Looking down on the religious
Lately, I have been writing replies to religious people that are extremely condescending or invlove mocking them (I try not to post them in the end). Does this make people more or less likely to reevaluate their beliefs? Should we treat the religious as if they actually have a point (like we do with climate deniers) or put pressure on them to quit being crazy? It seems to me they put huge amounts of social pressure on people to believe and that is working for them (I won't be publicly atheist until my mother dies because I don't want the pressure she would put on me).
(I would like to predict that a religious person will read this and make some comment about christian persecution and how the end times are coming)
They need a good mocking
Side Score: 13
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Respect their beliefs
Side Score: 14
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We need to do it in a way that isn't mean spirited unless cultivating ill will is our aim. My favorite religious satire of all time was "Life of Brian", I think it's a masterpiece. The Broadway musical: "The Book of Mormon" had me in stitches. But looking down on people because they have different (and probably not really more harmful) types of misunderstandings than we do, is something we should avoid Side: They need a good mocking
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That has got to be one of the dumbest reason to leave Christianity solely based on it being mocked. On other hand, Christians should know that they are going to be mocked because Jesus himself was mocked as well so when he was mocked so are his believers. Side: They need a good mocking
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NobodyKnows explained that he left Christianity because he researched the issue and used rational thinking to come to a logical conclusion (did I get this right NobodyKnows?). Also, no offence, but I would mock a person if they came up to me and said "I'm the son of the holy sky-wizard". Side: They need a good mocking
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While I do respect a persons right to believe and worship what they want, the ultra religious here in the United States seem to think they have the monopoly on "morality" and see tolerance of their beliefs as never criticizing them. While I don't believe that they should be mocked personally (like saying their dumb for believing in this stuff), their religion as a whole should be open to criticism. Like the religious like to say "love the sinner, hate the sin", I say "love/like/tolerate the person, criticize their belief. Side: They need a good mocking
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religious: root word is religion Religion: Google Web Definitions: the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods Merriam-Webster Definitions: the belief in a god or in a group of gods Wikipedia: The typical dictionary definition of religion refers to a "belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods" or the "service and worship of God or the supernatural" The Free Dictionary Definitions: Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe Dictionary.com Definitions: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs Atheism does not fit under any of these definitions; so atheists are not religious. /GetEducated Side: They need a good mocking
Kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. Mocking someone for what they believe is counterproductive; engaging in a civil discussion and critically analyzing the beliefs together would be more beneficial to both sides of the spectrum. On the other hand, I don't believe in the idea that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This notion creates more confusion then anything. If a person believes abortion is wrong, they don’t just believe it is only wrong for them to do, they believe it is wrong for anyone to do. In a democratic system this leads to the problems we currently have where considerably large groups of people with the idea that their opinion matters just as much as anyone’s are pushing and pulling the law makers in order to try and appease the entire population. It just won’t work. I believe in disputes such as these, there is an opinion that matters more than the other, and in those cases I do not feel that it would be right to respect everyone’s beliefs. Ultimately, a person should be free to do what they want unless their actions restrict the freedom of another. In matters where a person’s beliefs are used to justify such a restriction on another’s freedom, I will not respect their belief. Side: They need a good mocking
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I say, respect the person, unless and until they prove totally unworthy of it. The belief is fair game, though. Untenable philosophies, no matter how deeply held, need to be identified and challenged. This is how society improves and advances. But I generally try to avoid looking down on people just because they are religious. I'll admit, I've engaged in a little Christian mockery. Sometimes its just too damn easy. But I at least try to keep it in check. Some of the more aggressive atheists are far too fond of shaming, and I think there are better ways to prove your point than to take your opponent's tactics. Side: Respect their beliefs
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I agree with you but... Where do we draw the line between being religious and being crazy? The difference between regarding a person as religious person or crazy is purely subjective, I believe. Therefor your argument doesn't help us decide when it is OK to mock someone. :p Side: Respect their beliefs
I leave that up to you. If someone is being mocked you have to determine if the mockery is warranted. I can't give a definitive way to determine if it is warranted without context. I usually mock someone for ignoring science. I also mock people for claiming their beliefs are being infringed upon by other people doing stuff. Side: Respect their beliefs
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People tend to become defensively stubborn when someone attacks their beliefs or traditions in a disrespectful manner. If you really want to change someone's views, you should just tell them in a respectful way how you think they are wrong - if that doesn't work, nothing will, so you can just quit trying :) Side: Respect their beliefs
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It depends on the situation. If you're actually trying to get through to them and make them reevaluate their beliefs then try to avoid mockery and condescension. However if you don't care and it's something like a youtube comment or they're so far gone and delusional then go ahead and mock them. Side: Respect their beliefs
No matter how many times people call me names, mock my beliefs, or say bad things about my beliefs nothing is going to change about what I believe. In the mean time other Christians and myself will be respectful to the people who call us names, mock our beliefs, or say bad things about it. I'm not going to give up just because of those reasons. You can call me crazy but I'm sticking to my beliefs till the day I die. And name calling, and mocking won't change them so it's useless to even insult my beliefs. Side: Respect their beliefs
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