When I Get Called Heretical

I find it particularly odd that when ever my religion gets called heretical it usually goes something like this:

"You believe X, therefore you are heretical."

To which I respond, "Um, I actually don't believe X."

"Yes you do."

"Um, no I don't."

"No, you actually believe X."

"Um, I don't believe X, because I actually say that I don't believe X."

"Well you must be mistaken, or lying, because you actually believe X."

It never ceases to amaze me that when people will bash my religion they will first tell me what I believe and then tell me why that is wrong, rather than actually asking me what I believe and then figuring out what I mean by that and then trying to figure out why that is wrong (or possibly trying to understand why I think it is right). Though I guess this can go both ways. I have heard some Mormons giving base characterizations of other Churches and beliefs, but I do find that on the whole Mormons do listen respectfully and respond respectfully to other's beliefs. When ever I am confronted with a belief that I find odd or particularly off the wall, I try to remember that most people want to be rational about their beliefs and are sincere in their beliefs an we should understand them as they do and not as we do.