Why do people feel entitled to bash religion?

75% Normal
60 Comments

It's been said that religion is an opiate for the masses; that being said, what's wrong with that? On this website I see the seemingly entitled agnostic, to the uninformed atheist, to the foolish Christian try to defend their stances on why their views are more suitable, and should therefore be followed. I, myself, have the inherent belief that no one can define the right and wrong for someone else, because we all share different morals and value items differently. Simply put I just wish people would try to stop force-feeding me their views and in the process attempting to discredit mine. Because who are you the mighty agnostic, to tell the Christian that there is no certain place your soul may reside in? And the judgmental Christian has no right to claim all atheists will go to hell, because who says it exists to them? And enough with the generalizations ladies and gentlemen, if you're going to say something, at least make it credible.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the world is what your mind make it, and no one has the right to flaw your perfect vision.

is it normal to think this way? Comments? Concerns?

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 83 votes (62 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 60 )
  • help_is_here
    12 years ago | pl

    Religion is like a penis.
    It's ok to have one.
    It's ok to be proud of it.
    But please don't whip it out in public and wave it around.
    And please don't try to shove it down my children's throats.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    7
    7
      -
    • Miller18
      9 years ago

      That simply great

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • flax
    12 years ago

    Why? Cos they don't like/believe in it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    3
    3
      -
    • mtg710
      12 years ago

      It's general etiquette not to make a mockery of others' beliefs. The problem is the idea of people being entitled to enforce their opinions, rather than to simply have opinions.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      2
      2
  • Aurora93
    12 years ago

    I HATE people who bash religion. I hate people who bash anything, but religion is so personal to people and they put so much faith in it, and for someone to laugh at you and try to shoot you down in flames must be horrible, not to mention possibly makes you wonder whether they're right.
    If you've got a positive faith about absolutely anything, I say KEEP IT!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • Alison89
    12 years ago

    I disagree with the OP saying the world is what your mind makes it and the comment about perfect vision.

    The world is what it is, regardless of what you make of it.

    I don't bash religion until someone starts trying to force his or her beliefs on me. Then it's fair game.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • nAt2017
    12 years ago

    Yes! Everyone is entitled to their own decisions about belief. I applaud you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Ono
    12 years ago

    I'm 98% sure my eyes just rolled out of my head.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    This is IIN. You expect too much.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • Hmmaybe
      12 years ago

      It's better than most of the internet.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      2
      2
  • Pagan4Pride
    12 years ago

    Too many people feel that there can be and is only one way. Whether they believe that you die and simply rot and cease to be, or they believe that you will go live in some heavenly reward for following the right deity, or in some eternal damnation place facing punishment for following the wrong deity. Too many people don't believe that there can be multiple truths.
    We are too small to ever see the whole answer, so we all see parts of an answer, and they can all be equally valid. (Like the blind men and the elephant story)
    And instead of following a basic courtesy of humanness, honoring that we are all valid in some way or another, people tend to feel that if anyone contradicts what they have to say, that the other person must be wrong.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • dom180
    12 years ago

    I think a lot of people feel offended when people talk about opposing religious beliefs, when really they are not bashing religion at all. The number of times I've been told to stop bashing religion when I've been making a valid, open-minded point that hasn't been at all offensive is ridiculous. Sure, some people probably are genuinely close-minded when they talk about other belief systems, but to presume that someone with a stead-fast point of view must be close-minded is close-minded in itself.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • bryson_willis
    12 years ago

    Crusaders - a group of people (atheist or christian) who don't see the world as you see it and have decided you must be ignorant and stupid until you see it their way! You won't know what freedom is until you see it their way!

    crusaders make up 98% of the atheist population, and around 40% of the christian population.

    which leaves us with the few who are the only sane people, who accept that maybe just maybe; people don't walk around asking other people to validate their world view. I love these guys because they aren't likely to turn around and judge you. examples:

    "hey mark, you aren't living in reality because you aren't religious"

    "hey mark, you aren't living in reality because you are religious"

    #Crusader!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • InvadingPotatoLeader
      12 years ago

      Yes and may we know where you got these percentages from? Or did you just make them up?
      You do know that the actual crusaders were Christian right?
      You do know how Christianity became so widespread right?
      By forcing it upon the people, who did not know better because they had no education or knowledge of the world at all because they were living in the middle ages, by scaring them with death, torture and hell.
      By colonizing and converting it's population.
      So in a nutshell, atheists never forced their beliefs, unlike religion did. They might tell you what they think about religion, and it may be negative, but at least they can do that now without being prosecuted (still not everywhere in the world, sadly).

