Why is it that it is acceptable to mock Christian beliefs?

Question

I'm looking for an honest answer. I'm not interested in being put down, nor am I interested in lame answers (from Christians and non-Christians alike).

I would just like to know, in this allegedly "tolerant" society we are supposed to live in, why it is acceptable to put down Christ and Christianity.

Yet, if we insult Allah, Mohamed, Wicca, atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or a host of other beliefs we are often viewed as intolerant, narrow, or close-minded.

I am not asking this as a Christian, but as a man. I just want to know why it has become acceptable to use "Jesus Christ" as a curse in society, but not any other deity or religious figure.

Ok, first off - thanks so much for the answers so quickly!

Secondly, Endora - get off your pillar. I am a Christian who happens to be gay. This "standard" response posted by so many people that "Christians don't follow Christ" is a load of hooey. Yes, there are a lot of judgmental Christians out there. But you also demonstrate that there are judgmental *non* Christians as well.

Answer 1

Hmm...Interesting question.
I think largely it's the association of Christianity with authority structures and figures that makes it a somewhat easy target. If one rebels against one's parents, for instance, there's a tendency to reject everything about which they are passionate - the music, the clothes, the causes and especially the faith (which is ripe for attack, being as it is, a thing sustained by a personal belief in an unseen power).

There's also the fact of Christianity's predominance within this tolerant culture. It's almost like it "has it coming" - unfair though that is to ordinary Christians going about their day. It's the biggest, safest target there is, and being a religion of course, it has only its own belief to defend itself with.

And finally, its own doctrine works against it in terms of being open to mockery. I mean, I saw an interview in the wake of the the "anti-Mohammed" cartoons in a European paper. A high-ranking Muslim cleric was very clear - mock Mohammed, and it won't be taken lightly. But the fundamental doctrine of Christianity is based on forgiveness, so as comedian Bill Hicks once said, when Christians object about their religion being mocked, the stock response is "So forgive me". It's a spiritual head-lock, which means moderate Christians have very little comeback, and intensely frustrated Christians go further and further towards the "smiting" end of the Old Testament faith, and nonbelievers are then able to categorise them as extremists who "can't take a joke". Catch-22.

Do I have a solution? Nope, 'fraid not. But hopefully this might give a bit of a background to why things are as they are.

Peace.

Answer 2

I think this has allot to do with centuries of Christianity persecuting those of other religions. The whole "Manifest Destiny" thing. Christianity's feeling that it is their God-given right to anything and everthing in their path, and those that resist or don't convert are persecuted and harmed.

There are many, many examples of this throughout the history of the world in the past 2,000 years. Most recently? Just ask an American Indian...

And Christianity can't even agree amongst itself. You have to belong to the "right" sect of Christianity. I've been discriminated against in the past because I was Greek Orthodox in a predominantly Mormon state, both in school and in the workforce. I also lost a job of over 10 years for now being Wiccan. Although it was not the "official" reason for termination (which was "We think you'll be happier elsewhere"), I offered a tidy little severance package for going away quietly and "not suing for discrimination or wrongful termination."

I think this is now a point of others "taking back" what belongs to them, their faith, their pride, their beliefs. They're tired of being oppressed and degraged by Fundie Christians for not being Christian, as if their way is wrong and only the Christian way is right.

News flash: Christianity has only been around for 0.03% of human existence. If it is THE ONLY way, than why didn't it come first? Or sooner? The Christian idea of god did not destroy all others prior to Christianity, and certainly hasn't destroyed all those today that are not Christian. In fact, only 33% of the world are Christians as of the year 2000. 66% of the world can't be wrong.

Many faiths, including Christianity, use the "we are the only true religion" idea to keep adherants, adherants. It keeps the from wandering to "false religions". Christianity can't accept that there are more than one path, or at least accept other's paths are right for them and if they need another path they'll seek it out.

