General Discussion

Hekate

(100,136 posts)

377. Just saw your Edit. I agree with that, too.

Sat Jan 17, 2015, 05:51 AM

Jan 2015

I know my previous reply and this one are being buried in the landfill, as it were, but just wanted to say that personally I was raised to believe not in a specific religion but to "look for the Golden Rule at the center of every great religion." That was the message from my agnostic (probably atheist), thoroughly rational mother, who talked to us about the Social Contract while we were still in grade school.

It's worked for me. Same as you, I respect an individual's right to believe as they wish; what I expect out of them is ethical behavior and respect in return.

Boko Haram is not Islam; it is a cult of murder. The Westboro Baptist Church worships a god of hate; they're no more Christian than Boko Haram is Islam. Other examples abound.

I used to be a monotheist, and the habit of thought remains even though I have been ostensibly a polytheist for the past 30 years. However, one of the great benefits to me of embracing a polytheistic worldview was that it freed me from the belief that every group that claims to believe in "God" is talking about the same god. I was able to finally say: "I don't believe in your god," or more accurately, "Your god may indeed exist, but he is a hateful, murderous god, and has nothing to do with Jesus, Mohammad, Adonai, or the Great Goddess."

That doesn't work for everyone, but it relieved me from a childish fear of somehow blaspheming against the One and Only God. Re-reading the Bible as an adult made me notice that the Old Testament is filled with a diverse array of Middle Eastern gods and goddesses whose existence is not 100% disputed. What the Old Testament God wants his Chosen People to understand is that they are to worship only himself and no others. Bad things will happen to them if they do. Somehow by the time the New Testament made its way into literature, their god became the one and only God in existence. But I digress...

Be well, Nance.

Hekate

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Against my better judgment ... [View all] NanceGreggs Jan 2015 OP

I agree 100%. Suich Jan 2015 #1

So you're equating faith to Down's syndrome while decrying the mocking geek tragedy Jan 2015 #30

I'm equating ridiculing to bullying. Suich Jan 2015 #35

That you are not recognizing the difference between religious faith geek tragedy Jan 2015 #41

Still, that would make for some cartoon. bvf Jan 2015 #67

Religious ridicule is NOT socially acceptable, except, perhaps, on Charlie Hebdo whathehell Jan 2015 #271

Eh, the money in my pocket mocks my philosophy of life Fumesucker Jan 2015 #276

Yeah..sure..whatever..okay whathehell Jan 2015 #279

I'm sure Christians would all be comfortable with money that said "There is no God".. Fumesucker Jan 2015 #287

I'm sure someone like you would think that. whathehell Jan 2015 #290

Someone like me? Fumesucker Jan 2015 #341

How so? The two examples you gave are things people have no choice in.. madinmaryland Jan 2015 #289

Nothing could be furrther from the truth, ridicule religion, ridicule governments, ridicule NoJusticeNoPeace Jan 2015 #301

Comparison isn't equating. treestar Jan 2015 #138

But we here ridicule people's choice of political philosophy everyday. DeadLetterOffice Jan 2015 #221

Eat my reason BeyondGeography Jan 2015 #2

Are you suggesting that bvf Jan 2015 #123

Yup, you're wrong about that BeyondGeography Jan 2015 #135

Oh, good bvf Jan 2015 #153

Before we credit the faithful with championing civil rights, which undoubtedly happened... Orsino Jan 2015 #156

+1 F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #174

And what was the source of that courage and empathy? BeyondGeography Jan 2015 #185

Or faith was a means of expressing it. Orsino Jan 2015 #388

This might seem like a strange question, but what about Scientology? zappaman Jan 2015 #3

This was my exact thought when I read this. KauaiK Jan 2015 #13

They're all cults. HERVEPA Jan 2015 #90

Exactly amuse bouche Jan 2015 #126

I think there is a difference treestar Jan 2015 #141

The only difference bewteen a cult and a religion is the size of the congregation. cleanhippie Jan 2015 #144