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      -2
      -2
        -
      • bryson_willis
        12 years ago

        I usually ask people to read the OP's post, but this time (and only this once) I'll just copy and paste.

        "On this website I see the seemingly entitled agnostic, to the uninformed atheist, to the foolish Christian try to defend their stances on why their views are more suitable, and should therefore be followed"

        I din't ask you for your views on religion and you went out of your way to blast them to me anyway and justify why your views are more subtle and therefore be followed.

        You don't even know if am atheist 0_o?! well done, you just made it to the 98%.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • InvadingPotatoLeader
          12 years ago

          There's no reason to assume I didn't read the OP's post.
          I respond to your comment because what you said is absolutele nonsense.
          I don't need you to ask for my views on religion before I can give my opinion about it your comment, nobody asked you to make up ridiculous claims either.
          What I said actually makes sense and if you knew a little history you'd know it's true.
          All you said was something like this: "atheists are 98% and christians are 40% of the crusaders population, the rest is sane."
          And I'll ask again, would you share the source of these claims, or maybe now is the time for admitting none of what you said is factual?
          The next time you decide to share some of your claims, don't expect anyone to take you seriously if not assume you're a troll if you're not going to let us know where you got these percentages from so we can see if they are true.
          Oh and to your last sentence, I never actually said that you are an atheist or a christian..
          I replied to what you said not what religious beliefs you hold.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
            -
          • bryson_willis
            12 years ago

            ...

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            -2
            -2
  • Glass
    12 years ago

    *slowly starts clapping*

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • shuggy-chan
      12 years ago

      *keeps clapping too long*

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • MissClaire
    12 years ago

    I think respecting other people's morals and views is honerable and the only way to the path of peace in this world. No one is better than anyone - thats the attitude I try to live by (I slip sometimes, but I feel strongly about it)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • mtg710
    12 years ago

    Thank you so much. I've tried to express this through comments, so seeing it in a story really helps. It wasn't until I came here that I felt the clashes of religion vs. non-religion. I began to feel offended by all the mockeries made from both arguments. Bravo!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • GMAN
    12 years ago

    You were born into a bondage you can't escape. It's sad.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Chris_11945
      12 years ago

      What bondage are you referring to? Being open-minded?

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • InvadingPotatoLeader
        12 years ago

        He problably means the Christian society and family bondage.
        You know what I personally think is better about non-religion families is that they teach the children what religions there are around the world and what they mean, their family tells them or their schools do.
        That way the child chooses him/herself what to believe or not to believe.
        In a religious family the child is (usually) indoctrinated into the religion, being told that they ARE christian or they ARE muslim.
        I think religion is hard to give up, even as an adult, being told from since you can remember the religion they are taught to believe is the truth.
        If this person lives in a very Christian society, the USA for example, and his/her whole community and family is Christian, it's not an easy task truly thinking about it and criticizing it, maybe even "stepping out of the closet" and stop believing if they don't actually believe themselves.
        It is much harder for a Muslim to give up his religion of course, in some countries there is the death penalty for abandoning Islam, which in my opinion is very medieval.
        I disagree with the OP, unless the person is being rude, anyone can disagree with religion and give his/her opinion about it, and that's not bashing religion.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • NeuroNeptunian
          12 years ago

          I'm all for teaching my kids about other religions. I am a Mormon but I personally LOVE studying Islam, Hinduism and other miscellaneous religions because it helps me gain perspective of my own religion and where I am in life, spiritually speaking.

          Yes, I would be a little upset if my children abandon LDS, but my hope is that they will be happy and healthy and if LDS doesn't fit into that picture than so be it. I'm trying to raise a child to have good values not just for the faith but for their own happiness. I was not raised in a religious household, I chose the religion for myself.

