After watching part one of 'The Four Horsemen' yesterday an interesting point was raised about how deeply offended and angry some religious people get when you question their faith and how society seems to treat religion as somehow more important than other subjects.
For example, if I wrote a book directed towards how strange and pointless I though the whole world of football was, it would certainly get a reaction from football fans but I doubt very much if it would be met with the kind of vitriol, aggression, death threats and emotional outpouring that ensues when books like 'The God Delusion' are released.
The question is, why does religion have this special status where it is generally seen as a terrible taboo to mock, question or even challenge these beliefs?
And it's not just the faithful either, there are even examples of protecting these sensibilities by proxy. I am thinking of such things as organisation banning decorations and trees in their shops at Christmas because it might offend Muslims or Hindus etc. which of course it would not and in many cases does these groups no favours as it simply exaggerates societies perception of extreme sensitivity.
Hey, I wouldn't like it if people started bad mouthing my invisible friends...
It's political correctness in the extreme. Most belivers havn't a clue why they belive, how dare anyone question this blind belief! It's odd, in any other surcumstance, there would be a government campaign to commbat this religious ignorance.
It's political correctness in the extreme. Most belivers havn't a clue why they belive, how dare anyone question this blind belief! It's odd, in any other surcumstance, there would be a government campaign to commbat this religious ignorance.
I have to agree. To become sensitive when somebody questions your beliefs would be primarily because we know we haven't *really* looked closely at the reason we believe something, or more succinctly - that we're aware that our beliefs are floored.
That being said I don't think 'faith-heads' are the only ones to suffer from this syndrome, I've known Atheists and such who are just as bad with their reasons for not believing in God, as much as those who do believe in God! ie how could there be a God if bad things happen to people. I've always thought this an ultimately stupid question on the parts of non-believers, as God (if he did indeed exist) could have any number of reasons for wanting people to suffer. This much at least, I could believe. But that's the end of my hypothetical situation 
Yeah. Im with Dagda on this. The western world has become too politically correct. For example, at school when I was unhappy about something I'd say 'That's so gay.' I have absolutely nothing against alternative sexuality but I've been getting drilled for saying it. Dan does it perfect when he says 'There is no nice way to say ''Do you realise you have been deluded your entire life.''
I agree that it is a two way street, the ignorance. I have several freinds who think the bible is stupid, which is fine, there intitled to an opinion, but when I query them over the parts they fined hard to belive-biblical debate being a bit of a hobby of mine-they reply they dont know as theve never read it. They exept at face value what others are telling them. A fool move in my opinion as most have no backing in theology.
Most people wouldn't have problems with those who question and genuinely want to seek out truth and understanding. But when people are disingenuous it gets annoying fast. They don't propose questions because they want to understand, they question to mock.
The same can happen between different ethnic groups. IF you are of a certain ethnic group and someone outside of your ethnic group was questioning your culture all the time - NOT because they want to learn and understand - but only so they can mock you and paint you to be an inferior culture then you'd be very annoyed and offended.
The same can happen between different ethnic groups. IF you are of a certain ethnic group and someone outside of your ethnic group was questioning your culture all the time - NOT because they want to learn and understand - but only so they can mock you and paint you to be an inferior culture then you'd be very annoyed and offended.
I see where you're coming from Starbuck, but do you respect adults who believe in Santa Clause? I sincerely hope so.
The same can happen between different ethnic groups. IF you are of a certain ethnic group and someone outside of your ethnic group was questioning your culture all the time - NOT because they want to learn and understand - but only so they can mock you and paint you to be an inferior culture then you'd be very annoyed and offended.
I see where you're coming from Starbuck, but do you respect adults who believe in Santa Clause? I sincerely hope so.
I'd respect them enough to try and understand why they believe so then leave it at that.
It doesn't mean that I have to agree with them or anything.
Did any of you know that the rapture was suppost to take place on the 11th of august?
It was a false claim since nothing happend, This false event only strenghtend my dis-belief.
Maybe they have a reason to be sensitive? Their claims never come true.