Its perfectly acceptable to be rude to religous people...

[startrek90]

Definately going to get flamed here but oh well.

I get the feeling that this is perfectly acceptable to be rude about religous people. From reading the threads on this forum, and my experiences in RL, the amount of rudeness and sometimes plain nastiness is awful.

I am religous. I don't care if people are not, if they go to church or how they live their own lives or raise their children. As far as I am concerned as long as you obey the law, do what you want.

So far I have seen people imply that all religous people are closing their childrens mind, are ignorant, bigots.... its horrible!

I don't deny that there are people who are that way and use religion as an excuse.... but quite frankly you can be ignorant and rude without religion.

I am being unreasonable to be offended, but it really bothers me that its culturally acceptable to be rude to and about people of faith. You wouldn't do it to someone from a different culture or race would you? I have never bothered anyone with my faith so please stop taking it as an insult!

(Just venting, been lambasted in RL for daring to buy my son a Noahs ark toy. I thought it was cute with all the animals etc... but apparently I am raising him to be ignorant, bigoted and stupid. He will hate gay people and women and generally be a horrible person.....apparently grrr )

Most people don't even know I am religious . And I do not impose my beliefs - bar trying to treat people with compassion which is universals.
Strangely enough an old friend texted me asking for me to pray for her brother who has just gone into a coma. I am pleased that in these dark days she can call on me and that their faith get them through it

People speak fucking disgustingly about this on here and their scorn says more about them than it does about me

"I think it is interesting that Christianity (mainly Catholics and CofE) comes under attack on MN and is fair game but I don't seem to see as much about JW's etc or Muslims/Hindus/Sikhs etc. They aren't 'fsir game' it seems?"

Well, if any of those faiths had a privileged postion in British society and expected special treatment simply because of their faith I would have exactly the same attitude to them that I have to Christians. Which is, whatever you believe is up to you so long as it has absolutly no impact on me and my life.

"Most people don't even know I am religious . And I do not impose my beliefs - bar trying to treat people with compassion which is universals."

The problem is that if you are a Christian, your views are imposed, whether you want it or not.

Hakluyt I understand that. But do you really think that the privileged position of the CofE in England is why posters think that those with religious beliefs are 'stupid' etc?

I just don't see posters criticising another religions holy text, their customs, beliefs as much as they do Christians.

Maybe there isn't as much understanding around the other religions? Maybe posters are scared of being labelled 'racist' or xenophobic? I don't know but I just think Christianity always seems like an easy target and other religions are seen as more 'precious'.

I don't think it's anything to do with other faiths being "precious" there are lots of reasons.

Not many people of faith who aren't Christians post on here.

Christianity is the faith most British people grow up knowing most about many once held and so they know what they are criticising.

There will be for some a concern about being racist- and a well founded concern. Much criticism of other faiths is simply racism barely concealed.

Some people will be actually frightened to criticise other religions.

But why should posters be frightened to criticise other religions? If they find having faith illogical and stupid, surely that opinion shouldn't only be reserved for Christians? It should surely be for anyone who thinks 'there's a man in the sky who made this all happen'?

Oop- posted too soon and incompetently. Thwt is Marcus Brigstocke on religion.

Why did you only pick on the "being frightened" bit of my post?

Some people might be frightened because some people react more.....strongly.....to criticism of their faith than others. Surely an obvious point?

Lovely post desperate

Oh come on we all know full well why people only criticise Christianity and Catholicism

They are shit scared to criticise the others

Anyway nice to know I am in a privileged position

"They are shit scared to criticise the others"

By "the others" I presume you mean Islam? As I said, some would be. But there are other reasons too.

Because I didn't disagree with your other points

I don't think that people should censor their opinions because someon may react 'strongly'

"I don't think that people should censor their opinions because someon may react 'strongly' confused"

Neither do I. I was explaining, not excusing.

Ah right, then I think we are saying the same thing!

I know why people do it, I just find it frustrating. It just makes the argument look like an attack on Christianity rather than a disagreement with any and all organised religions.

I actually think the opposite is true. People tiptoeing around crazy religious ideas simply because they are religious. I agree, it's not right to be rude. But religion expects protections that other ideas don't get.

People would probably be pretty forthcoming about being rude to astrologer about his beliefs, but not a muslim, jew or christian. Double standard if you ask me.

Just wanted to say how much I liked your post Desperately. I hope it helps some people to understand faith.

That's something else people of faith do. "if only you understood you'd believe too"

No. I understand. That's why I don't belive.

"I know why people do it, I just find it frustrating. It just makes the argument look like an attack on Christianity rather than a disagreement with any and all organised religions."

It's two different arguments. I don't agree with any and all religions, organized or otherwise. But I have a specific argument with Christianity because it is the faith that has the most impact on my daily life.

Good post Desperately

I find it rude when people tell me that due to my lack of religious belief I will:

Be less happy than I could be
Lack proper morals
Be less successful in life
Fail to work as hard
Not be kind to other people
Find life much harder work
Not raise my children correctly
Be miserable for ever in the afterlife
Etc

There is an inherent rudeness in following a belief system that says that it provides for a better way of life than will be experienced by people who don't follow the same belief.

One of my big bug bears with religion, and one reason I don't think it is a good way to live your life is this intrinsic rudeness!

I dont think people do in real life, but they vent their frustrations at religion on here.

which is fine.

Thistledew - that is one of my bug-bears too...

Another mother at my DD's school told me that "it saddened her deeply that my children would never feel the protective hand of Jesus guiding them through life..."

Out of the blue - she chose to make a comment like that... I'm afraid I may have been rude in response.

There will be for some a concern about being racist- and a well founded concern. Much criticism of other faiths is simply racism barely concealed

Oh is it now?

Nicely positioning yourself there so YOU can comfortably Critise the religion YOU have a bugbear with but simultaneously gagging people who have a problem with ISLAM.

Nicely done

BTW the MOST stringent opposer ( and the most eloquent) to Islam on here is a poster who has Pakistani heritage and grew up in the Muslim Faith.

I despise all religions equally - nice and fair, me! But I know the most about christianity as that's what I was raised to know - they tried to indoctrinate my young mind, but I knew it was bollocks from a very young age.

"I talk to god and he talks to me". Er, really? How is this any different to someone saying they talk to unicorns, and the unicorns talk back? It makes you look utterly crazy.

Desperately, I am sorry you have a sick child. But how you can then think a loving god would make things this way is beyond the realms of common sense. No loving god would create such sickness and suffering. Why would he? If he does, he isn't very loving, is he. It is pure nonsense. And what kind of person would want to worship such a god? As such, no, I don't respect religious people - I think they are deluded. And I have concerns about the rest of their decision-making.

Hakluyt I understand that is two separate arguments.