to wonder if posters on here would refer to Islam as "a load of old tosh"..

[OhdearNigel]

...in the same way that they think it is acceptable to ridicule Christianity. If a poster had started a thread about considering joining a mosque I wonder how many people would be prepared to post that Muslims were a bunch of bigoted fools due to their religious belief on homosexuality ? Or that a Hindu's beliefs were, to quote " a load of old tosh" ? If you don't think that would be alright to post, it's not alright to post it about Christianity either.

I would. I believe all religion is a load of old tosh. HTH.

I was about to post the same glastocat

Sadly Christianity gets a lot of discrimination and put downs. My Christian union at the school I work at wanted to advertise in the school paper, but were not allowed as it might 'upset' parents... Bet they would have been allowed if it was an Islamic society (not that I have anything against any religion)

I wouldn't refer to Islam as a load of old tosh (even though it is).

Yep, me too. It's all tosh.

I was once criticised by a well known mn poster for letting my dd be involved with the church ( concerned she would be brainwashed and swept off to join a cult !!) thought cristianity was a load of rubbish and was vocal about it

Wonder what her views on Islam are

Agree with glastocat.

Christianity does seem to get a rough deal compared to the others well maybe not scientology. :)

I suspect that anyone posting that Islam was a load of old tosh would immediately be ripped to pieces for being a racist bigot. But it's fine to say that about Christianity apparently.

YABU. It certainly is all tosh, but I respect anyone's right to their beliefs. Saying 'they wouldn't be nasty about Islam' is needless whataboutery, and is often (not always) the excuse for some good old fashioned bigotry (Daily Mail, I'm looking at you).

But what exactly are you basing that on OP? I just posted that Islam is a load of old tosh and no-one has flamed me yet? Is this something to do with the creationist thread? Because creationism is a load of old tosh, too...

I agree with glastocat.

But I take the point that it appears to be more acceptable to denigrate christianity publicly than islam. I'm not sure if this is something to do with what the religions seem to suggest as reactions to criticism (turn the other cheek vs fatwa or whatever) but there is a definite difference.

How did you manage to make that out of my post, Onemorning ? All I am asking is that some posters give Christianity the same amount of respect they would give other major world religions.

Wilson, I am basing it on a thread currently running on this board regarding Alpha courses.

People definitely feel safer laughing about Christianity.

I give equal respect to all religions.

They are all tosh.

I once asked if people would start a thread, Oh My F..ing [insert name of Muslim deity], without using the full words, obviously, because that would be gross and I have respect for other people's religions, and that thread was pulled in seconds and people were spitting with indignation and telling me how awful I was to even suggest such a thing.

It was in response to MANY threads that same week that had the same phrase but with the word 'Jesus' or 'God' in place of the Muslim deity, which everyone was apparently just fine about.

You can profane the Christian God, but not the Muslim one on MN.

All religion to me is "a load of old tosh" (first time I've ever use that phrase :))

But I respect others views and as long as I'm not being preached to then I wouldn't question or indeed belittle anyones beliefs.

I am quite happy to say that I think our children are being brainwashed by Christianity at school. If our local state primary got the children to pray to Mecca, kept telling them about Mohammed as if it were the truth and took them to Mosque for festivals I would think they were brainwashing my children too.

I'm with the all religion is tosh brigade. But I agree, I think you are right that people are much quicker to condemn Christians than Muslims. Perhaps Christianity is just so much more in our face (ie at our children's schools) for most of us?

NacMacFeeble: that's not equal respect - that's equal lack of respect.

I think faith-based insults are pretty vile, whichever religion they are aimed at.

I presume you are referring to my post.

Yes, I feel Christianity and all organised religion is a load of old tosh.

As far as I'm aware I am entitled to my beliefs.

I fully endorse anyone's right to practice any religion. In fact I would defend that right to the ends of the earth.

I don't believe, you can. What's the problem?

"All I am asking is that some posters give Christianity the same amount of respect they would give other major world religions."

You assume they aren't.

All atheists I know will happily treat all religions with disdain. An atheist hardly has a preferred religion.

It's easy to bash Christians because they turn the other cheek and are forgiving.

I think its acceptable to say that within a more respectful conversation, eg., "Whilst I personally think its a load of old tosh I full believe you have the right to be free to believe what you like".

Most people in the UK have been brought up with Christianity woven into the fabric of every day life, so its part of them, and when something is part of you and your history you feel able to mock it... I can slate my mum, no one else can, type thing. Islam is pretty alien to me, so I tread more carefully. Rightly or wrongly.

Glad you clarified ohdearnigel.

I wouldn't say Christianity is a load of old tosh even though I don't believe.

I would say that about Alpha, and just for starters, having had a friend and her DH do the courses and constantly pester me to join them.