Have you been a victim of religious intolerance?

Question

If so, what happened?

Answer 1

all the time. i get rude stares, had my lawn trashed, my car vandalized at 2 different times, and of course been talked about rudely.

Answer 2

Just to name one instance: Last week in church, a Christian from another denomination came into our chapel (which they are very welcome to do). After the first speaker finished speaking, he stood up and started yelling that only the Old Testament and New Testaments are the Word of God, and that the Book of Mormon is a lie.

I don't know if that counts as being a "victim" but it was a bit of a shock at the time.

After that small bit of opposition, our worship meeting continued as per normal... but you should have heard the reverberation and spirit that went into the next hymn... "God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand" It was amazing.

We get so much spirituality out of our meetings. I wonder what that poor young man has been getting out of his?

I think the perpetrators of religious intolerance are the real victims.

Answer 3

I think everyone has been a victim of religious intolerance at least once in their lives...

I am a pagan and will often wear my pentacle (why shouldn't I be allowed to? Christians wear their crosses, Jewish people wear their Stars of David, etc.) When I do, I get a lot of criticism from my family. My mother tells me I shouldn't "advertise" because I obviously want trouble (but has no problem wearing her cross) and my uncles sneer, point at it and say, "I didn't know you were Jewish!" (To which I reply, "Learn to count, jacka**. 5 points in a circle. Star of David has 6 points, no circle.")

I can't give voice to my differing opinions on most mainstream religions (mainly Christianity, because that's the religion that most people in the US adhere to), no matter how politely it's worded, without being accused of gross intolerance and contempt. I feel like they're saying I should either kowtow to their faith or keep quiet. (Why don't they do the same for mine?) Even if I mention nothing about a certain religion at all and instead speak of religion in general, they will infer that I'm talking about them and become madder than the proverbial wet hen.

Oh, but they can make fun of me quite openly. They don't even try to be polite. The immature attempts at humor are the easiest to handle. The death threats are another thing entirely. My family doesn't give me those, but neither do they defend me.

The worst part of any discrimination I get is mistakenly being referred to as "atheist." I've got no problem with atheists, in fact, some of the kindest and most caring people I know are atheists. But I'm not one of them. Calling me an atheist is like calling a Christian a Hindu. It's insulting to both parties. (Then again, I think it's meant as an insult, so never mind.)

Answer 4

I am no victim ... ever.

..........................................
OK, after looking at the other answers, I guess I should explain. Being a victim is a state of mind. It means being broken inside. So I don't allow myself that.

But have I encountered religious intolerance ... why sure, but when did people ever agree on anything? I dont try to stuff my ideas down their throat and don't let them do the same to me. If it's just words, who cares.

PS. People have been prisoned, tortured and killed for their beliefs and still, they did not see themselves as victims. Remember one J.Christ?

Answer 5

Many times especially on yahoo answer. By Fanatical so called Christians and Muslims. They harass and say how I will go to eternal hell if I don't accept their way. I just wrote an article on this if you are interested I can send you one if you write. I have a column on yourhub.com called The Vedic Viewpoint and Other spiritual Perspectives.
Also another situation is when we have Our Rathyatra cart festival in LA California for over 30 years. Every year the Christians come to blasphemy our devotional program. They harass us in a big group dressing as cows and say how being a vegetarian is bogus. They say we are all going to hell etc. They terrorize the devotees of Krishna terribly. (at least these days)

Answer 6

In a certain way, I have experienced religious intolerance
online as well as in daily-life. Although I am not a religious
person as I only claim to be spiritual, often people do mistake
me as a member of a given religious order merely base on
the fact of my stance of toleration towards that religious faith.

If shall I explain Islam, some people will consider me as a
muslimah, and the same is also valid for any religion I
attempt to discuss. When there are religious zealots, I am
also targeted by them shall my stand "appears" to be of
another religion.

People only need to realise that, "christeos" (the divine
essence) and the "satanas" (essence of evil) are both
within ourselves; thus, it depends upon the individual to
select which "essence" to manifest:

One can choose to manifest the "christeos" like Jesus of
Nazareth with radiant tolerance and compassion, or select
the other dark-side to manifest where the "daemonis"
(evil-eye) is one of those manifestations. The same is
valid for religious tolerance, all depends upon how the
individual choose to manifest him or herself to those around.

