Anti-religion?

Question

I recently became anti-religious (or am still in the process of becoming so). It does bother me a bit seeing that it's a step further than atheism was for me and I am not particularly fond of going to extremes.

However, I see that more evil came from religion than from no religion and the Big Three (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) are certainly cruel religions, judging by their holy books.

It doesn't worry me so much when people believe in their god(s), but when they follow an organised religion that claims to know the truth, and that (according to their books) is not too proud to approve of stonings, slavery etc.

I don't even mind the people; it's rather like I don't like hiphop, but I still like people listening to hiphop.

Anybody sharing these views? How do you go about it? Do actively go against it (by sharing your views with religious people, supporting Dawkins, whatever)? Can you really sit back and do nothing while thinking that religions are a serious threat?

Some interesting comments here.

First off: I am an atheist, but being anti-religious doesn't mean you have to be an atheist and vice versa. I happen to be both.

I never asked god(s) for anything in my life, so I never felt "let down". I am not bitter at all, though that is what some are suggesting. In fact, I am very happy with my lack of beliefs.

I never said I was intolerant of anybody. Where did some of you read that? I tried to explain that with the hiphop example: there are some things you may not like, even despise, but you won't hate the people who like what you detest - I like people, not people's religion. I have no interest what-so-ever to be intolerant of somebody because of their religion, but I happen to be convinced that religion itself causes more bad than good (like everything that claims to know the truth for everything). Does that make me intolerant? I don't have to like everything, I think.

Thanks to all the kind answers I received; I shall pick a Best Answer in due course.

One explanation of why I share my views "with the world" (e.g. Y!A R&S): I am 20, and although most of my friends have settled views on their (a-)theism, none of them have ever expressed any concern over religion, and those I asked during the last few weeks/months were rather surprised. So I ask in a tiny section of the web that is dedicated towards religion - I hope that is not considered a bad thing nowadays. I do hope I was polite about it, of course.

Answer 1

I'm with you. There is nothing wrong with holding an "extreme" view as long as you keep your wits and morality about you. You know, don't hurt people, don't be obscene, etc...

I am anti-religion for the same reason as you. Religion is a hateful, hurtful force in the world, and all anyone needs to do to prove it is read a history book. I don't care if this Christian is nice, or that Muslim is non-violent. It doesn't change the fact that they are associating with an organization that kills, tortures, and harasses people for fun. Oh, and that goes for ALL religions. Islam and Christianity just came to mind the easiest.

I don't care if people believe in god, or are spiritual. But, like you said, the danger is when such people become part of a group. People who hold theistic beliefs are pretty gullible on the whole, and so a charismatic leader has no trouble at all manipulating such people to hate and kill others. How do I know? Once again, read a history book.

On a broader scale, I am simply against ALL dogma. A good example of non-theistic dogma is Communist China or Russia. But I focus on religion because religion basically INVENTED dogma.

What do I do? I keep up-to-date with science so that I can keep others up-to-date. I debate rationally, even with people who seem hopeless. I whistle-blow when religious organizations do something immoral (so my whistle is blowing pretty much constantly). I even passed out a couple copies of "Letters to a Christian Nation" to religious friends who heard me talk about it, and one of the people I gave it to became an atheist.

I do everything I can to promote the understanding of logic and reasoning, which necessitates the abandonment of religion.

But I will never EVER resort to violence, fear-mongering, or harassment. I am not going to become one of them.

Answer 2

I am pretty much with you on what you wrote. I was a deeply religious person at one time, spending seven years of my life in study and heading for a pastoralship. Then, through some very difficult times I tossed it all aside and basically walk a path now formed by my own footsteps.

Nevertheless, even though I despise religion I respect it on some levels because I see how happy some people are within it, and the contentment it brings them. Yet, despite this I cannot feel anything but annoyed. Yet, on the other hand, I cannot pull myself away from one of humanity's greatest debates.

I suppose what it all comes down to is whether or not something has enough value to still provide interest. Some might say I still dabble in religion while being not at all religious. It is always best to know your enemy.

Answer 3

I am also anti-religious, but all religionists are not created equal. Some Christians are much more nanced thinkers than others. I am not anti-ChristianS, but I am anti-Christian. They would be alot more enlightened were they to realize that their religion is a form of intellectual slavery.

I don't publicly challenge people to their religion. I am surrounded by religious people every day. But if questioned I'll tell them point blank the truth about what I believe. I know more about Christianity than most Christians so I point out atrocities in their bible that they find amazing and were not even aware of. I tell them about the history of Christianity and how acts of terrorism from biblical patriarchs, missionaries, and inquisitioners made Islam terrorism look like child's play in comparison.