Ding ding ding! n/t. bvf Jan 2015 #164

and if you check the definitions of marym625 Jan 2015 #314

ANYTHING Dorian Gray Jan 2015 #99

Carl Sagan was an excellent atheist cpwm17 Jan 2015 #115

"Don't be an ass" Dorian Gray Jan 2015 #274

I need to be reminded to sound like you did duhneece Jan 2015 #398

Well, while you are at it, why not include the LDS (Mormons). madinmaryland Jan 2015 #291

Seems as if those same arguments about theology could also apply to ideology, no? Major Nikon Jan 2015 #4

The tragedy is DonCoquixote Jan 2015 #5

Thank you for posting Nance. sheshe2 Jan 2015 #6

Illogical captain HERVEPA Jan 2015 #91

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Jan 2015 #7

When they get out of my bedroom, body, government, school BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #8

Who are "they"? NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #10

Zealots BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #12

Funny, cause that sounded a lot like what American foreign policy and cultural imperialism seeks BainsBane Jan 2015 #76

No, not remotely what I said BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #77

Well said Brother Ivan HERVEPA Jan 2015 #93

Hear, hear! smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #293

+1 treestar Jan 2015 #147

I think we are ultra-Christian. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #176

don't agree - they are a minority now treestar Jan 2015 #393

Is there so big a difference? Desert805 Jan 2015 #14

yup Skittles Jan 2015 #23

^^^^^^^That right there^^^^^^^^^^ BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #78

+1, as long as religion isn't used to justify laws that affect others, fine peacebird Jan 2015 #113

Yes and that is why I don't buy that the faithful are persecuted BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #191

Agree! Wgles Jan 2015 #316

Agree BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #320

Religions don't have to make laws to affect others bloom Jan 2015 #334

yet we are told we have to respect this crap Skittles Jan 2015 #342

This. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #178

Thank you. You nailed it. GoneOffShore Jan 2015 #338

The catholic church involves itself a great deal in all those categories politically. AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #37

The RCC was deeply enmeshed in the Hobby Lobby case BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #81

And the Mormons in Prop 8 HERVEPA Jan 2015 #94

And the GOP is using Creationism from our Krazy Kristians to deny Climate Change BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #195

Catholic Church, Southern Baptists HERVEPA Jan 2015 #92

They are treestar Jan 2015 #145

It occurs when there is an inability to express one's liberal value without attacking others. freshwest Jan 2015 #9

It's easy to dunk a basketball if the net is 3 feet high... Bonobo Jan 2015 #11

I didn't change the conversation. NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #18

good to see you again LittleGirl Jan 2015 #15

I'm with you! yuiyoshida Jan 2015 #407

I totally agree. PADemD Jan 2015 #16

Thank you once again, NanceGreggs. nt kelliekat44 Jan 2015 #17

My faith is strong----I am not at all offended when others ridicule my faith nikto Jan 2015 #19

Exactly BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #20

We are! dawg Jan 2015 #295

They aren't harming liberalism by pushing back against religions which bring great harm BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #298

In that case, you and I are in agreement. But much of what is posted here goes ... dawg Jan 2015 #299

Yes, it is. But there is no reason to tell people that religion shall not be criticized. BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #304

Yep, sticks and stones may break my bones - but words will never hurt me. Rex Jan 2015 #139

In context of the post you were responding to F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #180

I agree. Rex Jan 2015 #197

people are getting sick of being told to respect misogyny, homophobia, etc. Skittles Jan 2015 #21

People who see misognony and homophobia ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #24

I can be both free of it AND disgusted by it Skittles Jan 2015 #25

Because those who harbor such beliefs are not content to live and let live. geek tragedy Jan 2015 #28

If only it were that simple to remove those religions' influence from our lives. AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #40

Yes let them be free to do stuff like this LostOne4Ever Jan 2015 #48

"Why is THAT so fucking hard to understand?" BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #82

The "cussing" was her echoing the post she was responding to caraher Jan 2015 #262

But we can't excuse ourselves from the misogyny and homophobia. n/t prayin4rain Jan 2015 #160

Precisely! ozone_man Jan 2015 #315

Wow. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #181

Alert rejected 7-0... brooklynite Jan 2015 #263

^ lamp_shade Jan 2015 #296

Re your tag line, I loved Cat Stevens, he put me on cloud 9 Beringia Jan 2015 #353

