Why do you allow people to attack and ridicule Christianity?

[Singersong]

Time and time again I see people taking the absolute piss out of Christianity. Calling people delusional and saying it's made up bullshit etc. why do you allow this? I don't see this about any other religion.

It goes far beyond atheism and you claim to be against hate speech.

Singersong- but….

That’s your OPINION that they are ‘childish and stupid’.

It’s my opinion that belief in God (any god) is, to use your words ‘childish and stupid’. childish because it’s so clearly a folktale and stupid because it implies a lack of critical thinking.

That is the rudest I’ve ever been about Christianity- please note that it is only in response to OPs lack of understanding and tolerance that we are allowed to have and express different opinions in this country (thank made-up-God!) as an example of her contradictory thinking.

The Armenian Genocide goes largely unrecognised, but it's another case of Christians being murdered for their beliefs. It was utterly tragic.

@Rainbowsponge "Yes but would you be as quick to say that to a Muslim, Hindu or Jew?"

If they tried to tell me that their truth was absolute and they deserved privileged treatment in society, because of it, then yes.

I'm comfortable calling people who hold delusional beliefs delusional.

Glad we've got that cleared up.

On MN, people do say it all the time. It’s definitely not limited to Christianity like OP claims.

I think all religion is man made.
I also believe in people's right to follow what ever religion they chose.
I won't actively try to stop anyone practising but will give my honest opinion if asked.

To be honest I'm fully willing to accept I shouldn't have sunk to that level but it's appalling the things people will willing say.

You cannot criticise others for doing something and then do it yourself.
People are entitled to believe what they want.

But what you have mentioned is not hate speech, it is mainly mockery.

Hate to be a flouncer but I'm probably just going to hide the thread. People on here actually seem to take joy in taking the piss out of Christians and it's disgusting.

I have not called for an end to free speech but there's a difference between free speech and hate speech.

This was not started as a debate on religion, I was specifically asking MN why they allow what they do.

Maybe you should practise some Christian forgiveness

And that is the issue. It should not be the default why does my atheist belief get trodden on and my children's on in their formative years?

I am Irish, I am one of the tiny fortune few who have secured the right to have my children educated outside Christian indoctrination. And trust me as a survivor of "catholic" school it is pure indoctrination. Prays morning, lunch, evening. Ingrained on my brain.

You do know that there is no way for people to revoke the record of being Catholic. It makes no difference what my beliefs are, I am screwed as being recorded Catholic and can't have it removed. Tell me how on earth that is allowed stand?

There should be separation of religion from state, education, health and law. That is why there is such emotive response to Christian.

And Christmas was a well established pagan, pre religious celebration before Christians came along and hijacked it.

So yes I am more respectful of other religions as they don't do any of the above nor try to control laws.

Yeeeeeeah... I'm Jewish and we're not liked very much 😅😅

My 13yo is the only Jewish kid in his school. He's been subjected to anti-Semitic bullying, which broke my heart.

A Holocaust survivor I knew had her windows smashed in and swastikas spraypainted on her front door.

I'd say that's persecution!

Did you expect an echo chamber?

Singer - I’m glad you acknowledge that.

what are the appalling things people say? Are they actual threats? Or are they just comments you don’t want to hear?

I would absolutely defend your freedom to believe what you want (as long as it doesn’t harm others) but reading comments from anonymous people on the internet calling these same beliefs delusional/ medieval/ sky fairies etc is in no way a threat or hate speech and if you are certain in your faith should have no effect on you. Perhaps you feel uncomfortable reading them because of an element of cognitive dissonance?

Religion is a lifestyle choice.

But it’s not limited to Christianity at all OP, and it’s very short sighted for you to say that.

Muslims are often criticised on MN and exposed to nasty Islamophobia. The second anyone brings up an issue in a relationship with a Muslim man or there’s a crime involving one and you can guarantee there will be countless comments generalising all Muslims. Even when someone starts something positive, there will be comments along the lines of sky fairies.

Jews have had months of anti semitism following what’s happened with Gaza, and because it’s disguised as targeting Israel, MN turns a blind eye (I do not believe criticism Israel is anti Semitic, far from it, they deserve the criticism, but many posts are anti semitism in disguise).

So no, it is not just Christianity and if anything, when Christianity is mocked, it has the most defenders on here as opposed to those defending Muslims or Jews.

OP - perhaps if you could share some examples of hate speech against Christians on mumsnet people might be more sympathetic.
…. waits for message saying the thread has been deleted!!

YANBU and I 100% agree @Singersong Hatred and mocking against ANY other religion would simply not be tolerated. The posts would be deleted. Some of the comments on MN (from some posters) about Christianity are disgusting. Yet they never seem to be deleted.

Osco · Today 07:03

I agree. The keyboard warriors aren’t brave enough to attack Islam or Judaism. Christianity is an easy target probably because they’re not informed enough to be able to question other religions.

100% this. ^

@Singersong this isn't a genuinely Christian country. If it was, those who are poor or sick or in prison would be of primary importance in all things, as Christ taught. This is a country where the establishment pays lip-service to a set of rituals that have very little to do with Christ's teaching. Countryies can't be Christian. People can. But you don't convince anyone to become Christian by forcing children into rituals that they don't believe in. What this country is, more importantly than its roots in Christianity, is a country which upholds freedom and equality, especially freedom of religion and cultural expression, and equality of all regardless of religion or cultural expression. We have to fudge this a bit because it's not actually possible to live by that ideal and also give state primacy to one religion but we prefer the fudge over the french pathway of suppressing every aspect of religion in public life. So that gets balanced with a good humoured tolerance of the inevitable backlash against that primacy.

Of course other religions are taught about in schools but those are all done as "these are the stories of hinduism, these are the celebrations that are important in this religion" and the child isn't expected to accept or believe it. No muslim staff member would be allowed to stand up in school and lead the children to repeat with them the shahada, "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger" yet it's assumed to be ok for a Christian staff member to do the equivalent even in a non-church school. My faith is important to me but freedom of religion is also important to me and that includes freedomfot atheists to be atheist.

The very thing you started this thread to complain about is directly caused by the imposition of religion without consent in schools and other aspects of public life. These impositions build up resentment and frustration which then get expressed as the outbursts that upset you. You seem startlingly lacking in empathy for why such frustration and resentment will build up.

I'm atheist and have Christian, Muslim and pagan friends. The reason I feel resentment towards Christians is my prior exposure to sanctimonious people pushing it down my throat and using it to make me feel bad/inadequate/a sinner (mostly without cause). This experience has caused hurt....which means I easily react to Christians who state their belief as fact.

You believe what you believe, don't impose it on me and we'll jog on fine.

I do find Christians feel self righteous in this country and will express their beliefs whereas I don't experience that from other religions (yet!). I'd like to see a world where religious hate speech was prevented by making evangelical statements also illegal. There is a big difference between 'this is what I believe' and 'this is what you should believe' When Christians get that vital point they won't get the backlash you are describing

None of this is true.

You've yet to provide an example of what you think is 'hate speech'.

Please provide a couple of examples where posters are encouraging violence, persecution or prejudice against Christians. Even one will do.

Note that disagreement or being patronising is not hate speech.

It’s not special status. If someone was in here slagging off Islam or Judaism it would be taken down straightaway

Either you don’t come on MN that often or you’ve turned a wilful blind eye to the many attacks on Islam and Judaism.

Did you miss the thread a few weeks ago which asked why people don’t like Muslims and there were many pages by posters explaining why they don’t like Muslims. And MN kept it up for an entire day.

So no, it doesn’t get taken down straightaway.