I know White Daisy just started a topic on racism, so I thought I'd start one on religious bigotry (or whatever the correct term is). It really bothers me when people make fun of, or even criticize, other people just because they have a different belief system. Just like with different ethnic groups and sexual preferences, people with different religious backgrounds (or lack thereof) are entitled to respect. I'm sick and tired of being made fun of and being criticized just because I happen to be a Christian and I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savoir. I don't believe in reincarnation and multiple gods and things like that, but you don't see ME making fun of people who believe in that stuff.

My entire immediate family is comprised of my parents and two brothers, all four of them became "born-again Christians" at different times in the last seven years or so. On top of that, I have many aunts, uncles, and cousins who also share their beliefs.

I'm agnostic, so you can imagine how much fun they have with me at family gatherings. It's almost torture. They might as well chant "ONE OF US! ONE OF US!" and point their fingers at me.

As a Christian, I know Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I don't believe in any other religious beliefs, but I won't make fun of people who do.

Urgh! Don't get me started on this!!! :mad:
Fu]k!ng bastards telling me I'm going to hell just cos I'm not straight! What right do these people have to tell me how to live?? I don't believe in God and Heaven and all that stuff as portrayed in the Bible. If believing in God helps these people to sleep at night then fair enough but I don't want them forcing their beliefs on me!
Religion is just a front for people who hate. They sit there and say that homosexuality is wrong because "it says so in the Bible". Stop hiding behind your religion!!!! If you think that gay people are sinners then you're a hater - pure and simple.
There's a Christian TV channel on satalite in the UK called 'Wonderful' (you may know it - I think it's broadcast from the States) and it regularly shows a programme called 'Set Free' which is specifically about how homosexuality is morally wrong and perverse. A gay friend of mine told me about the show so I tuned in out of curiosity and it made me so angry! It also made me feel ill at the same time - the thought that there are people out there perpetrating such hate and discrimination in the name of religion makes me so sad and frustrated. I am appalled that such discriminatory material is allowed to be broadcast on television. If there were a channel exclusively showing racist programming it would be shut down immediately so how can a channel expressing blatant homophobia be allowed to broadcast unchecked??? I felt physically ill when that so-called religious 'expert' came on and warned us about the "plague of homsexuality" that was "poisoning" our lives!
Fu]K!ing ba$tard$!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a Catholic and beleive all the teaching the Catholic Church teaches...Alot of people usually have problems with them, but I know what I beleive and that's perfect for me.

I agree. It shouldn't matter what religion you are or what race or sexual preference you prefer. We are all people and we'll all die at one time in our lives. It would be nice if the world was just open minded about everyone's differences. We all think differently, but should appreciate others opinions and beliefs as well. Oh well, just my two cents. :wave:

I believe in reincarnation and anytime I bring it up, people usually think I'm making a joke, so they laugh. I don't really think that's religious bigotry. They didn't know better, and reincarnation and such things are usually used in a joking manner. So they laugh until they realize I'm not laughing so they stop. It's just when people ask, "Why in the hell would you believe in that?" that I start getting offended. Usually people are interested. They want to know how I think reincarnation is possible.

The thing is that my family is half-Muslim. My grandma still believes that she can convert the latest generation so she's held me to a promise. I have to fast for Ramadan every year. I've been doing it since I was a kid. It's sort of like a mixed-religion for me. After 9/11, when people knew I was fasting, they'd sneer or make some snide comment. I think Islam is a beautiful religion and people like bin Laden are not true Muslims. People think that as racist as my grandmother is (she's very anti-America), she'd be pro-bin Laden, but she's not. She wants bin Laden dead, she thinks he's ruining the religion and killing so many innocent Muslims. However, I think that if bin Laden was not responsible for the death of Muslims, and only killed Americans, she wouldn't be so anti-terrorism.