          TL;DR I'm on a spiritual journey, not a Christian journey and I wish for my kids to have their own spiritual journeys as well.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
      • lufa
        12 years ago

        the bondage of thinking you have to telepathically communicate with an invisible sky-daddy to suck up to him so he'll save you and not those evil free-thinkers who used their brain to realize there is no logical reason to believe he is real.

        the best part is when one of the 3 in 1 gods comes to earth to be sacrificed as to himself to appease himself...because of course gods love the blood of tortured innocents, animal or people, so that humans can get a ticket into his magic kingdom in another realm.

        makes perfect sense to me! lol

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • i'mrickjamesbitch
    12 years ago

    sometimes, ya gots ta take da pussy

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • Miller18
    9 years ago

    I'm a God fearing man A Christian as-well I choose to Lean and grow from the Catholic church. I feel that most people bash religion for a few reason One: Its very easy too I'm a christian and I can tear the basic concept of the bible apart it just easy. Christian rub people the wrong way in many differ way- Acting as if there better then you or act as if there better then a group of people,Christian" Baptist" Famous like to shove there belief right down People throats. The famous line "Ill pray for you" Other Christian please if someone dose believe in god Itself are even if they believe but in a different God other then yours. don't tell them your going pray for them,This always come off as christian are Right and the other group were praying is wrong or at least that how I see it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Swan_Theif9854
    9 years ago

    Because religious people Christians in particular tend to be the most rude, and annoying. For example I used to be Christian now I'm Pagan. Now you all want me to die hang myself blah blah. Tell you what tie the rope for me and find me a good tree.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • daydreamer394
    9 years ago

    You give me hope - thank you!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • underager
    12 years ago

    Because it's a free country?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Crudhouse
    12 years ago

    I think that being agnostic or having a religion are better than being an atheist

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • InvadingPotatoLeader
    12 years ago

    Thank you!
    Couldn't have said it better.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • kelso
    12 years ago

    I'm agnostic and I agree with this. As long as you don't diss my views, I don't say anything about yours. As long as you're happy with them, why argue?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • englishbudgie0125
    12 years ago

    they just think they are so much better if they dont have a religion... lol...

    i dont know where i fit in though. sometimes i just feel so much trust in the fact that there is a god , while sometimes im not so sure about it...

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • chuck666
    12 years ago

    if someone says I am going to this "Hell" place, then I figure all the religion bashing is entitled... plus being blasphemous is hilarious way to frustrate religious folk.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Sillygoose
    12 years ago

    I like the way you think, sir.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • doxies4life
    12 years ago

    Because some people here what others say and they're all gung ho about it. Yes everyone should have their own beliefs but don't push it on others. Just because someone doesn't believe in religion but believes in god doesn't mean they're going to hell it's just a different view.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • ThatsWhatWeDeerDo
    12 years ago

    I agree.
    I hate religion and religious people. They're so annoying.. I myself am not religious.. but I have a :relationship: with God. It's not religion, because again, I hate religion.. and actually, so did Jesus. He couldn't stand religion and just wanted people to realize that it's not about it being a religion, but a relationship with Him and His Father.
    I don't try to force anyone to believe what I believe, but when they attack my heart in that way, sometimes it comes across as me trying to make them believe. Really, what you choose is what you choose. Unfortunately, in this day and age, most will choose wrong.... Fortunately for me, I know Truth. So I need not worry for my own salvation, but my heart breaks for others who are lost in the cloud of darkness that has fallen over the world.. My heart and soul lies with the Light, for He is the Way the Truth and the Light.

