to think it is rude to persistently refer to God/Allah/etc. as an "imaginary friend"

[AtheneNoctua]

even after asked not to by several posters who have stated they found it offensive.

[hecate]

Is this about another thread? Cos the irony is that it's rude to start a thread about a thread

(But yes, it is rude to ridicule someone's faith)

[2beornot2be]

Where is it posted??? Why would anyone refer to God/Allah as an imaginary friend

[hecate]

Well, because although many people believe in a deity, there is no proof of its existence. No evidence. No phone number or Facebook page... So all you have is people who believe and people who don't.

And a lot of wars.

[seeker]

No more offensive than saying Our Lord in a way that includes me whether I want to be included or not!

[bossykate]

i think it is less about the "proof" as the sure and certain knowledge that by using that phrase you will offend people. what i find quite gobsmacking is that determination to offend.

[zippitippitoes]

is virtual spiritual adviser better

[zippitippitoes]

i havent seen the other thread as is the way with threads about threads

[Doodle2U]

Yes, it is rude.

It's also insensitive.

[bossykate]

i see it all as part of the ongoing increase in the casual incivility and rudeness we seem to see all around us daily.

[PuppyMonkey]

A very wise man said it is probably best to turn the other cheek in these kind of situations, rather than moan about it on MN.

Or nearly that anyway...

[FAQ]

hecate - you could also argue there's no proof that they DON'T exist

[Bringbackmybonnietome]

I beleive in God.

But respect others who won't don't, and there entilemnt to express that, and their view on God, in any way they wish.

You really can't censor poeple's views on God/religion because you find them offensive.

Some athesists on here though are personally offensive about people who beleieve in God, like the 'are poele who believe stupid' thread.

They have the right to hold that view, but I respect them less for their inability to show respect to othersviews/opinions and sensitivities.

[Doodle2U]

People on here have lost children, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters....and many feel those they have lost are still with them in 'spirit' - in heaven, whatever. Would these posters who refer to God as 'imaginary friend' also ridicule those posters who take comfort in their belief that the loved one is still around in spirit?

[wuzzlefraggle]

What hecate said - it's very rude to ridicule someones faith imo (fantastically worded btw )

Personally, I'm not a believer in religion BUT I would never say anything derogatory towards someone that does - it's a personal choice.

[serenity]

To use it in the manner you say, yes (as a general term, no not really)

I'd get p'd off if someone kept telling me I was going to hell (or whatever) even though I don't actually believe in it. It's not about belief or faith it's about being respectful to other people - words do hurt.

[Marina]

What bossykate and bringbackmybonnie said. It does the poster no credit tbh. I take the namecallers a lot less seriously than the many other posters who can manage a debate about faith and atheism without being juvenile.

[hecate]

Bang on, FAQ. There's no proof either way. There's only opinion and faith. And in the absence of proof, all opinions are equally valid. Like I said, it is rude to ridicule someone's faith.

I don't know where I stand. I was raised to believe, When I was a kid I used to chat to god (in my head, at night!) about my day, my feelings, my problems. But as an adult, I have too many questions with no answers to have an unconditional faith, and if you were to ask me I'd say I'm agnostic, but you just watch me in times of stress or upset, you just watch me pray! I don't know why.

As well as the part of me that goes "yes, but what about...", there's this tiny part of me that wants to believe in a god, in an afterlife, in a design - in a POINT! I do not want to believe that everything we suffer in life is random and meaningless. I want to believe that when we die there is something else, something better and happiness. It gives me comfort and that is as good a reason as any other for anyone to believe, isn't it? (even if they only sort of believe, sometimes...)

[AMumInScotland]

It's deliberately offensive, and I'm quite sure the poster in question realises that.

But on my list of things in her posts to be irritated by, it's not at the top

[Marina]

Fair point seeker, but many, many Christians on Mumsnet would never make that assumption

[wuzzlefraggle]

So whats started all this off anyway? Is there a thread I've missed or something??

[Peachy]

Ah, have just posted my repsonse to this on the original thread

If this poster (bringbackmybonnie, think its the one you may be referring to on a name change- might be wrong) wants to refer to my beleifs in this way then it saddens me that he / she ahs such a lack f respect for my feelings, but beyond that now I think of it the poster has bought me a right to shove my belefs in thir faith, no? I never preach (or rather try not to, DH says otherwise) or try to force my point, we're alla dults etc etc etc but if someone forced their beliefs on me in thsi way that changes the balance.

Except I have too much respect for other people.

The only thing that really offends me is A) the implication that believers are witless; and B) the fact that the poster is aware it hurts peoples feelings to be called names and doesnb't care about that. It is that fact that places them off my radar, rather than the use of a term.

Mind, I have been open abut about my awareness that my faith culd be a crutch that helps me be optimistic about a life quite far dvorced from te average, so perhaps I am open more to ideas? Don't know.

[Marina]

It's a recurring topic wuzzlefraggle. Over the years we've had posters who have repeatedly asserted that all practising Christians are paedophiles or complicit in child abuse, others who cannot discuss religious observance/atheism/education etc without referring to God as a pink rabbit or an imaginary friend.
Tbh the former was downright offensive, and was reported to MNHQ, the latter is more a bit tired and laboured. After the first fifty posts containing these sparkling insights it all gets a bit hackneyed and predictable really.

[MrsMattie]

Many religious people are far too sensitive in my opinion! Don't get involved in debates about religion if you can't handle the truth (that many of us think it's a load of old baloney). I always try to be sensitive and respectful of other people's religious beliefs, but if they ask me what I think, I will tell them.