I too am fed up with the way some people try to push their religious beliefs on others. I feel that you are allowed to believe in and follow whatever religion that feels right to you. You shouldn't have to be told that "you're going to hell" because your beliefs are different from the majority. I thought that what made everyone special was their individuality? How could we be individuals if we all believed the same thing? Look at a lot of the world's problems right now. Many of them are a result of religious bigotry that has gotten out of hand. I was wondering today if the world would have so many problems if there wasn't any religion. There wouldn't be religious fundamentalists that attack individuals because their beliefs are different. But then I concluded that this world would still have the problems it has because it seems to be human nature to fight.

Bigotry causes too many problems...

Mossopp, people like that drive me crazy too. Not all Christians feel that way. I could care less about what a person's sexual preference is. I don't think that homosexuality is wrong or evil and I would never tell a gay person that they are going to Hell because it iis not up to me to decide who gets into Heaven or Hell. I think you are an awesome person :D

I've gotten some crap from other Christians because I refuse to see homosexuality as wrong, I don't mind seeing a little sex and violence in TV and movies, I don't agree with the Parent's TV Council (www.parentsTV.org), I can't stand Touched by an Angel, I listen to a lot of secular music, and some other stuff. I just ignore them though.

I wish everyone could accept everyone else just the way they arepeace:

I Dont believe In Religion, I Believe In God. But whatever religion people are, It doesent bother me. Although i must admit im not very fond of Satan Worshippers. Not Atheists, My best friend is an Atheist actually, But i mean people that actually worship Satan. I Think Thats Wrong.

I was born and raised a Catholic. My family is also Catholic. My mother and father are hardly Catholics. My mother goes to Church every Sunday only because my grandmother would jump down her throat if she didn't. My father is currently 'mad' at God (I don't know- don't ask), so he does not go to Church anymore. When I actually believed in God, Catholicism scared the hell out of me, as did any organized religion. My Church was full of fakes and phonies. Anyway, I have since forth changed my belief, and I'm now an Athiest. I can't tell my family, because my mother and father will kick me out of the house (Why? They aren't even religious people) so I have to go to Church, go to Sunday School and sit there, grin and bare it, and pretend I believe in God. Isn't that sad? I have to pretend I believe in God because of the prejudiced people around me. Now in school, if someone asks "Do you believe in God?" I'll tell them a straightforward "no, I don't" and they will look at me with a look of total disgust on their face. Why can't people just accept other people's beliefs and we'll all be peachy keen? I'm sick of people jumping down my throat because I don't believe in God. Well, sor-ry! Maybe in a few years my beliefs will change, we'll see. As for now, you respect my beliefs and I'll respect yours.

These days, it seems the only group in this country that it's permissible to discriminate against (and sometimes it's even encouraged!) are people of faith.

One of the distubing patterns I've noticed within the current anti-war movement is an growing undercurrent of anti semitism. People are certainly entitled to express their opinions opposing military action against Iraq, but there seems to be a faction which is using the anti-war movement as a cover to advance their anti-Jewish and anti-Israel agenda. I'm not saying everyone opposed to the war is guilty of this - but if you look closely, and look objectively, you'll see that anti semitic undercurrent.

Religion is resposible for more wars than land!

I'll take this time to state to the world that I have no religion! I believe in God, I believe Jesus died to save us. However, I believe in letting people live by there own belief system and subjecting ourselves to religious boarders only creates tention and bigotry. And I know a ton of people who just love to bash people and there religion to make themselves feel better. What's really sad about it is, these people actually believe they are going to heaven. Somehow, I doubt God will add points for bashing...
I feel sorry for those people.



To all you who except people for who and what they are, thank you. You are what it means to be human, and I believe you will be the first to see those Pearly Gates.

Religion is evil!
I have no religion!

Originally posted by Max Whittaker
Religion is resposible for more wars than land!

I'll take this time to state to the world that I have no religion! I believe in God, I believe Jesus died to save us. However, I believe in letting people live by there own belief system and subjecting ourselves to religious boarders only creates tention and bigotry. And I know a ton of people who just love to bash people and there religion to make themselves feel better. What's really sad about it is, these people actually believe they are going to heaven. Somehow, I doubt God will add points for bashing...
I feel sorry for those people.



To all you who except people for who and what they are, thank you. You are what it means to be human, and I believe you will be the first to see those Pearly Gates.

Religion is evil!
I have no religion!