    Anyways... I feel it's unnecessary for anyone to bash other people for their beliefs (I don't want to say religion because I don't like religion) I think people should just stop and let others be.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • lufa
      12 years ago

      you hate religion but you still follow it

      Jesus wasn't real, his life had no meaning

      it is all a fictional story to get people to join their cult and take their money and make them slaves.

      the logic makes no sense that god comes to earth, dies on a cross as a sacrifice to himself to let humans go to paradise?

      really, why all this ridiculous drama, is he not god who can do anything?

      you're all fuking dumb that's all I can say about you stupid ass theists.

      you do no thinking or research instead you try to ram your brainwashed sick views down other people's throats

      and start whining about your bleeding hearts at the slightest criticism of your paper thin egos and beliefs.

      please I don't give a shit about you or how you feel-keep your lunacy to yourselves

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
        -
      • ThatsWhatWeDeerDo
        12 years ago

        Well I never told you you had to believe what I do.. I never did

        I don't follow religion.. I just said that I hate it. It's a RELATIONSHIP with my Creator. A relationship just the same as with your own parents or siblings or any other family member.. even friends.

        I'm not going to respond to the rest of your comment because I don't feel the need to. You are lost in the darkness, and I cannot bring the Light to you through Internet.. I hope Jesus touches your heart one day..

        Peace!!

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
          -
        • lufa
          12 years ago

          It makes no difference what you choose to label your own insanity, the simple fact is that you think a magic sky-daddy is as real as you are, even though you've never met/spoke/touched him/her/it.

          It is the exact same thing as me saying I have a relationship with Poseidon-he is real as your god is.

          The only way to prove that your god is real is with concrete irrefutable evidence. Nothing short of him appearing and talking to me, pulling some 'miracles' would suffice.

          Till then all you have is your religion and your imaginary relationship with a god that does not exist.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          -1
          -1
            -
          • trollbaby
            12 years ago

            "magic sky-daddy" LOLZ, luvs it :)

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
              -
            • lufa
              12 years ago

              thanks ;)

              Comment Hidden ( show )
              0
              0
      • Blargh
        11 years ago

        Why can't you just state your opinion without bashing on others opinions..?
        So hostile.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • Ono
    12 years ago

    This site is primarily devoted to people sharing their views and seeking out others. If you don't want to expose yourself to views on religion that's fine, just don't view those topics, they're usually pretty obvious by the title. It's difficult at times to comment on religious IIN if the answer has to be religion neutral.
    Sometimes there's some OTT comments, but I think they're the minority and most views are considered and honest.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • lufa
    12 years ago

    because believing fairy tales are real makes you a nutjob.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -2
    -2
      -
    • NeuroNeptunian
      12 years ago

      So how is an atheist calling a spiritual person's beliefs that of a nutjob any better than a spiritual person calling a non-believer a heretic? Both are means of insulting the other to puff up that arrogant feeling of "I know better than you, this makes me special from the rest of humanity in some way and gives me the authority to tell someone that they are a lesser being than me". The people that forced my ancestors out of their home-land TWICE thought they were better than us because of difference of values. Perpetuating this doesn't make you any better.

      Religious tolerance is a two way street.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      5
      5
        -
      • lufa
        12 years ago

        you're nutjobs because you think an invisible man is real.

        then you think this invisible man gave you a book to live by...a book in which this invisible man genocided people he didn't like.

        I'm an ex-Christian, I was brainwashed with the same crap you were taught till I realized it is all bullshit

        Atheism is not a religion-it is simply a position of doubt in your fairy tale beliefs due to zero evidence.

        we don't believe in tooth-fairies, we don't call ourselves 'afairiests'...it is accepted that fairies don't exist because there is no proof for them.

        likewise for your stupid gods.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        -1
        -1
          -
        • NeuroNeptunian
          12 years ago

          That's a pretty harsh way to judge me considering I am a theologan and do not stick to the conventional Christian beliefs but rather embrace a wide variety of religious beliefs.

          I wasn't brainwashed into anything. I was raised in a non-religious household, my family rejected the church. I went into looking for religions and found Christianity. I am able to pursue my intellectual studies with religion without having to sacrifice them because God doesn't want me to do it. In my sect of Christianity, we are encouraged to find the truth for ourselves. I thoroughly enjoy the philosophical aspects of religion. I have studied many religions and atheism as well, I embrace different ideals as a way to build my faith, and much of my scholarly life that is not dedicated to the sciences or worldly knowledge is dedicated to religion and the finer points of atheism.

