Irreverence isn't bigotry, because ideas and beliefs are not people. [View all]

[Humanist_Activist]

I find it curious how ANY criticism of religious beliefs is labeled as bigotry right off the bat, just because the criticisms are irreverent. And I do mean any criticism, no matter how mild. Unless the unbeliever at least fakes reverence, they are bigotted by default.

Not saying the attitudes are tolerant, on the contrary they are quite intolerant, but of beliefs and ideas, not necessarily people. Apply this to any other part of human discourse, and you will see how ridiculous the label of "bigot" is thrown around so carelessly. Politics is a classic example, Democrats are, using this religious definition of bigotry, bigotted against Republicans, liberals and conservatives are bigots as well, and moderates are bigotted against what they label as extremes. Sports fans are bigotted against those of opposing teams, etc.

The issue is this, your ideas about God, Jesus, Muhammad, take a pick of deity and/or prophet, do not automatically deserve respect, no more so than a Yankees fan's beliefs that they are the greatest team in the country deserves respect from a Red Sox fan. Ideas and beliefs only merit respect if they can stand up under scrutiny, regardless of source.