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ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

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ORIGINAL: candystripper

Well, the agnostics, athetists and spiritual-but-not-religious have all weighed in as to how much we dislike being 'preached at'....but I guess my question is....when it happens, do we make any effort to be tolerant of the one doing the preaching? 
 
This certainly does not mean being disrespected yourself, but do we even pause a minute to realise they feel they have a duty towards us to attempt to get us to join them?  Are we  respectful towards them when we turn them away?  (Course IMO it'd be better if these religions taught people to look after their own conduct and leave others to do the same but that's another issue.)
 
I get a lot of soliticing here...and I tell the Jehohavah's Witnesses and Mormons that I'm Catholic and -- bingo -- they say buh bye.  It's amazing to me, but it works and I never have to say "I think you're being a jerk'.
 
candystripper

Ever since my "alternate" sexuality has become more known, I haven't had anyone wanting to convert me. Guess the desire to have new lesbian members is pretty low. Especially after a few visits from a very HOT goth friend that likes to practice her knife throwing in a bikini (when the weather is hot) in my north yard.

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ORIGINAL: slaveluci

~FR~
Am I tolerant of others' religious beliefs?  Absolutely.  No matter what they are, every person is entitled to them.

Where my tolerance absolutely ends is when others' aren't tolerant of my own religious beliefs.  Not much irks me more than someone exhibiting their supposed intellect, wit and humor by ridiculing something I hold sacred.  When they have to tear mine down to make them feel better about their own (or lack thereof), it shows what their character is made of and it's simply not much. 

If you worship the garden gnome out back of your house, more power to you and I would never ridicule you or scorn that if that's what you wish to do.  Too bad everyone can't be accepting of each others' core beliefs.  You don't have to share my beliefs but at least respect the fact that they are important to me................luci

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ORIGINAL: candystripper

I had an very interesting convo with a friend today...he labels himself agnostic and leans towards the athetistic.  I'd say I was 'spiritual but not religious', though maybe that's changing.
 
Anyway we have friends in common who are very religious and we decided we can deal with the people who keep their religious beliefs to themselves but have a hard time with people who want to 'convert' us, and that we find the bad behavior of self-proclaimed religious types rather annoying as it seems hypocritical.
 
Now I'm kinda wondering if my friend and I are as tolerant of others' beliefs as we could be?
 
What about you?
 
candystripper

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ORIGINAL: Irishknight

But how often does intolerance hide its face by pretending to be tearing down ignorance?  More often than not.

How often does the intolerant majority try to paint all of those who are different as superstitious or, even worse, as child molesters?  How often do children of the "accepted religions" get raped by the very clergy who condemn those who are of different faiths as being dangerous to our children?  How many of those assaults are hidden to protect the church?  Most of them.

To appoint yourself to tear down another's belief system is to show a bit of ignorance mixed with a great deal of arrogance.  No one has the market cornered on God.  ALL religions are flawed due to the basic human nature of the worshippers.  We should never belittle someone's religion unless it harms another.  God has many faces and none of them is a bigot.

I'm not accusing anyone here of being that arrogant.  If you take my statements as a personal attack, think about why they hit so close to home.

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ORIGINAL: Irishknight

But how often does intolerance hide its face by pretending to be tearing down ignorance?  More often than not.

How often does the intolerant majority try to paint all of those who are different as superstitious or, even worse, as child molesters?  How often do children of the "accepted religions" get raped by the very clergy who condemn those who are of different faiths as being dangerous to our children?  How many of those assaults are hidden to protect the church?  Most of them.

To appoint yourself to tear down another's belief system is to show a bit of ignorance mixed with a great deal of arrogance.  No one has the market cornered on God.  ALL religions are flawed due to the basic human nature of the worshippers.  We should never belittle someone's religion unless it harms another.  God has many faces and none of them is a bigot.

I'm not accusing anyone here of being that arrogant.  If you take my statements as a personal attack, think about why they hit so close to home.

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ORIGINAL: Alumbrado

Some criticism is aimed at all the purely human created religions and churches...and their human created dogma, creeds, myths, and superstitions... they way they use those things to manipulate other humans for power while rejecting logic, common sense, or compassion... and the intolerance and hypocrisy they display when their actions are subjected to critical analysis. 

And politely and 'tolerantly' doing or saying nothing in the face of such human actions (whether they are wrapped in the flag of worship, patriotism, or any other 'ism'), some would say, is all that is needed for evil to triumph.

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ORIGINAL: Alumbrado

Serial killers are perfectly capable of acting nicely when they aren't actually killing someone... who is to say what 'goodness' is in anyone's hearts?

At the end of the day, 'religion' is a construct that promotes faith, obedience, acceptance of dogma and so forth, while rejecting internally directed logic, critical analysis, and empirical evidence... in the context of some people having power, status, titles, or other artifacts of suzerainty over other people.  Nothing about being a member of any religion makes anyone in the least little bit more special or better than others, in spite of all the hypocritical protestations to the contrary.

And that is a prime breeding ground for the worst in human nature and behavior... placing it all off limits from criticism, ridicule, or skepticism on the basis of the sincerity of some proponents, simply won't wash.

.

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ORIGINAL: Gwynvyd

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ORIGINAL: Alumbrado

Serial killers are perfectly capable of acting nicely when they aren't actually killing someone... who is to say what 'goodness' is in anyone's hearts?

At the end of the day, 'religion' is a construct that promotes faith, obedience, acceptance of dogma and so forth, while rejecting internally directed logic, critical analysis, and empirical evidence... in the context of some people having power, status, titles, or other artifacts of suzerainty over other people.  Nothing about being a member of any religion makes anyone in the least little bit more special or better than others, in spite of all the hypocritical protestations to the contrary.

And that is a prime breeding ground for the worst in human nature and behavior... placing it all off limits from criticism, ridicule, or skepticism on the basis of the sincerity of some proponents, simply won't wash.

.

Wow maybe that is the model of the religions you have come across.. but it certainly does not fit mine, or any of those I espouse.

Many people are bitter about Religion or any sort of spirituality. They are too used to the "Spoon fed" doctrines of some faiths. That *require* you to not think too much. Sadly some people think these are all that is out there. Like it or lump it.

There are religons and Churches that *require* you to _think_ to _feel_ to have your own set of Beliefs.. and not to just follow along with any pack.

I wish more took the time to seek them out. To actauly have a personal Spiritual side of thier lives where no one else dictates what they should think or feel.

~ not all are sheep. Not all are walking around half asleep. Some - and very few it may be~ are fully awake and aware of thier Spirituality. ~ And no Church or Doctrine could change that fact.

I respect all ~ regardless of what path they may or may not be on.

No one deserves ridicule. If you are not above or better then others.. you have no reason to ridicule others or thier thoughts or beliefs.

It simply is not your, or any one elses place.

If you or they think you are better then anyone else.. then you are deluded.

Gwyn

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ORIGINAL: candystripper

You were raised Catholic and Baptist?  How did that work?  Of all the mainstream religions I'm come into contact with, no two seem to hold the other in lower regard than these...your parents must have been exceptional people.
 
candystripper