Should we be tolerant of religions that we find offensive such as Islam?

Question

The manner in which the followers of Islam treats followers of other beliefs, the way they treat former Islamists who have converted to other religions(or none), and the way that women are treated is very offensive to me. Why then, should I be expected to tolerate such a religion?

Answer 1

I don't find Islam offensive its those crazy radicals who I cn't stand !!

Answer 2

I have always found ignorance offensive and in today's society their is lots to take your choice from.
There are aspects of Islam such as the poetry of Sufism, which I find very spiritual, so we must take into consideration that there exists different branches of Islam.
However I must be honest and admit that I do find Islamic Fundamentalists offensive, as I believe all life is sacred even the lives of those who seek to be our enemies.
No one in their right mind would wish for conflict, yet Just as Britain did not want to fight another war, Adolf Hitler forced their hand , by his own brand of Fundamental fascism.
If a movement of people wish to destroy our ways of life, then I guess we will have to meet the threat head on but with the uttermost integrity and intelligence.
We have tolerated Islam because in our secular and Christian country, we have been true to our Beliefs by tolerating our neighbours.
The Islamic Fundamentalist is damaging the relationship between his Religion, and community, and the non Muslim world. Only Muslim will pay the higher price, it is a dangerious folly to antagonise any host nation, for it gives rise to the British National Party, who feed on paranoia and religious hatred.
There are other ways to protest against injustices, without taking a life, as Gandi realised in India.
I wish the Muslim world wide would take his advice and demonstrate peacefully, I am sure the world would look upon their political arguments such as the Gaza strip in a more understanding light.
Yet strange for a Buddhist, I keep on hearing the words of Jesus echoing in my mind, remarking, "For those who live by the sword die by the sword". There seems a never ending cycle of brutality and suffering committed by both sides in this argument.
If we are not careful, we all could end up wiping each other off the face of the earth, then what would have one the day, but the evil vices of ignorance and hatred, hardly holy war, yet wholly insane.

Answer 3

You'll find that the way of Islam is very different to how it is portrayed. There are splinter cells of Islams called Fundamentalists (There in every religion). These are the people that do things so obscene because of their religion that it makes headlines so this behaviour is the only islamic behaviour that is widely known and thus leading to the stereotype that you are finding so offensive. So yes, you should be tolerant of all religions but remember that tolerance isn't the same as acceptance.

Answer 4

You have the right to be intolerant, but no disrespectful. In your own opinions, which as a human you have the right to express publicly, you can agree or disagree as much as you want. You have the right to try to make a change, to increase awareness, and to reach the isolated, but still, you should respect the limits set by each culture and civilization.

I know what you’re thinking: most of the time the religion in question disregards all this, and pounces with utter hostility towards the smallest of things it finds dislikeable. So why should we? Well the answer is:

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

—Luke 23:34

Answer 5

Why is Islam offensive to you. We are supposed to treat people of other religions as equals and also women, so what is your problem? Maybe the muslims you have heard of are not like this, but it does not mean it is Islam that tells them to do this. It's like, if one christian kills someone, it does not mean that all christians are murderers, does it?

Edit: And to that racist "ledinhed" idiot. "They migrate to our countries"...erm a lot of muslims ARE from those countries, are you forgetting that people do convert. How would you like it if they said that you should migrate out of their country for not believing in what they believe in, because their country IS your country. Do you see me preaching hatred towards you? You're the only one preaching hatred right now, and there's no need to swear. It's not going to make people listen to you, is it? "Have a shower?" LOL. Are you indicating that we are dirty people when we have to wash 5 times a day to pray, and wash ourselves when we go toilet everytime, AND still shower. Come on now, don't be silly.

Answer 6

This is actually an excellent point and the real answer is that you shouldnt. If someone said he was going to vote for a secular political party that promoted the degradation of women and violence against everyone not conforming to their own ideals we'd be disgusted and probably say so but if someone says their violence and prejudice is religiously based we have to say 'I respect that'.

I dont quite understand the whole sensitivity to religion issue - it doesnt seem to be in the spirit of free speech or democracy which is what any decent world is going to be built on.

Answer 7

I am a non-believer. I am tolerant of people believing whatever they like. However, I have a problem with the issue of belief itself, and I never let an opportunity go by to question what people believe. And the behaviour of people acting under the influence of religion is sometimes a little .....rubbish.

Answer 8

Dont judge Islam by the Muslims but the Holy text. Yes if a Muslim doesn any unlawful act then punish them.

Most of the Muslims today are flowing away from the Quran and Hadith thats why the Muslim countries are 3rd world. They are becoming currupt and its their own fault. There are a lot of Mulims that dont even practice like my friends they dont even complet the second pillar of Islam (salaah which is prayer).

Answer 9

People on their answers keep saying things like "how many do you personally know" and "I know a mate who accepts me".

They are missing the point.

Of course you can find civilised people if you look, the POINT is that the religion DOES insist on killing, it DOES promote terror (it uses that very word), it DOES insist on Sharia law - the one which is used to stone a women who complains she has been raped - as iunless 4 witnesses, the man is "innocent" but by her own admission, she has had unlawful sex.

This isn't what Bush / Blair / Media says, that is what Qu'ran and Sharia law ORDER all Msulims to do.

Yes, the better Muslims may decide to ignore their religious order to bring about terror to those of different faiths - however many of them DO follow their orders as fully as they can.

It is odd that we are expected to be tolerant of religions that actually preach terror and death to anyone not of THEIR religion.

If there is a God, he must weep.

Answer 10

Dude.... I'm not religious but i think you are generalising that all Muslims are like this.... I have friends from different religions including people who follow Islam....and they all tolerate each others beliefs and they don't ram their beliefs down my gob.... Don't believe everything you read in the news as if its every muslim or christian etc.

Answer 11

Judging by answers and questions of believers of other religions, THEY think 'WE Christians' are offensive and we do know that there are many Christians who also treat their women different from man.
Right trough the bible women were treated as second class or as animals, and any man 'taking a woman from behind' threats her like a *****. We Christians not only expect others to respect us, but we DEMAND it by treathening them that they will go to hell hell...
So what is the difference?