Is it intolerant to criticize religion?

Answer 1

No, it isn't. Excellent question.

There are certainly intolerant comments here, as well as downright childish rants, coming from Christians, Muslims, atheists, and probably others as well. But it is not the fact that those comments criticize religion or criticize a particular religion that makes them intolerant.

A large part of the problem here in this section comes from the fact that believers think that they deserve special treatment - that they can make false accusations about nonbelievers, and that nonbelievers cannot point out the truth about belief, and that none of us should distinguish between "true" and "false". Most of the "can't we just get along?" posts ask us to ignore that difference, and that's why they've had no effect.

Answer 2

The intention behind most criticism is to "put down" invalidate,
or generally squash the thing being criticised.
There is almost always more positive than negative in something or someone. This aspect doesn't ever get aknowledged by the criticiser. It's not really about "tolerance" since they are not looking for the positive in the first place.
Asking questions with the genuine intention of having a better understanding is not the same as criticism.
A person who is constantly criticising or accusing usually has
something similar going on in their own lives, some personal issue that they are trying to hide by pointing a finger at someone or something else. It's called misdirection.
( also great trick of deliberate sabatours and criminals...politicians do it ALL the time!!))

As Shakespear said " Me thinks thou doth protest too much "

Answer 3

Actually it isn't intolerant to criticize an element of religion, however it is when you don't seek to understand that particular practice/movement and the cultural influences within it. Then all such criticizing is a by product of ignorance. Tolerance is in understanding to co-exist and not negating the other prospective.

By all means criticize, but do so out of understanding/intelligent discernment. Can criticize and interact to invoke higher thought or different prospective without having to be disrespectful.

Answer 4

Only if the person is blatantly saying 'you're a fool to believe in that rubbish'. Each to their own. The scientifically minded or otherwise non-believing for whatever reason are usually more interested in facts that cause a person to believe. I think it is more intolerant for a person from one religion to criticize another religion than an atheist criticizing a person's chosen path with a good argument based on science.

Answer 5

not when it is a intolerant religion the christians hate the atheiasts in the usa thay are the lowest form of life thing might change if thay change some laws for the atheists like the jobs thay can not have that might help and let gay have gay marage its time the usa got out of the stone age

Answer 6

Intolerant religious characters will always claim that any criticism of their beliefs is intolerant...it's probably best to ignore their opinions and continue to criticise their beliefs.

Answer 7

no, everything is open to criticism. it only becomes intolerant when criticism of religion becomes simple generalizations, such as "if you're not an atheist then you're a moron" or "why does islam teach terrorism?"

Answer 8

IF you are firm in the faith that you believe, then you're more than welcome to stand by your faith. To not believe or not condone someone elses "religion" is not "intolerance". You needn't be tolerant. Tolerance is the next step to compromise. Be firm in what you believe, and you have the right to differ with others.

Answer 9

Is it intolerant to criticize foreign policy? No of course not and religion should be no different. There is nothing special about it.

Answer 10

No, it's not intolerant to ask legitimate questions and bring up unflattering truths.