Mocking Christianity

[Ihatepcos]

I am so sick of people thinking it's okay to ridicule Catholicism and Christianity. This is especially apparent on Mumsnet. Every time there's a thread about religion I can't even read the replies because they're so awful.

The same doesn't seem to apply to the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu faiths etc.

If you don't believe in God that is your choice. But purposely mocking someone's faith and calling it a load of bullshit (and worse) is just not acceptable. So many people turn to faith to help them through extremely tough times in life and you are mocking the only thing that is keeping them going.

It's not an idea. It's a protected characteristic.

As far as I'm aware, that simply means that it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on the religion they belong to. For example denying someone their rights or fair treatment because they are Muslim, Jewish etc. It doesn't mean you have to respect the actual beliefs of that religion or refrain from criticising it or saying that the beliefs are not based in fact.

You can have your beliefs. Other people are free to call out the abuse and damage (let alone killing) done in the name of religion.

I have no time for religion at this point.

I am a Christian but fully believe in making fun of religion. Religion is pretty ridiculous. I don't think that's the same as making fun of believers though.

The thing people hate isn't likely to bear much resemblance to what you believe, OP. They tend to bundle up a host of stereotypes and cliches and claim that's what you believe so they age free to mock it.

In reality, most people's faith is far more nuanced than the mockers like to think.

I stopped caring much what anyone else thinks when someone told me he'd disproved god's existence because 'aliens'.

I don't mind what other people believe, or what they think about what I believe.

People who are rude are rude people whatever they may use to justify their rudeness!

I would never mock anyone's beliefs from a cultural point of view.. whether Christian Muslim, Hindu etc as I find it genuinely interesting (and was brought up staunch Baptist)

But if someone asks me what I think about religion, yes I'll give my opinion as an athiest who thinks that religion has done far far more harm to people than any amount of good (and by the same token it is perfectly possible to live a good, kind life without fearing some unknown being)

Why is it disgusting?

We don't pander to other ideas we may think as crazy? Why is it ok to believe in a God, and not an imaginary friend / Santa / East Bunny

Logically, to non religious people, there is no difference really - to us, there is no God and no Santa either

The difference is, that most athiests don't care that someone believes or not, where as the religious get offended when someone doesnt follow their God

This is hilariously incorrect.

Care to elaborate?

An also - why do people believe in a book written by old pale males?

Whilst people may mock, the majority don't realise this country would be even more stuffed without the umbrella of Christian faiths working together

Foodbanks = Trussel group (Christian)

Debt support and help CAP (Christians Against Poverty)

REFLECT (Christian Church umbrella, advisory and support with crisis pregnancy)

Dayspring CBT under the Christian Church umbrella

RESTORE: It has varying names in other places. Supported housing/generic to stop
vulnerable people being homeless

Acts 23:financial support for those on prepayment meters for electrical and gas. Meter top ups are provided

Warm spaces and free food cafes in some churches with the facilities

Generic: The majority of churches have many other support groups and ancillary groups.

So mock away. However, if you haven't, there will be someone you know who has needed these services.

I do have faith. However, it is Omnist, so it is not of one doctrine

I don’t care what you believe in, but if someone uses it as a method of controlling someone else then as far as I’m concerned it becomes fair game. Religion should be like sex, I don’t want or need to hear about your sex life or religion.

Yup. Raised catholic and I will mock the fuck out of any religion that is so misogynist as most of the Christianity faiths.

Totally agree op. Christianity is constantly mocked and derided on here but you never see if for Islam, Judaism etc.

Reminds me of the bit in Tim Minchin song Sam’s mum…’Fuck me Sam, what are the odds that of history's endless parade of gods
That the God you just happened to be taught to believe in is the actual one
And he digs on healing’

@Ihatepcos

The right to practice your religion is a protected characteristics

The beliefs are not.

It's important to distinguish between respect for human life and respect for all the ideas humans can think up. I'm even across the board in my criticism of all religions.

I'm a Christian and I disagree with you. It isn't disgusting. It's someone's right to disagree with you.

I'm more interested in why you saw fit to mention Catholicism and Christianity separately. I mean, some hardcore Catholics don't believe the rest of us are real Christians. But you didn't start describing Sunni and Shia Muslims, or the different strands of Judaism or Buddhism, did you?

My faith is not so weak or precious that I need to worry about what other people say or think; nor is it defined by a brand name because all those "brands" are human interpretations wrapped in power struggles, patriarchy and some bloody awful decision making throughout history. They are perfect because we aren't perfect. But then Jesus did love the imperfect and the sinners and the just plain wrong. Isn't that the real point?

Amen to that lol

I like this.

Everyone is allowed an opinion

Actually that's not quite true. There are a lot of other, older religions/faiths who formed the initial bedrock.

IMO religion has ruined this planet.

@ElonsMusky

Absolutely epic. Couldn't have wrote it better myself.

Christian values are the bedrock of civilisation as we know it

It's the converse for all religions. They just codify the existing morals. Which is fine when it's 'don't murder people' but not so fine when it's 'men get to do what they want including rape children'.

Humanity isn't perfect so religions won't be. Unfortunately they say they are so it's harder to change them.