Straw man in that religious fundies may hang onto that treestar Jan 2015 #148

How so? F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #186

Since the religions do change over time treestar Jan 2015 #392

Hullo, Nance, nice to see you again Hekate Jan 2015 #22

When that faith causes people to restrict the freedoms and dignity of others geek tragedy Jan 2015 #26

Any religion ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #36

Except... AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #42

How about those who promote conversion therapy for geek tragedy Jan 2015 #43

That's ridiculous. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #188

Post removed Post removed Jan 2015 #59

Note that the person who posted #59 has been served his pizza by Skinner. stevenleser Jan 2015 #278

Fundamentalist extremism is the problem ErikJ Jan 2015 #27

At first I was gonna say something about those whose faith allows them to commit evil DFW Jan 2015 #29

excllent post, DFW Skittles Jan 2015 #33

Hot damn, there are some excellent posts in this thread. AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #47

+1 F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #189

Mockery and ridicule are challenges to authority Prism Jan 2015 #31

THANK YOU Skittles Jan 2015 #34

Mocking Muslims in France isn't challenging authority BainsBane Jan 2015 #56

Ridiculous oberliner Jan 2015 #87

Thank you. +1 Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #133

Thank you. n/t whathehell Jan 2015 #108

So, we should ease up on conservative Christians? Prism Jan 2015 #157

Well said. nt F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #190

The Catlick Church is a Criminal Organization warrant46 Jan 2015 #101

Man is it nice to "see" Puglover Jan 2015 #128

Excellent post. +100 Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #132

That post was a thing of beauty. Bonobo Jan 2015 #159

Nice! Yes! n/t prayin4rain Jan 2015 #161

Fantastic post. Desert805 Jan 2015 #182

Always a pleasure to see you here! n/t QC Jan 2015 #187

Well Made point, Mbrow Jan 2015 #222

"and has used its power" religion has not people have uponit7771 Jan 2015 #245

People are religion Prism Jan 2015 #248

I disagree, people carry out religious beliefs... religion in and of itself doesn't oppress without uponit7771 Jan 2015 #250

The thought is incoherent Prism Jan 2015 #251

"then who is responsible for it? ".. people? People can carry out WRONG understanding of beliefs too uponit7771 Jan 2015 #253

I actually think we agree Prism Jan 2015 #255

yeap, humans don't like their worlds challenged.... easier to just settled in a belief and not have uponit7771 Jan 2015 #259

^K&R^ WorseBeforeBetter Jan 2015 #345

Excellent post. truebrit71 Jan 2015 #389

Thank you. SheilaT Jan 2015 #32

The thing is Eko Jan 2015 #38

+1 AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #45

The entire conversation Boreal Jan 2015 #39

... SidDithers Jan 2015 #134

Excellent post. To be fair, Charlie Hebdo's journalists wrote editorial content as well as cartoons Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #150

IBTL, of course ridiculing religion can help lead people to question faith. AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #44

So you think you can convert them? BainsBane Jan 2015 #49

I would love nothing more than to see religion in the dustbin of history AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #51

You enabler, you. n/t. bvf Jan 2015 #58

The mythology I'd like to see meet its demise is capitalism BainsBane Jan 2015 #60

I wholly encourage you to keep nibbling at that issue. AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #64

This. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #198

Question F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #196

It should also be noted that by ridiculing religion LostOne4Ever Jan 2015 #54

And that's not an insignificant reason. Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #131

This is why, though I generally don't choose to engage in ridicule, F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #200

If atheists feel they need to see others being ridiculed in order to feel better ... dawg Jan 2015 #235

So, when we here at the DU make fun of the GOP and Fox News we're doing so to feel better? Moonwalk Jan 2015 #241

I *do* think our desire to mock our opponents is unbecoming. dawg Jan 2015 #242

This is 2015, the internet has been around since 1995, for 20 fucking years!!! Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #371

Not everyone has unfettered access to internet LostOne4Ever Jan 2015 #373

Ah, the ol' "you live up to your user name" remark. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #374