I Agree with you 100%, That is also my way of Life. I Believe In God, I Pray, I Believe Jesus Died for us, and i believe in the Bible (Although i admit i have never really read much of it) But i do not believe in Religion. I Feel By picking a religion you are just picking sides. I Dont think Religion is evil, But its not something that i go by anymore.

I have been raised Catholic all my life and consider myself a Catholic but there are some things with the religion I just don't agree with. Like the fact that homosexuals are going to Hell, I think that is so stupid, and I can't stand going to church. I would never force my beliefs on someone else and I hate when someone else tries to force theirs on me. I'm open to listening about others beliefs but I'm not going to chnage everything I believe just because someone else believes their ideas are right because who knows who is right? For all we know all these religions could be wrong about everything. We will never know until we die and then the truth will be revealed.

Religion was created to control people. "Let's tell them, if they don't do what we say, that they will go to hell"...It's a crock. I say, believe in god all you want, but forget about religion!

I believe in God , I pray to him, I work in a Church that happens to be my Church but do I go every Saturday (the church has Wednesday,Saturday and Sunday services) no I dont
does that make me a bad person I dont think so
and Mossop I agree with wingsfan Not everyone thinks that way I mean I"m a christian but I have alot of friends that are Gay do I think they'll wind up in Hell because of it NOOOO far from it I think its wrong for people to make you think that

I am a Christian (I actually hate to use the term) and I believe in God, and that Jesus died for me and...in talking about religion and all, sometimes I even get to this point, do I believe because it's a nice little intellectual system that works if you THINK it does, or do I BELIEVE because something "out there" (or more WITHIN)
has touched me...Is Christianity what I officially believe, or is there more to believing than that... Everyone knows that I am a big fan of Lisa Whelchel, who has personally helped me through difficult times a year and a half ago, but...I have a hard time totally connecting to her official beliefs as a Charismatic. Sometimes I feel the real thing right now for me to focus on using my art and creativity and ideas to do more things to improve my life. I struggled for years trying to be a Fund-gelical Christian and
be artistic at the same time. To me art IS religion.

Everyone's got to find their own way spiritually. It may or may not require belief in God.

Originally posted by Miss Karly
I was born and raised a Catholic. My family is also Catholic. My mother and father are hardly Catholics. My mother goes to Church every Sunday only because my grandmother would jump down her throat if she didn't. My father is currently 'mad' at God (I don't know- don't ask), so he does not go to Church anymore. When I actually believed in God, Catholicism scared the hell out of me, as did any organized religion. My Church was full of fakes and phonies. Anyway, I have since forth changed my belief, and I'm now an Athiest. I can't tell my family, because my mother and father will kick me out of the house (Why? They aren't even religious people) so I have to go to Church, go to Sunday School and sit there, grin and bare it, and pretend I believe in God. Isn't that sad? I have to pretend I believe in God because of the prejudiced people around me. Now in school, if someone asks "Do you believe in God?" I'll tell them a straightforward "no, I don't" and they will look at me with a look of total disgust on their face. Why can't people just accept other people's beliefs and we'll all be peachy keen? I'm sick of people jumping down my throat because I don't believe in God. Well, sor-ry! Maybe in a few years my beliefs will change, we'll see. As for now, you respect my beliefs and I'll respect yours.

KICK YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE????? SERIOUSLY???? That is sad....:( I'm beginning to understand a little more how you feel...

I am supposed to be Catholic, but like ILoveLucyfan4eva said, it's hard to agree with some of the teachings. So I have become an atheist. I don't put down people who believe in God; I have no problem with that. But I don't like it when they attempt to force their ideals on me. There isn't a thing in the Constitution about "freedom of worship" for nothing.

Originally posted by JOHN LENNON LIVES
Religion was created to control people. "Let's tell them, if they don't do what we say, that they will go to hell"...It's a crock. I say, believe in god all you want, but forget about religion!

Forget about...what was it, again?:confused:







:lol:

Originally posted by Chad Doody
I Dont believe In Religion, I Believe In God. But whatever religion people are, It doesent bother me. Although i must admit im not very fond of Satan Worshippers. Not Atheists, My best friend is an Atheist actually, But i mean people that actually worship Satan. I Think Thats Wrong.

