If someone insulted your religion, would you dislike them, and would you act on that?

Question

It's just that I'm beginning to see very strong patterns.

Just remember that we do not always INTEND to insult others, but still manage it somehow sometimes.

And ummm... by 'religion', I mean religious stance, so Atheists you are included in this.

Answer 1

No, for then I would be doing what they are doing -- acting out of ignorance and intolerance. That is not right wisdom or right action. It is not a display of unconditional love, which is the root of compassionate loving-kindness.

Answer 2

I have not invented my own religion and I am not enslaved to a religious belief system either. Though brought up CofE I would describe myself nowadays more as a humanitarian. I believe that the major monotheistic religions preach love and tolerance of your fellow travellers through life's sometimes difficult journey. Certainly as a humanitarian I believe that is the way one should behave. So though I might initially be somewhat annoyed and perhaps consider the insult personal I would not be too offended. I am most likely to put it down to ignorance and might try to educate them so that they don't insult anyone else unintentionally. For those that deliberately insult you (and mostly you can tell immediately) then all one can do is pity them and walk away, for no amount of pleading or education will change an evil mind.

Answer 3

As an atheist using answers you get used to being insulted. Do I get offended by the insults? No. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and as long as it doesn't endanger me or my family then I can accept it. Unfortunately most religious types find it hard to accept me, which like the proverbial red flag to a bull does lead me to ask some, how shall I put it, iffy questions.
I do wish they would remember that I find it equally incomprehensible that there is an all powerful supernatural being as they find that I believe we are simply a chance clumping of atoms and so, in the grand scheme of things, no more and no less important than a jellyfish floating aimless across the ocean...... it's just we got lucky (?) and got a brain ........and opposable thumbs.
Oh dear, there I go again. Sorry everyone. Well, those who believe anyway. :o)

Answer 4

No and no. Intentional insults should be ignored (not answered) - I just learned that. Baiting tends to draw us in - but really shouldn't. By acting on - do you mean would I trade insults? I have made some sarcastic comments, but have resolved to use the ignoring tactic from here on.

I really don't think trading barbs with people who are simply baiting and insulting for the fun of it is a wise use of my time and it's certainly not encouraging for other Christians to see me acting that way.

Accidental - (read unknowing or ignorant) insults - I try to correct incorrect impressions, but still try to refrain from using the argumentative voice - it just angers others and usually doesn't get the point across with any clarity.

Thanks for the good question - God bless.

Answer 5

I'm non-denominational so the only way they could insult me would be to insult the Father.

Yes, I would dislike them. However, I would still love them. Dislike and love are two different things. You can have a relative that you don't like very much but you still love them.

Would I act on it? Only if I don't catch myself first. Why? Two reasons, I stand up for what I believe in. I believe very strongly in Father (God). And when I hear someone put Him down, I get very angry. And the second reason, I'm still a young Christian in the faith. Meaning I have much to learn. I need to learn that when someone is throwing stones at Father, it's the devil that's baiting me.

That butt munch will do whatever he can to make us look bad. You see, we've already won the battle. When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, we won. Satan has been trying to get many of us to stumble ever since.

Answer 6

I view insults as an opinion. Their insults hardly mean that what they say is true. I don't normally dislike people based on opinions unless they act on those opinions, attacking people needlessly based only on their religious views. When it comes to strangers, especially online, I don't really care about their insults because first I have to care what they think before the insult can affect me like that. Though I'm curious as to what people think about religion in general, I don't pay much attention to the insults (even though it makes me wonder - why go through that much trouble insulting people online? Why not get out in the real world and do it? You certainly don't see that on the scale we see here. *wink*)

You can't please all of the people all of the time, no matter how hard you try to not be insulting. It's going to happen. And some are so easily offended that it doesn't really matter what a person says, they will feel insulted.

If the person is willing to listen, I will try to be reasonable and discuss my view as well as listen to theirs. If they aren't willing, I don't worry about it. It's not worth wasting time on them if they don't listen, in my opinion.

Answer 7

Somebody has insulted my understandings, beliefs and the churches I go to, if it's not hers. Not just insult, devilishly so. She is my closest friend, and has been for a long time. But I just see that she gets what she needs and shut my mouth for the rest. I know she is very opinionated. She stays away when she has her moments, then she comes back for my advice later. She has changed for the better since I knew her, more than anyone I know. The difference from night and day. God bless her soul.

Answer 8

I would not dislike anyone that insulted my religion (Wiccan). I would only hope that at some point this person would learn to respect all religious point of views, even if they differ from their own.

I do not agree with a lot of religions, but I am not going to condemn them either.

I am happy with the way I live my life and with my beliefs and I hope that others can feel the same way.

The sooner we all learn to accept each others differences the sooner we will have World Peace.

Answer 9

If someone insulted being an agnostic, I would be extremely surprised, since it is fairly mainstream. If someone insulted paganism, I would be insulted and angry, but not enormously surprised. Acting on it would be to give the insulter some information on paganism that they might now know, and to ask for respect in return for me showing their path respect.

If someone insulted Witchcraft, I would be somewhat more resigned to a reaction of the person not taking me seriously. If the person took me seriously AND insulted it, I would be the most likely to get mad as hell, but in terms of acting on it, I would try to show restraint and to educate the sonomabitch as eloquently as possible without ripping into him or her, since Witchcraft is the least accepted of the three and needs my support and care to grow into the mainstream of acceptability. I would try to show nonchalance, with a very very slight modicum of pity for this person who is clearly uneducated in the ways of true Witchcraft.

That's what I would probably do

Answer 10

I don't mind how much they insult us atheists but I do resent the absolute and blatant lies xians tell about us; many even assume they know how we think and even why we think it.

Because xians aren't able to understand there is no evidence for invisible sky critters and because they choose to believe in Bronze Age myths and superstitions of ancient civilisations because they believe they'll go to hell if they don't, they fear and distrust we free thinkers who don't have the same fears.
They even think we must be Satan worshipers completely forgetting we do not believe in the existence of invisible monsters - god-like or other wise.

They can't understand how we can live without the millstone of religion on our backs; they resent us our freedom.

The fundies among them are quite convinced that only their idea of the truth is The Truth; they believe in a literal bible but pick and choose which parts to make operational – not many of them these days stone their children to death if they show any disrespect as they are told to do in Leviticus and I’m sure most of them wear clothes with blended threads from Cotton and Polyester which is another stoning offence – and I’m sure may eat Lobster, Shrimp, Prawns and Oysters despite Leviticus saying not to.

Answer 11

I am commited to being in defense of the Gospel,however I would not dislike one who has not been given the same light that I now enjoy and in ignorance,insulted what I believe to be holy....I was once in darkness as well and remember where I came from..

The will of God is that I love unconditionally,those who are opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I knew a man in the Lord,who endured 14 years of the most horrible tortures that you can imagine,for his belief in God and for simply sharing the Gospel with others..Yet loved his torturers and blessed them,even during long sessions of torture..He would not deny his faith in God,though it would have meant immediate release from prison..Many came to know God,through this man while incarcerated with him..

...and all I have to do is defend and share the Gospel,without bad mouthing others and loving them? Sounds pretty easy to me. This does not mean that others will never be offended,but it does mean that the offense should not be observed as a holier than thou or mean spirited presentation,but rather the offense is the Word of God,itself..

I have never sent anyone an
e-mail or message that would dishonor God...If you ever receive one from me that is questionable...please post it on the R&S forum,for all to see.