99% of all statistics on the internet are made up LostOne4Ever Jan 2015 #375

I love that you ask why BainsBane Jan 2015 #46

Check out post 54. nt F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #201

there should be understanding bigtree Jan 2015 #50

Religion offers a ton of targets deserving of ridicule. bvf Jan 2015 #52

It is interesting how Eko Jan 2015 #53

Thanks, Nance. Brigid Jan 2015 #55

Does the United Methodist Church support or oppose same-sex marriage? AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #62

Check the SOP for GD. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #203

It has been my experience that even so much as expressing disbelief will cause offense. LiberalAndProud Jan 2015 #57

On DU?...You must be joking, whathehell Jan 2015 #109

OMG thank you. NYC_SKP Jan 2015 #61

Yes, SKP, regale us with further tales of how the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists were bigots and AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #66

Well said. Ultimately, ridiculing for something someone believes is a waste of time, world wide wally Jan 2015 #63

Fill in the blank. bvf Jan 2015 #65

by Jakes Progress Jan 2015 #106

Or what they can and cna't say? BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #205

Tout est pardonn� Depaysement Jan 2015 #68

Pr�cis�ment/Precisely Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #212

Felicitations � Moli�re pas moi Depaysement Jan 2015 #247

Et VOILA je viens de me faire ridicule de ne pas avoir reconnu la citation Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #260

There are many stupid things we have a right to do. Kablooie Jan 2015 #69

I defend the right to retaliate for ridicule with equal ridicule DFW Jan 2015 #72

Ah, but the person you ridicule may not care what you think. Kablooie Jan 2015 #79

Most objects of ridicule don't care what those who mock them think DFW Jan 2015 #158

And, there you have it, in 20 words or less.^^^This^^^! n/t Surya Gayatri Jan 2015 #88

See post 54 in this thread. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #204

Thank you, Nance protect our future Jan 2015 #70

The "same god, whatever brand of religion" thing bvf Jan 2015 #73

usually when i criticize religion it has more to do with people who use it to justify JI7 Jan 2015 #71

Well said, Nance. lamp_shade Jan 2015 #74

What you're seeing is pushback against being Lars39 Jan 2015 #75

Religion is a CHOICE that one makes, one is not born religious it requires ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #80

Do I know of any Christian? Yes, I do. eomer Jan 2015 #83

+1 F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #217

These kinds of ideas need to be saltpoint Jan 2015 #84

What I don't understand is anyone's need to ridicule others' politics oberliner Jan 2015 #85

John Cole Fumesucker Jan 2015 #127

Irony Alert! Satirical content may cause hurt feelings Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #218

Thanks! oberliner Jan 2015 #219

Many on here have defended the usefulness of our collective 1st Amendment rights Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #224

Great to see you posting Nance! The ridiculing on many topics livetohike Jan 2015 #86

Fine. I might be offended right with the person but should that offense lead to murderous response TheKentuckian Jan 2015 #89

If you choose to follow a religion DLevine Jan 2015 #95

Take your op and replace religion with political ideology. PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #96

+1 Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #111

Well put. ucrdem Jan 2015 #97

VERY . . . WELL . . . SAID . . . .!!! Thanks for being an adult in our room DrDan Jan 2015 #98

Those who claim faith which cannot withstand ridicule are truly faithless. eom MohRokTah Jan 2015 #100

+10,000 Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #384

I miss the unrec button. Scuba Jan 2015 #102

thanks for the reminder . . . Rec DrDan Jan 2015 #110

I miss it too! B Calm Jan 2015 #116

+1 bahrbearian Jan 2015 #140

Amen to that. WorseBeforeBetter Jan 2015 #336

We should tolerate and welcome diversity of beliefs, but not the harm done in the name of a beleif Martin Eden Jan 2015 #103

two problems come in DonCoquixote Jan 2015 #104

Very well said. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #225

Well said, Nance. I agree completely. whathehell Jan 2015 #105

There are multiple examples in this thread F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #226

I can't find post 54, so if you really want whathehell Jan 2015 #272

Here's the link. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #275

Um, you've given me NanceGreggs's opinion which matches mine. whathehell Jan 2015 #283

It's linked correctly and works for me, and on another computer. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #286

Good Rant, Nance libodem Jan 2015 #107

When the poor persecuted christian church keeps it's nose out of American politics, B Calm Jan 2015 #112

