Why is faith in "god" used a blind justification for bigotry and hatred?

Question

So many times I have read replies in here that clearly illustrate a blind malfunction of independent cognition when someone wants to justify bigotry, discrimination and hatred they cite "god" as an excuse. Is that not hypocritical for a "christian" (or indeed any other faith)? Should such faiths not teach TOLERANCE of diversity?
And what makes these bigots so confident that their teachers and sources are accurate? I mean, if you haven't directly spoken to the relevant deity, ultimately at some point you must be taking someone else's word for it (ie another mortal human) and how do you test whether their interpretation is correct?
Sometimes I despair at the cruelty propagated in the name of "god".

Rhutson, thank you for some explanation. It still does not quite justify exclusions:
1. Where in the bible does it state that "sinners" should be persecuted or excluded; and,
2. If the only one deemed to suffer for the homosexual's "sin" is the homosexual on judgement day then let god make that judgement and reserve making that judgement for him.

Although written in all sincerity, the bible was written as you say several hundred years ago. Whether through divine guidance or human direction, it was written in a different sociocultural climate to the one in which we live today.
Wars have been waged over dispute not just between reliogions but WITHIN the same religions arguing over interpretation.
How can you be sure YOUR interpretation of the book as it stands today is any more accurate than other warring sects have argued in the past.
The cornerstone of societal evolution has come about through acceptance of others, acceptance of diversity and freedom of choice.

Rick B, thank you.
You speak complete sense and I am grateful to have heard what you said, it restores in me the confidence that simple human decency prevails.

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I'm afraid you misunderstand the question. I propgate no bigotry against your church, indeed why the defensive posturing? As Rock's answer illustrates, this is not about religion as a fault; simply it's indiscriminate abuse in the hands of a defined minority to justify abuse of others.
If you read the rest of this dialogue you will appreciate the "rant" you perceive from me advocates only one theme, that of mutual TOLERANCE. Tolerance on all our parts, mine included, that people have a right to choose and a right to be free. (I am not american incidentally, but the British Magna Carta says something similar).

Thanks folks for some very insightful comments.
GayGod, I'm afraid the level of explanation you offer goes right back to the primary fault I talked about. Knee jerk philosophy, absent cognition.
Just because one statement reads that way, yet other passages in the same book contradict it... ??!!
Think with your own grey cells, not someone elses and lose the agro.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, this happens all to frequently. They will use God to justify what they believe is true.

In Romans, chapter 10, verse 12 we read this:

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." (King James Version)

And again in Galatians, chapter 3, verses 28 and 29:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male or female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."(KJV)

Now I know that these verses do not mention Africa, England, and any other nation. But you can include that in the word Greek.
These are not the only verses that say what these three have said.

But sometimes what the Bible teaches is taken so far out of context, that you can literally make it say what you want through manipulation. But these people that do this forget that the Bible teaches love for all without discrimination. All of us are in the same boat.

In First John 3:14 we read:

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." (KJV)

Now if there is anything that clarifies who are brethren are, I would like those who spout out the hate about others to show me from the Bible. As far as I can tell, from the parable of the good samaritan that Jesus gave it does not matter who the person is.

Now before I stop this answer, let me just say as a Christian I am sorry for those who are intolerant of other peoples based upon color of skin and so on. Let me apologize for those Christians who use a loving God to spread their bigotry and hatred to others. We are told to go to all the world,(notice the word ALL in this sentence), and make disciples. Not just go to Caucasians, Mexicans, or whoever. Along with going to all the world we are supposed to show love. That is how you will know a true Christian, thier love for all people.

Again I apologize and ask for forgiveness of my brethren that do these very hateful things.

Answer 2

Do you not realize that one should be tolerant to the diversity of Religion? Your statement clearly illustrates a blind malfunction of independent cognition on your part. Why are you so confident in assuming that all people of faith fall into the category of bigots? Did you not realize that the United States Constitution allows the freedom of religion? As long as there is a human race, there will be diversity. There is a old saying that undoubtedly describes your rantings. It's like the pot calling the kettle black. Sometimes I despair at the cruelty propagated against the name of MY god.

Answer 3

I guess I would ask you is tolerance of diversity the same thing as acceptance of diversity. I tolerate homosexuals. I certainly would not harm anyone of that persuasion I don't believe they should be fired from thier jobs or anything else bad should happen. However I don't have to accept their behavior as what is deemed normal or healthy in any sense.

