Insulting a christian is okay because it's a choice???

Question

How does that even make a bit of sense? Sure, being a Jew or black or a woman isn't a choice and it is seen as "harsh" to demean them...but just because I believe in something does not give someone of a different belief the right to insult me personally does it?

Just because I made a choice to believe that my religion is true does not give ANYONE the right to insult me. How does "it's your choice to be Christian" even come close to justifying insulting a Christian?

That's like saying....you're a woman? Well you can have a sex change....you can choose your race.

Or oh...you're black? well you can get bleached and relax your hair...you don't have to be black.

It's not the same in those terms because you have to change yourself. But it is almost the exact same thing when insulting a black for being black and insulting a Christian for being a Christian.

It's a double standard and it is unacceptable.

Agree?

Sorry about the woman, I meant to say you can change your sex, not your race...

Eldritch, no disagreeing with my beliefs is not an insult...because you have every right to have your own opinions and that is what makes our society great...

And insult, to me personally, is using words to bring other people down. You can disagree with Christians all you want...but it's not right for you to call them stupid or pathetic because they believe in a God...

Answer 1

If you consider an honest opinion an insult, then, yes, it's okay.

At least it is here, in this section.

Religion, at the micro level (individual adherents and local churches), is normally just fine; even good. But at the macro level (institutions) they've ALWAYS been commandeered by the powerful to wield against the masses as a means of control or even subjugation (in the case of women).

If you examine history -- or even CNN news -- you'll see how religion is abused by rulers and other power-hungry leaders. This leads many of us to feel a responsibility to speak up and try to show you need reason if you want people to be reasonable.

The worst religious problem is fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is taking scripture literally. Religious extremists and whackos are invariably fundamentalists. When scripture provides rhetoric supporting violence, the fundamentalists can claim spiritual justification for violence. Terrorism, Jihad, war . . . are legitimized in their warped minds. This can NOT stand. Something must be done to remove violence from religion.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rational-Debate

Answer 2

I find it very interesting that many people answered with insults (i.e., name calling).

I do have to agree with the others that a religion is, indeed, something you choose and equating it with something that cannot be chosen is a false argument. That said, I also have to agree with you that it's still wrong to insult people, whatever the reasoning is. Rationalizing it by saying things like "well, it's true", or "I'm just doing it cause you chose to be that way" is downright childish. Arguing that "it's my right" is also false - your right to swing your fist stops at the end of my nose. The same is true with words - your right to spout off ends where my right to live without open attack begins.

BTW, I say this to Christians and non-Christians alike. Some Christians gave the rest of us a bad name because they're always spouting off, insulting people, and shoving their views in other people's faces. Even if the non-Christians don't believe in "love your enemies", most will agree that retaliating with the same is just silly. It's stooping to the other person's level. It's like two children fighting on the playground - "I know you are, but what am I?" or "I'm rubber and you're glue!"

What's the best way to handle an insulting question? Say a short prayer for that person, then ignore it. What's the best way to handle an insulting answer? The same. Acknowledging it or, worse yet, retaliating only compounds the problem. Ranting about it is also against the Y!A community guidelines.

Answer 3

And insult, to me personally, is using words to bring other people down. You can disagree with Christians all you want...but it's not right for you to call them stupid or pathetic because they believe in a God...

You say these words... have you not insulted

Answer 4

No. I do not agree. I do think that you are an idiot, but that has nothing to do with you being a Christian. You just don't get the experience of others. I am a woman, and I could have a sex change (though it would cost more than converting to another religion, and then I'd be a transsexual and thus subject to even more discrimination and ridicule), but I have chosen to invest energy into knowing myself and ignoring the voices of those who think I'm crazy and I like to shop for shoes. It doesn't bother me if you say it, because I'm delighted with my femininity. I believe that it is a good thing about me, and I am proud of it, even if you don't like it. I tell you this, because you are wasting your opportunity to feel the same way about your religion by worrying about what other people think of it. It's not the same. Christians don't get paid less for comparable work (unless they happen to be female). They don't get searched more often during traffic stops (unless they happen to be black), and nobody assumes they are "quota hires" when they get jobs. You're going to be fine little boy...the world is a mean, hungry place, but it doesn't really appear to have a taste for white American male Christians.

Answer 5

I'm of a different mind on insulting Christians. I live a life that is perhaps different from the life of most of you chaps; it is what I do, how the dice was tossed. Gosh knows, all around me there's a helluva lot of 'insulting' going on. I'm against it. I see no reason, as an atheist, to 'insult' the religious, the members of any religion or cult, or women, or people of color, or foreigners, or gays and lesbians, or even film critics. It's as easy, mayby earlier, to be civilized, to disagree, sure, but do not be a jerk about it. If someone here 'insults' me...and it happens...I try my level best to shrug and go on. Life is short.

Answer 6

Why would I wish to change myself just because I've been insulted? It is time people became a little more secure in themselves and stopped taking offense at every little thing. Political correctness taken to the level of legislated speech restrictions has gone too far. I should be able to insult anyone I wish, as long as I am prepared to accept the consequences. If I insult your religion, the Christian thing to do would be to pity me for my lack of insight and discernment and pray that I see the light someday. Taking offense is not the proper Christian response to insult.

Answer 7

Wow that's a lot of ignorance right there...

I don't see people going around insulting Christians on a routine basis.

Sure you might get called a Bible-beater if you are constantly shoving your religious beliefs down people's throats. But I don't think that compares in any way to the "N" word or being called a "ho".

I've heard Muslims called all kinds of rude names and they are terribly stereotyped due to the unfortunate actions of a few fanatics. But they don't whine on Yahoo Answers about how persecuted they are.

Get over your persecution complex. You will not be satisfied until your religion becomes law, will you?

Answer 8

Isn't one of the teachings of 'Jesus' to 'turn the other cheek'? I guess you are saying that Christians are NOT morally superior to others then? You should notify the Christian Propaganda concerning that one.

One should also note that a person is not BORN a Christian, where one is born a woman or black---as per YOUR OWN examples. A person chooses to become a christian.

Habakuk 2:16 the cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory.

Sure a woman can have a sex change, but their DNA is still female. A black person can undergo bleaching of the skin, plastic surgery, but aren't they still culturally black.

Answer 9

I am a Christian too. The reason that we have gotten such a bad reputation is because many Christians not only try to force their beliefs on everyone else, but also oppress and discriminate against people who dont fit their narrow interpretentions of Christianity.

Overall disagreeing with someones beliefs its perfectly fine. But you cannot blame them for the way they are born.

Answer 10

I don't insult Christianity as a religion, nor the people who ascribe to it. I do find it offensive though when people use their religion as an excuse to judge other people, their lifestyle, and their beliefs. I'm not just talking about Christianity either, I see it in others.