^Yup. Exactly^ LondonReign2 Jan 2015 #163

Any comment on this? Scuba Jan 2015 #114

Scary. . They also want to outlaw a woman's choice to have a safe abortion. Gays B Calm Jan 2015 #120

Are they are still promoting Bush's Great Crusade ? bahrbearian Jan 2015 #146

.. Initech Jan 2015 #167

There's this: moondust Jan 2015 #192

That was claimed to be a fake by another poster here. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #228

Multiple pics in different locations have been posted. I s'pose they could all be shopped.... Scuba Jan 2015 #281

Thank you. K&R nt TBF Jan 2015 #117

Great diary. You are fantastic on social issues! nt stillwaiting Jan 2015 #118

In a nutshell, "Religion is priveleged" TransitJohn Jan 2015 #119

Yup. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #230

^This^ GoneOffShore Jan 2015 #340

Burkas. Hanging gay people. Stoning adulterers. What's not to mock? Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #121

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can agree. Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #122

+1 Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #129

Well said and thank you. LawDeeDah Jan 2015 #124

If we can't mock religion, next we'll be forbidden to mock politics, and away we go... Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #125

Thank you, Nance. brer cat Jan 2015 #130

I always find it interesting which progressives hate free speech and democracy Rex Jan 2015 #136

Yes, this thread is like an authoritarian seeing stone BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #216

I agree - there seems to be an assumption that liberals will be atheists treestar Jan 2015 #137

Mocking religion itself is probably a bad idea. Mocking people and organizations MineralMan Jan 2015 #142

Oh FFS, so never ridicule Pat Robertson either because it will not.... Logical Jan 2015 #143

Religious thought tends to require reinforcement. Orsino Jan 2015 #149

I disagree. Religion is a set of ideas... SidDithers Jan 2015 #151

You know F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #234

Thanks for the kind words...nt SidDithers Jan 2015 #237

Great display of hypocrisy here! wavesofeuphoria Jan 2015 #152

There are a LOT of assumptions in the OP Cosmic Kitten Jan 2015 #154

100th rec, Nance. elehhhhna Jan 2015 #155

I'm sorry but religion threads are not allowed in GD. hlthe2b Jan 2015 #162

This message was self-deleted by its author F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #238

I think the reason for the harsh satire of a religion is to prompt adherents to improve AND to stevenleser Jan 2015 #165

I agree... Spazito Jan 2015 #166

Faith must not be very strong if your feelings are hurt when someone makes fun of it. alarimer Jan 2015 #168

I think human rights violations are open to criticism ismnotwasm Jan 2015 #169

This: Capt. Obvious Jan 2015 #170

Religion is an idea, like any other idea. I can mock it as I choose, and so should everyone else. chrisa Jan 2015 #171

Is there to be no counter to the power of the religions? Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #172

Will you convince any of those sects to change their ways? randome Jan 2015 #177

There have been studies showing that the number one factor in the drop in religious belief Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #183

That's always a good thing, I agree. randome Jan 2015 #193

Sturgeon's law applies as much to Charie Hebdo as it does to anything else.. Fumesucker Jan 2015 #223

True. OTOH, ninety percent of crud doesn't bring out the crazies like mocking Islam does. randome Jan 2015 #243

Stop one level of criticism and they'll simply move on to the next level Fumesucker Jan 2015 #252

Criticism and mockery are often -not always- different things but I see your point. randome Jan 2015 #310

Yeah, rather like "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance Fumesucker Jan 2015 #322

Unfortunately, appealing to facts isn't the most effective means of influencing people. Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #232

Not to mention these belief systems got/get people killed. Hissyspit Jan 2015 #270

Yes. I don't understand why so many progressive seem to pretend they're benign, or at the very least Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #297

Exactly. I consider religion to be a form smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #305

Amen! madamesilverspurs Jan 2015 #173

Ridicule only has an effect on a very small number of youth who are open to it. randome Jan 2015 #175

My only caveat... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #179

Shit, on DU last week a people were "offended by" the new McDonald's commercial GusBob Jan 2015 #184