They initially think I'm crazy because they've never heard this point of view. They've been deeply brainwashed and they read the bible selectively and invent their own form of Christianity. But the facts are on my side always. They simply can't argue without resorting to faith. When you get them to resort to faith to make an argument, you've won. Then they are met with a choice- to either continue believing that faith is a useful counterargument, or to realize that faith is a childs argument. They cannot win, ultimately.

Keep fighting the good fight. Society is slowly choking religion out of the conversation but religionists are desperately trying to hang on and will continue kicking and screaming as they are dragged into the 21st century.

Answer 4

When it comes down to it, the true teachings of many religions are actually love and acceptance. It's usually the people involved who use religion as a very annoying weapon. I would define myself as spiritual, though I'm heading towards Wicca and hopefully will reside there. I was somewhat brainwashed by a bunch of evangelical Christians, and have long been aware of the Catholic Church's violent history and beliefs and stances used to suppress and control people. However, now being passed all of that (a long story), I see that the true teachings of Jesus and Wicca's core beliefs are not all that different. Jesus talked about love and acceptance, he was a true Christian, and those who follow his guidence are just as wonderful to be around as any sincere Wiccan, Buddist, etc. Those who claim to follow him, but get caught up in the pop culture of damnation and saving others, are very spiritually young and are operating off from fear, not love. Wicca's thing is essentially "an it harm none, do what ye will", which also comes from love and acceptance. My boyfriend is Catholic and I'm Wiccanish. We get along great and have very similar views on life. So, in short, stick with those who are willing to accept you for who you are, educate those who are curious, and let the rest fall by the wayside, they aren't listening anyways. Karma has a nice way of taking care of those who harm others, it's much better than anything you can do. The phrase "you are your own worst enemy" has a lot to do with that. Hope this provides some insight.

Answer 5

It is only during the past few years that I also lost my religion. I am Pagan now, but not being Christian doesn't mean I don't believe in God. In fact I am closer to God/dess through Nature than ever I was through religion. I am happy to share views with people of all or no religion but I find certain religious people are less than tolerant with me and my beliefs. I find organised religions to be cruel (as you say) intolerant of others and deeply dangerous. How many innocents have died in the name of a 'loving God'? I am so glad that I was able to wake up from the nightmare of religious dogma. I just wish others could too.

Answer 6

i am virulently anti-religion but have learned to temper my thoughts and statements to those people of 'faith' that i run in to on a daily basis. after all, it is not really their fault for believing what they believe. they are the victims of religious indoctrination. i DO fault them for not investigating that faith however, and instead following it blindly. so whenever the chance arises to have a serious debate, which is not very often i assure you, with a christian, jew, muslim, buddhist or whatever, i take it because i feel that any exposure to rational thought must be good for these people on some level even if it does not change the way they look at things.
supporting atheist messengers by donating to organizations or purchasing books is always a good idea...

Answer 7

Religion has good and bad sides. It is something that people really need and that is why it still exist and will always exist. I try hard not to be angry at religion although I was personally involved and had bad experience. It is difficult to be tolerant when you see the damage done by religion. But religion is like rain, it is something from life and if we are angry nothing will happen. To be angry is not the healthy way to respond.

Answer 8

It is crazy that the biggest wars(that have been going on for eons...)are about religion??it doesn't make sense! How does something that is Holy...cause so much destruction? I think too much of anything is not a good thing.And that includes religion.I believe in God and that there is a "higher" power,some people take it waaaay too far! Good question:)

Answer 9

I wish I could say I'm surprised at how much ugliness these types of threads attract, but it's human nature for people to act like hypocrites - Esp on forums where people enjoy the anonymity of the Internet.

I'm an Atheist, not for the sake of being "anti-Religion," but as a result of not believing in a higher power and not holding to any theistic views.

Your rational for being" anti-religion" is because of some perceived wrongs committed by a few religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

You're latching on to the label of Atheism as means to act intolerant. By acting intolerant toward the very religions you accuse of acting "evil," makes even more guilty of the said accusation (acting evil).

Religion is a permanent fixture of humanity, it is not going anywhere, no matter how much you or anyone else whines about it.

If the only way you can *define yourself* is by acting intolerant toward others because of their religion, you're just as artificial as any religious zealot who refuses to live by the very words he/she is preaching.

Answer 10

I'm anti-religion too and I am not an Atheist. I see nothing wrong with people beliving in a God/ess but I just feel that people should do so on their own accord and not be part of a certain flock. I feel people should be able to say "I belive in God" without having to say "I am Christian"

Spirituality is a nice thing, but religion is bad. It's a means to control a population, an excuse for war, sexism, racism, etc.