I get where you are coming from. People on the board whether you are born again or not, don't waste so much time getting angry at these posts on the board. It does not do you any good. You really woundn't be able to change the minds of others overnight. I'm a strong Christian and there is proof of God in my life so I cannot deny that and I won't do that for anyone. I do agree with Brain Damages comment about how others put down christians. It's wrong to do that. But to argue really makes no sense so I stopped doing that.

Originally posted by WingsFan
I know White Daisy just started a topic on racism, so I thought I'd start one on religious bigotry (or whatever the correct term is). It really bothers me when people make fun of, or even criticize, other people just because they have a different belief system. Just like with different ethnic groups and sexual preferences, people with different religious backgrounds (or lack thereof) are entitled to respect. I'm sick and tired of being made fun of and being criticized just because I happen to be a Christian and I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savoir. I don't believe in reincarnation and multiple gods and things like that, but you don't see ME making fun of people who believe in that stuff. Bigotry is a strong word. Anything that results in hate and manifests itelf in physical or verbal abuse falls into the category of bigotry. But you have to understand that belief in God and all that that entails seems no more reasonable to the non-beiliever than believing that Santa Clause flys all over the world in one night with a bunch of reindeer and a sled. And when he gets to every kids house he slides down the chimney with a bag full of gifts. I'm serious. That is no exageration of how Christianity is thought of by non-believers. For you to not expect some good-natured or not so good-natured ridicule is just expecting too much.

Bigotry implies ignorance and prejudice (PRE-JUDGING), expressing contempt without knowledge. I think that just about everyone on this board, whether they believe in God or religion or not, has some kind of respect toward another person's beliefs, etc., even if they may not agree with them. But there are some people who are so heavy-handed and dogmatic about what they believe that they project THEIR prejudices on others, i.e., homosexuality, etc. Some people may also express their religious views in a way that only brings scorn and ridicule on themselves.
I know there are a lot of people who are burned out on religion here who are that way because religious people have been known to act hateful toward them.

Originally posted by White_Daisy
I believe in reincarnation and anytime I bring it up, people usually think I'm making a joke, so they laugh. I don't really think that's religious bigotry. They didn't know better, and reincarnation and such things are usually used in a joking manner. So they laugh until they realize I'm not laughing so they stop. It's just when people ask, "Why in the hell would you believe in that?" that I start getting offended. Usually people are interested. They want to know how I think reincarnation is possible.

The thing is that my family is half-Muslim. My grandma still believes that she can convert the latest generation so she's held me to a promise. I have to fast for Ramadan every year. I've been doing it since I was a kid. It's sort of like a mixed-religion for me. After 9/11, when people knew I was fasting, they'd sneer or make some snide comment. I think Islam is a beautiful religion and people like bin Laden are not true Muslims. People think that as racist as my grandmother is (she's very anti-America), she'd be pro-bin Laden, but she's not. She wants bin Laden dead, she thinks he's ruining the religion and killing so many innocent Muslims. However, I think that if bin Laden was not responsible for the death of Muslims, and only killed Americans, she wouldn't be so anti-terrorism.

Unfortunately, when some people don't understand something, they respond with ridicule. In several of your recent posts, you've talked about some unpleasant experiences you've had with a number of different people. I give you a lot of credit, White Daisy. It would be very easy to for you to conclude that the majority of people in this country agree with these people, and act the same way, but they do not. You seem to be doing a good job of keeping these incidents - including your Grandmother's views - in the proper perspective. In the words of Shakespear, "To thine own self be true".

Originally posted by Jimbo


Unfortunately, when some people don't understand something, they respond with ridicule. In several of your recent posts, you've talked about some unpleasant experiences you've had with a number of different people. I give you a lot of credit, White Daisy. It would be very easy to for you to conclude that the majority of people in this country agree with these people, and act the same way, but they do not. You seem to be doing a good job of keeping these incidents - including your Grandmother's views - in the proper perspective. In the words of Shakespear, "To thine own self be true".