Nancy, I am a practicing Christian.. Peacetrain Jan 2015 #194

Seriously, who is trying to drive you out? Nt Logical Jan 2015 #239

I have been asked.. to the point of a demand almost Peacetrain Jan 2015 #266

Well, I am an atheist and have no problems with you being here. I think it is a bunch of made up.... Logical Jan 2015 #273

So magic underwear is off limits.....really? randr Jan 2015 #199

Thread win. CrispyQ Jan 2015 #267

Thank you, Nance. Bobbie Jo Jan 2015 #202

MLK, Ghandi BainsBane Jan 2015 #236

And just as many F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #240

Religion is ideology BainsBane Jan 2015 #265

I know you are right Nance but for some reason I just can't get past magic underwear. I'll try OregonBlue Jan 2015 #206

That would mean Charlie Hedbo was also narrow-minded? progressoid Jan 2015 #207

+1 BuddhaGirl Jan 2015 #208

My personal feeling on mocking religion is if you don't like it, don't do it. Autumn Jan 2015 #209

Religion MUST be Criticized and Mocked TheSarcastinator Jan 2015 #210

Thank you. Cleita Jan 2015 #211

Two Words. SomethingFishy Jan 2015 #213

So Are Scientology and Uranta Also Immune from Critique and Mockery? TheSarcastinator Jan 2015 #214

I'm fucking sick of religious privilege.... MellowDem Jan 2015 #215

Lumping atheism in with that other imaginary shit is offensive and narrow minded. nt LexVegas Jan 2015 #220

I know both former Christians and former Jews who cite ridicule of their faith as a factor. Gormy Cuss Jan 2015 #227

It's nice to be able to K&R.... daleanime Jan 2015 #229

At least here in the South, mocking religion is a great way to make more Republicans. dawg Jan 2015 #231

Exactly. Brigid Jan 2015 #292

I totally agree. nruthie Jan 2015 #233

You are one of the reasons why I became a regular visitor to DU in the first place War Horse Jan 2015 #244

I see the hosts have reconsidered. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #246

Who besides the Mockingbird could have guessed that mockery was such a powerful tool? Rex Jan 2015 #258

So you don't think waking someone up to reality adieu Jan 2015 #249

my big worry is what that type'll do when we swap enemies du jour MisterP Jan 2015 #254

255 replies, 138 recs...you should give your judgement a rest more often. Rex Jan 2015 #256

Rather see it out in the open here than suspect it's seething underneath the posts. bluesbassman Jan 2015 #257

Ridiculing people and ridiculing nonsense beliefs are not quite the same. Warpy Jan 2015 #261

Ridiculing those who use religion The Wizard Jan 2015 #264

The definition of the word "bigot" Roy Rolling Jan 2015 #268

False equivalence. Hissyspit Jan 2015 #269

Dear Offended Religious People Puglover Jan 2015 #277

Funny story about that "Mockery" thing. A recent protest by the Westboro Baptist church was bobalew Jan 2015 #280

Thank You Nance!! Sander Jan 2015 #282

Thank you. The level of cognitive dissonance shown by some is really disheartening onenote Jan 2015 #284

bingo DrDan Jan 2015 #329

When religion stops creating victims I will leave it alone. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #285

Great to see a post from you here, Nance! BlueMTexpat Jan 2015 #288

+1,000,000 ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2015 #294

What shameful cowardice Augustus Jan 2015 #300

Well said. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #302

welcome to DU, Augustus Skittles Jan 2015 #303

Bravo! smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #312

Sounds right to me. Welcome to DU. immoderate Jan 2015 #317

+1 Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #319

thank you. nt m-lekktor Jan 2015 #321

+1 BeanMusical Jan 2015 #333

good for you augustus peasant one Jan 2015 #343

Freaking BRAVO, Augustus Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #385

Having the user name I have....... A HERETIC I AM Jan 2015 #306

Stereotyping and scapegoating are destructive and stupid carolinayellowdog Jan 2015 #307

+1 Jamaal510 Jan 2015 #327

K & R Thespian2 Jan 2015 #308

If you'd keep your beliefs in your own home and church, nobody would say anything about you. blkmusclmachine Jan 2015 #309