For me, as a former Christian and now Wiccan, this time of year always frustrates me when I hear right-wing pundits like O'Reilly and Limbaugh going on about "the attack on Christmas", like Christmas is a Christian holiday. Christmas is a pre-Christian holiday of Winter Solitice and Yule that was assimilated by Christianity to lure more converts... kind of like "see, we're not that different than you, we even celebrate the same things."

The time of year, the date, the wreath, mistletoe, the tree, the "birth of Christ" (as opposed to the "rebirth of the earth"), even Santa Claus, are all Christian adaptations of Pagan symbols and traditions.

Hence, this is why the Puritans and today several Christian sects still will not celebrate Christmas: because it is too "pagan".

It always seems the ones doing the oppressing claim to be the oppressed.

Answer 3

I have a the same problem with Islam that I have with Christianity. I have problems with most religions.

I hesitate to answer questions like this, because "mocking" is clearly in the eye of the beholder. Some Christians say that mocking is anything said against Christianity. On the other end are Christians who say that only outright insults like, "All Christians are braindead," qualifies as mocking.

Therefore, in order to really answer your question well, I would need to know some examples of what you consider to be mocking.

Answer 4

Jesus told us while he was here that the world would hate Him and said it was to counted for us when the world attacks us for His namesake.
It is acceptable to to put down Christ because Christians are a majority whereas the others are a minority, and in this PC world you don't put down a minority or your labled discriminatory.
Also, if you say this against Mohamed or Allah prepare to have your lifee ended by those who don't practice tolerance. Tolerance which was preached by Jesus.
We are in this World, but not to be of it.
God Bless You

Answer 5

I think it comes from Christianity being the majority for so long and many people wanting to rebel from the past and what their parents have taught them. I think TV started it as a shock thing, to push the boundaries of what is acceptable (see South Park and even Family Guy). Most people in our country know roughly what the bible has to say, so their jokes could resonate and anger a larger audience. This has been a question i have heard many times but haven't heard a real good answer.

Answer 6

We're the majority, the background. We get taken for granted, and we can take our security and social acceptance for granted, so we can take a joke better than most other religions. People are jerks, so often the jokes get out of hand.
Also, I think we take God for granted. Do you correct a friend when he uses "Jesus Christ" as a curse? How many of us would?
Other religions feel threatened by our majority. They push back with whatever power they have, by being loud and getting the press on their side. The small dog barks the most.
Was that a lame answer? Did I answer to you "as a man"?

Answer 7

Well it is because you are guaranteed Your rights to freedom of speech...And If you don't agree with what someone says, You have the right to question them. And there are many people that mock religious question because they simply don't know how to respond to them any other way. That does not make you a bad or good guy. It just means that you just don't know. And being a religious man even I have to admit that sometime Some Christian can go overboard. also your beliefs will not change the fact of Gods existence. Be well and have a blessed life............................................................................

Answer 8

It's not cool to insult anyone's beliefs. but if your beliefs promote hatred, intolerance of lifestyles and religions that don't hurt anyone than you are a bigot. That's the definition of the word. I don't think we should validate anyone who promotes religious hate. Christians are responsible for a lot of this. I don't think all Christians are bad, but there are alot of problems within the Christian community, if you want to be respected you must cease to validate those people within the Christian community that promote prejudice.

Answer 9

Because the truth shall set you free
and we all appreciate freedom.
And further I don't mock Jesus just the
don't accept the lies and exploitation of the
mans actual life so how does one expose
a lie without being tactically accused or
mocking someone. If religions were not so satanic
in gods clothing so to speak I wouldn't have to deal
with this trifling stuff. What you don't understand will hurt u.
peace out

Answer 10

I am Jewish and I do not accept mockery of Christianity nor my religion, of course. I was at a party last night where my husband and I were the only Jews and the host told an anti Christian joke where everyone laughed an d I didn't. One lady did ask me why I didn't like the joke and I told her I do not find it funny to make a joke regarding Jesus and she gave me a dirty look and my husbad said I made an enemy. I told him that i didn't care she was not worth my friendship.