Pax et Amore Christi vobiscum,
Lux Mithrai ex Tenebras Crucis.

Answer 7

At one time, yes. It happened quite a few years ago, where my faith was attacked by someone of another faith. I lived in a small town, where I was considered among the more prominent residents because of the company I worked for and the position I held within the company. I believe the church this person belonged to believe it would have been quite a coup to recruit me ino their ranks. However, when this failed, a subtle smear campaign started where snide remarks, about "are you really a Christian", and you only get to heaven of you follow the "right way". The final straw that broke the camel's back was when a member of the clergy belonging to my faith was observed by this individual who said" there is one person surely going to hell"
There was a confrontation. I asked this person if he was absolutely sure of his statement. He said yes, and I told him that if he really knew the Bible, only God has the authority to condemn. The Great Flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was done by God, not man. Was he putting himself on the same level as the Creator. That is blasphemy. Was he himself guaranteed a spot in heaven? When he replied yes, I told him that his own words just lost him his guarantee, because he had just committed the sin of pride, one of the things the Bible preaches against. I told him to read the parable about the Pharisee and the Republican in the temple. I also produced one of the publications that his church regularly distributes, and pointed out all the half-quotes from the Bible, deliberate misinterpretation, and inflammatory rhetoric.
This was the last time I had to deal with him. However, he paid for his arrogance, and pride. Three years later he was on his way to jail, One of his misdeeds from years before, prior to him becoming "born again" caught up to him.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and it was by my own Congregation. People need to stop thinking that they are above the rest as I can see here there is definitely a problem .My family gets looked down on because my children are their own person they wear their hair long , they listen to rock music , they have different color hair or they don't dress like everyone else. They believe in Christ so I don't see what the problem is .At least I know that when trouble or peer pressure come to play that my children will be able to stand up on their own. Do not judge lest ye be judged.

Answer 9

When I was 14, my sister became a born again Christian in a local church. During a church session, the pastor prayed and he told my sister that she was demon possessed or something to that degree, they said her house needed spiritual cleansing.

Mind you, my parents and Gramps are Buddhists... They came in like a tornado going thru my sister's stuff throwing away and burning whatever is deemed to be "satanic". They were smart enough though to touch NONE of my parents property, but they were not so kindly or respectful with me. I am a huge fan of certain bands, so i collected a lot of cool posters and some bands have "satanic" symbols on their posters. They also grabbed those FROM MY ROOM ... and burnt them for being "spiritually tainted", they also burnt a very sentimentally precious deck of Tarot cards a friend bought from an Italian Antique shop as a gift for me and a Chest Box set an Aunt bought for me from Japan- whose figurines were carved into images of Japanese gods and godesses!!

When I got home and found, I flew into a rage of course but it was too late... they were already gone and my sister was totally nonchalant about it. I wasnt a victim because I was in a "questionable" religion, I was a victim because SOMEONE else was a religious fanatic and zealot.... disrespectful of others, judgemental and holier than thou

Answer 10

Yes, I have found religious poeple to be very intollerant, and either of each other, or of science and reality..

It is an imaginary pedistal that they all think from, and in actual fact are just severely ingnorant of the truth and reality, either by choice, unfortunate upbringings ar just plain thick..!

This point should at least be consisdered, because it's true, although I know such a fact doesn't hold water with most religious types..

Answer 11

Yes. Being gay, I am always being told (usually with anger) that I am going to hell. What do these people see? A cobra, poised to strike? It happens all of the time. The nicest people will suddenly become bitter and act like the devil has entered the room, when they find out (or even remotely suspect) that somebody is gay. They feel it is their duty to act holy and to speak "with authority", usually going on with all sorts of drivel from Leviticus or Romans, ready to throw any of us into the pit of fire. I've even had them threaten to organize an exorcism to release the "internal demons". What nonsense!

And doing it, all while ignoring other more important things -- often, the people who have felt to do this are the ones who are covering up their own closet. I know of several Baptists and Pentecostals (including ministers) who preached against gays (with great passion), and they were later exposed for being gay -- despite their so-called holy annointing!