          If you think I am a nutjob, then you might be right on the money. Maybe I am wasting my time studying something that does not exist, even though it helps me to develope an appreciation for science and knowledge that has since eluded many American students. I have found a church in which I can study many theologies without an issue, and that makes me happy. But the fact of the matter is, I am a scholar and I find religion to be just as valuable of a discipline as any other.

          If you can't appreciate my appreciation for knowledge outside of my usual studies of science and pragmatic disciplines then I only hope that you find as much enjoyment in insulting my sanity as I do for study and open-mindedness to even concepts that challenge me, rather than dismiss crap I don't believe in as nonsense.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          1
          1
  • suckonthis9
    12 years ago

    I think that everyone here is missing an extremely IMPORTANT point.
    The concept of 'god' or 'gods' and others, is a matter of PERCEPTION.
    If you (personally) are ENLIGHTENED, you will REALIZE the connection between ALL the viewpoints submitted here and elsewhere.
    What I'm saying, is that everyone who has posted a comment here (whether religious or not) IS essentially correct.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • suckonthis9
    12 years ago

    I have one short thing to say on this matter.
    Trying to remain completely neutral on this subject.
    I would love it if all persons of the World's major religions and all the atheists and agnostics could all just get together and find what we all agree on.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
      -
    • lufa
      12 years ago

      there can be no agreement on faith.

      faith requires one to believe things without proof

      atheism denies the existence of things that have no evidence

      faith always loses this argument because your god is not real.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • suckonthis9
        12 years ago

        Firstly, I did NOT say that we need to "agree on faith", simply that we should find out what we agree on.
        Secondly, your second statement makes no sense, it says that we should believe things that are NOT REAL.
        Thirdly, your third statement, WHAT? You are in effect saying that Atheists deny that something that is not real doesn't exist.This a double negative and therefore is a FALLACY.
        Lastly, your last statement makes an ASSUMPTION which may or may not be true, and therefore INVALID.
        I believe that for the reasons above, you have lost this argument.
        AT NO TIME did I say that I am a person of faith.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • lufa
          12 years ago

          you're one of those pseudo-intellectual idiots who thinks he wins an argument by trying to point out fallacies in other people's claims.

          Yet my claims were perfectly valid-if you chose to analyze them on their merit I might've had more respect for you. I minored in philosophy so I'd run circles around you on this subject.

          that is exactly what faith is-treating some thing or idea as if it has already been validated when it hasn't-the existence of god for example.

          Anyways, I've gotten into a million such debates with theists-you're all a bunch of lazy thinkers who are brainwashed and tend to be rather irritating people.

          In some ways it's better to let people suffer in their own mental traps.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          -1
          -1
            -
          • suckonthis9
            12 years ago

            In response to your last comment, YOU labeled me " a pseudo- intellectual idiot." I take offense to this. I would more aptly describe myself as an extra- ordinary average guy.
            You are ABSOLUTELY 100% CORRECT that I did not analyze your comments on their 'merit'. I did analyze them on their 'virtue'. I agree with you that this type of argument runs in circles and is therefor pointless, that it only causes divisions amongst us. This is entirely my point. We need to break this endless circle and find out what we can all agree on. Furthermore, I feel that we should, put it this way:
            Imagine yourself at the Grocer's.
            You walk down the soup aisle and see a new product, "Campbell's Canned Attitude." Would you buy it?
            Again, I feel that you have jumped to a conclusion, about me and others that is incorrect. I would like to ask you to go back to my original comment and ask me a simpler question.
            I think that your assumptions and viewpoint are the type of things we need to correct for our society to flourish. This attitude that 'I'm right and everyone else is wrong'.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
  • PumpkinKate
    12 years ago

    As much as I like the altruism behind this post, it's rather futile to try and convince people not to argue that their beliefs are better than someone else's who believes otherwise. Still... it would be nice.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • YngPoly
    12 years ago

    It's why things are so screwed up. If mrs. Grundy would learn to mind her own business the world would be a better place.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • Fozmula
    12 years ago

    WHY DO YOU CARE

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -2
    -2
  • Dozis
    12 years ago

    Alleluya and get the fuck out of my house.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -2
    -2