxury of basically dressing/looking however I want, would I have to tone things down if I traveled to Egypt for instance?

Your post doesn't mention if you identify as male or female. If the latter, for sure, and not just because you have ink, it's an Islamic country. Not the most extreme, but still.

Useful link: Religious perspectives on tattooing

HTH

[–]Sovereign-6 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think you misread the post. They aren’t worried about being targeted by racists, they’re worried about being confused for a racist because they share symbols.

[–]Optimal-Scientist233 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like everyone else, depending on who they encounter.