I'm sure everyone's been through those experiences, but it makes you stronger if you come out of it still open to all. Alright, so I'm a sap. I think everyone's good at heart, they just go through bad experiences. So people have said terrible things to me, they're the ones who will have to go through the pain of knowing they were wrong.

I know America isn't full of racists. If it were, I know I'd be chased out before I even step foot in NY. I've met some spectacular people in this country who have proved to me that not everyone is ignorant. There's a rotten apple in every...you know the saying. It's worth encountering that rotten apple for all the other good ones.

Aw, this has nothing to do with the topic, I have to say something that does relate to it.

"Religion is a candle inside a multicolored lantern. Everyone looks through a particular color, but the candle is always there."
-Mohammed Neguib

Originally posted by JOHN LENNON LIVES
Religion was created to control people. "Let's tell them, if they don't do what we say, that they will go to hell"...It's a crock. I say, believe in god all you want, but forget about religion!
i believe in GOD! and an afterlife.
but i don't believe in religion!
remember everybody god did'nt create religion.
human beings did!
and with that you get the human element(greed,intolerance and arrogance)
but don't get me wrong we live in a free country and everybody has a right to believe what they want to believe as long as don't impose their religious believes on other people.

I have a firm belief in God. I am and active church member, and I honestly believe that God has helped me through a lot in my life and has saved me from the flames of Hell. However, I do not like it when Christians are extremely prejudice, and even hate, people who maybe are substance abusers, or homosexuals. The things they are doing may be a sin, but being prejudice against them and hating them are just as big of sins as what they are doing. I don't believe in juding people, and I know I am guilty of that sometimes, and for that I have to ask forgiveness. I personally dont like to go around telling people they are going to Hell if they dont repent. I don't believe in scaring people into believing something. I think you should tell them like it is, but don't emphasize on the things that would scare them. But that's just my two cents and my opinion.

I believe in God, but I'm not keen on organized religion. It's big business to me.
I think if you lead a decent life and treat others well, and if there's a heaven, you've earned admission.
I don't like anyone to preach their beliefs to me or try to convert me.
I used to have lunch with a very religious co-worker, but I stopped because she started telling me to go to church, to read the bible, etc.
I don't criticize anyone for their beliefs and religious practices and I expect the same consideration in return.

Originally posted by Janice
I believe in God, but I'm not keen on organized religion. It's big business to me.
I think if you lead a decent life and treat others well, and if there's a heaven, you've earned admission.
I don't like anyone to preach their beliefs to me or try to convert me.
I used to have lunch with a very religious co-worker, but I stopped because she started telling me to go to church, to read the bible, etc.
I don't criticize anyone for their beliefs and religious practices and I expect the same consideration in return.

Well, Janice I'm not one to shove those things down someone's throat. Those are things I can tell them that would be an asset to do but to do it to the point of annoying, that is terrible. Is that what this co-worker did to you? I mean there are people that are just gonna have to realize some things for their own selves in due time.

Originally posted by ThomasE
Those are things I can tell them that would be an asset to do but to do it to the point of annoying, that is terrible. Is that what this co-worker did to you?
Yes, she drove me nuts. We'd go for lunch at the food court everyday. It started off slow...she was a youth leader in her church, so she'd talk about that constantly and I mean constantly...sang in the church choir. She belonged to a Baptist Church, and I'm Catholic. She'd pray before her meals which was fine.
As time went on, she got preachy and started asking about my religious practices. I go to church to attend weddings, funerals, baptisms, confirmations, etc. I guess I'm a non-practicing Catholic, but I do believe in God.
I offer no apology for this. I truly believe if you lead a decent life, you're going to Heaven, if it exists.
To be honest, I'm one of the nicest people I know. That sounds nuts, but the people in my life will attest that I'm generous to a fault with my money, my time, everything. I wish I had someone like me in my life, lol.
The final straw with her was the day she said to me, "Janice, you have to go to church....praise the Lord, etc. You'll go to hell if you don't."
That was the last time I ever had lunch with her. I'm sure she meant well, but religion is a personal thing, and I don't want anyone to try to 'save' me.