+1000 smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #313

"thin-skinned and hypocritical" BeanMusical Jan 2015 #323

Thank you. rhett o rick Jan 2015 #361

Hate to burst your little bubble ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #366

if/when I ridicule religion (or anything else) Kali Jan 2015 #311

yes! Wgles Jan 2015 #318

Religions have been so great for women and LGBT people. BeanMusical Jan 2015 #324

Well yeah. ozone_man Jan 2015 #328

"Against my better judgement..." says something profound... Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #325

The idea that religious beliefs are magically privileged and exempt from ridicule and criticism... oberliner Jan 2015 #326

This post should be on the greatest page. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #330

+1 BeanMusical Jan 2015 #331

+a trillion! Puglover Jan 2015 #335

yup sad to see this horrible OP has so many recs. m-lekktor Jan 2015 #337

you know it, Pacifist Patriot Skittles Jan 2015 #349

Spot on! +1 B Calm Jan 2015 #350

BA-ZINGA!! Hammer meet nail! Thanks for this, P.P. bullwinkle428 Jan 2015 #355

+1 Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #383

One of the most interesting threads I have read here in a long time. flying rabbit Jan 2015 #332

Extremism. Jamaal510 Jan 2015 #339

Well said. NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #346

Oh, you mean the guy who puts money in the collection plate skepticscott Jan 2015 #356

Well, maybe we should start roundin' up ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #365

Irrelevant bloviating skepticscott Jan 2015 #381

sorry, no, it is NOT just extremists Skittles Jan 2015 #352

I agree, but I'd get in line to support anyone ridiculing hate-based speech and behavior bhikkhu Jan 2015 #344

Who cares? They are all sinners and going to hell anyway, Nance. n/t jtuck004 Jan 2015 #347

I don't believe in hell. NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #369

This message was self-deleted by its author jtuck004 Jan 2015 #378

Yeah, I don't either. And that may be where the ridicule starts. Such a silly posture jtuck004 Jan 2015 #379

Your edit is a lie Augustus Jan 2015 #348

Yes, I was talking about Hebdo in that thread. NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #367

It's comforting to look down on others as intellectually inferior IronLionZion Jan 2015 #351

NanceGreggs I am glad you went against your better judgement Joe Turner Jan 2015 #354

Truly mind blowing how many people here skepticscott Jan 2015 #357

+1 Hissyspit Jan 2015 #362

Yes indeed. Desert805 Jan 2015 #368

In the case of children Beringia Jan 2015 #358

Religion is fair game to be mocked... MrMickeysMom Jan 2015 #359

You're right. Union Scribe Jan 2015 #360

No one expects ridicule to convince religious people to change their thinking. Marr Jan 2015 #363

When faith is truly strong within a person... nikto Jan 2015 #364

This HAS to be a troll-job. Hard to believe a long-time DU'er would be this illogical or obtuse. AzDar Jan 2015 #370

Hard to believe that any DUer ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #372

Oh really? Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #380

You are right about that. Thanks again, NanceGreggs nt kelliekat44 Jan 2015 #387

Hard to believe that any DUer ... mr blur Jan 2015 #390

Because religion and politics ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #396

Yeah, damn all those DUers skepticscott Jan 2015 #394

I normally stay out of religious discussions herding cats Jan 2015 #376

Just saw your Edit. I agree with that, too. Hekate Jan 2015 #377

agreed with your original post . . . agree even more with your edit DrDan Jan 2015 #382

I don't have time to read almost 400 posts about this... TreasonousBastard Jan 2015 #386

And this is different than what posters here skepticscott Jan 2015 #395

It's not a surprise. I'm simply reminding... TreasonousBastard Jan 2015 #399

Just so I'm clear Goblinmonger Jan 2015 #391

This thread should have 1000s of recommends by now. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #397

I wish that's all it was. Pacifist Patriot Jan 2015 #400

It was a call for civility. NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #402

Yes, and it is obvious by now that Skinner has made a huge mistake with this jury experiment. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #403

I'm not sure I understand your point ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #406

Back to the future. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #408

Now I get it ... NanceGreggs Jan 2015 #409

All I know is . . . Brigid Jan 2015 #405

We should be respectful of each other and our individual differences. Agnosticsherbet Jan 2015 #401

nice reasoned OP Liberal_in_LA Jan 2015 #404