There are people that are extremely bigoted in their opinion. Some of these people base their view points on religious beliefs. I would challenge you to read some about King James I. This was the English King that chartered the first translation of the Bible and is still the best translation ever created. This King put together the finest minds in the world to translate the ancient manuscripts. This is not a document that is easily dismissed.

I accept that this Book is the "inspired word of God". I don't believe that it was just written by a group of men that nobody ever heard of. God actually inspired these men to put into words what he wanted to say to the human race. It is a book that is as relevant today as it was 10, 50, or 400 years ago.

But, enough preaching. Sin is what separates man from God. This is why Jesus had to die to become the sacrifice for your sin and mine. In the Bible, both Old and New Testaments are verses which ban Christians from homosexual behavior. The term homosexual is not used in the Bible but the statement; "A man lying with another man as a woman" is very clear in its implications to me. This behavior is termed an abomination before God.

An "Abomination" by Wikipedia is termed:
1. The feeling of extreme disgust and hatred; abhorrence; detestation; loathing; as, he holds tobacco in abomination.
2. That which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution.
3. A cause of pollution or wickedness.

So, if this sin is termed an abomination, the only sin so termed, and this book is the inspired word of God then this is a sin abhorrent to God. Christians believe that a person who dies with unforgiven sin will go to hell. Verses in the BIble indicate they will be cast into the lake of fire. This is why so many people have strong feelings about homosexuality.

Many persons take their beliefs too far and cross over into bigotry and hatred. No true Christian hates homosexuals however hating the sin is a different story. If anyone, not just homosexuals , will not turn from their sin then the Bible is also very clear that they are to be removed from the fellowship. This does not mean that we are to give up on them and we shold continue to pray for them and hope they will turn from their sin.

I hope you will decide to read the Bible for yourself and make your own decision based on what you read and your own beliefs. Eventually we all have to come to grips with our relationship to God. God Bless You and study to show thyself approved!!!!

Answer 4

I absolutely love you.

You asked this question perfectly and very politely.

I have always wondered why supposed 'clear-thinking' people could take the word of someone else, and then live and breathe by that word.

If these people would think for themselves and use their head to study scripture....really study it....ALONE...without someone else telling them what it means...they would put the book down and never pick it up again.

You are absolutely correct in your statement, 'ultimately, at some point, you must be taking someone else's word for it...'.

I SO agree with you. I am dying to see the answers.
Undoubtedly there'll be a ton of scripture thrown at you.
I'm sorry...

Answer 5

Evil people have always blamed a god for their evil ways.

Why should modern humans be any different than ancient ones?

It is so much easier to "justify" their hatred and bigotry when they can say that God agrees with them.

Blind faith is the kind that makes people blow themselves up to kill others.

I share your despair. I mourn the loss of so many souls to religious evil.

When people fear death and refuses responsibility for their lives/actions, they need a god to take up the slack. It's so much easier to believe they are "forgiven" than to have to live a decent life in the first place. Can you imagine the kinds of criminals these people would be if they didn't believe in their god?

Answer 6

There's a certain class of people who are taught certain views, and they have no need to question them. They are told that something is wrong (which they already agreed with), and even given a reason "the big G says so". That's good enough for them.
There's another class of people who hold certain views, as described above, but they want to make policy with these views. What's the one thing you can't really argue with? G-D. So, they emphasize the parts of scripture that they see fit to continue their agenda.

Answer 7

There are people who are arrogant enough to believe and hold those beliefs as undeniable truth.

Not comprehending of course that all of creation is much more than our puny hearts and minds can contain and quantify.

not acknowledging the power of Love and Compassion in the Deity.

not feeling the Grace and Blessing bestowed on us all by the Deity.

And stupid enough to apply labels to things they will never fully comprehend.

Answer 8

because those people that think they are holy people by not being kind to gays and others, they dont realize that God's main message was LOVE towards your fellow man. they dont know that they really aren't doing what the big man would approve of.

nice question

Answer 9

Thats what I've been trying to tell people all along :< no one listens because of course, they must be right >_> after all, they're always right about everything aren't they? :x

Answer 10

BECAUSE GOD HATES US!!!!!!!!!!!!! it says so in the f*cking bible. somewhere in Leviticus. "man shall not lye down with man like he would a woman. this is an ABOMINATION." what more do you need/want?