why do people think they have a right to express an opinion about other religions when they know nothing abou?

Question

they sit in judgment and are often rude about peoples believs

Answer 1

Nah. You just assume they don't because they don't interpret it the same way you do.

Many atheists on this site are former Christians, Muslims, etc. just as many Christians claim to be former atheists.

Answer 2

I assume you're talking about members of one religion commenting on another, and atheists commenting at all... Well, I'm an atheist and I comment on subjects relating to the philosophy of religion (the why be religions? questions), atheism, christianity (I've read the bible) and the science Vs pseudo-science questions. I feel I'm perfectly entitled to express my opinions on these topics and I generally have a better knowledge than the average response from the religious respondents.

That's why I feel I have the right to comment on the questions I answer. And as this is an online Q&A site, nobody here knows who I am or what knowledge I have. So how can you sit in judgement about the knowledge of people on this site? I do accept that there are a lot of answers that are far from helpful or informed. But often these come from members of these religions (and to maintain balance from atheists talking about atheism as well. After all being stupid is hardly confined to the religious communities!)

As to sitting in judgement and being rude about beliefs. That's got to be expected in a religious discussion area. About half of the answers from members of a religion being asked about are rude and judgemental about everyone else. It goes both ways.

Of course, to me, someone saying all religions are crazy is not insulting, while to you it might be very rude. But to me, being told someone will pray for me and that I'm going to hell is rude.

Also when the question relates to the more controversial topics, views get more heated. In the last couple of days this has mainly been the Catholics Vs homosexuality and I'd happily be the first to jump into such a discussion to point out the homophobia and faults of the Church. To me that is no different than saying an asian couple couldn't adopt. Both are completely unacceptable cases of discrimination.

Answer 3

I believe to understand your own religion you must understand the others as well. I am personally a Christian but I do not define myself on that alone of stuff bibles down peoples throat. I have also taken a lot of college courses in religion to give me a better understanding of why other people believe the way they do. Another problem that I see and it comes from being educated is the religions that argue the most are the most closely related.

A lot of Christians think that Allah is a Muslim God when in fact, it the name for God. Also, Jews and Muslims don't hate Jesus. They have great respect for him as a prophet but not the messiah. I don't understand why people are so closed minded and don't have any respect for other peoples belief. What you believe is your choice and I don't feel any religious calling to Christianize the barbarians...


Just a litte sarcasm...

Answer 4

You are correct; people should not express opinions when they do not have enough information to form a proper understanding of any given subject. However, I feel some opinions are expressed in frustration at the hypocrisy of main stream religions, for instance the Catholic Church is set against adoption of children by gay couples yet they have consistently failed to take appropriate action in protecting children from paedophile priests and have even gone to great lengths to protect them. The Muslim community seems prepared to demonstrate at the drop of a hat when anything is said against the Prophet Mohammed, yet when the Clergy in England suggest that Christ may have been a homosexual and that Mother Mary may not have actually had a virgin birth not a murmur is heard from them. (One must know that The Prophet Mohammed himself revered both Lord Jesus and Mother Mary and likened his own daughter Fatima as her second).

It is also frustrating to people when they see others following a faith blindly. Faith should be born of experience. For example, a young mother would always cook her Sunday joint by making a cut in it and folding it up and her husband asked her why she did this. She said this is the way my Mother used to cook. So she phoned her mother and asked why they made a cut in the joint and her mother replied “Why honey, we could only afford a small cooker and that was the only way the joint would fit in”. This is also what people see when they look at religions, a flock of people following a vicar, priest, Brahmin, Rabbi, Mullah, etc., just blindly adopting rituals in the belief it will bring them closer to god.

Personally, I have studied the sacred texts of most religions and I would recommend people read Muhammad, his life based on the earliest sources by Martin Lings ISBN 0 04 2970423. This clearly details unbroken links between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. England’s greatest poet and seer William Blake has also said “All religions are one”.

All conflicts are caused by fanatics wanting to take charge of a religion and if everyone took responsibility for their own spiritual development there would be more harmony in the world as the power hungry fanatics would be excluded. The media act as both gamekeeper and poacher but their only interest is in making money. Instead of making impartial truthful accounts they either fan the flames of bigotry and hatred or omit uplifting and meaningful spiritual quests as there is no financial gain.

For the deepest understanding of the world today one must have a universal approach that includes all people’s beliefs and religions. I would recommend trying http://www.sahajayoga.org/ and researching this subject as all religions are covered.

Kind regards

Sean

Answer 5

Opinions are fine - rudeness is not.

It's always bothered me when people say "every one in this religion believes this" and then everyone that's actually in that religion all responds with "no we don't" and the questioner replies or picks a best answer along the lines of "yes you do" -----um, like the questioner would know better than the members what they do or don't believe - so annoying.

Answer 6

i feel certain that most people have some knowledge before expressing an opinion on something be it religion or anything else. i think people get upset about the islamic faith because there seem to be so many bad things about, like sharia law, arranged marriages, the way women are treated, the terrorism that has islamic links. but the main reason is because we are a Christian country and muslims seem to be forcing their opinions upon us why should we have to put up with this?

Answer 7

Well then, why do people go around bad mouthing OTHER COUNTRIES when they no nothing about it. How many French people that BAD MOUTH us have ever vacationed here! How many Palestinians who bad mouth us have ever seen Disney World.

And, of course, who are WE to Bad Mouth Cuba and the former USSR. Most of us never been to them places.

The Greeks don't care much for American either, look they shoot stuff at our Embassy, but of course it would be unfair JUDGEMENTALISM to say something about that, wouldn't it!

When was the last time an American shot a rocket at someone's Embassy in this country!

Answer 8

Sometimes it is hard to objectively evaluate a belief system when you are part of that system, so I have no problem with people who are not of my (or someone else's) belief stating their opinion and observations. However, there is no excuse for being rude in the process. That accomplishes nothing except to stop any meaningful discussion of the issues.

Answer 9

This atheist is always trying to be courteous when expressing an opinion about others' religions hoping the asker is expressing his or her opinion the same way.

Answer 10

This goes across the board. It's America! We've fought wars to protect our freedoms and if we start to censor free speech we have lost some valuable ground. The right to free expression was paid for in blood.

Answer 11

Everybody has a right to an opinion, I'm told. No on ever suggests the corresponding responsiblity, that the opinion be informed and based on reason.

Most opinions are just sort of fizzing prejudices based on fear and ignorance.