Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Religion
In reply to the discussion: Irreverence isn't bigotry, because ideas and beliefs are not people. [View all]cbayer
(146,218 posts)13. I have seen quite a bit of discussion about bigotry towards believers here recently
but I have never seen what you describe. There is lots and lots of criticism of religious beliefs that are not labeled as bigotry. What is labeled as bigotry are statements of complete intolerance of those individuals or groups that are religious. Bigotry was used to describe the author of the "Occupy Religion" article. He wasn't expressing irreverence. He was expressing bigotry. And he wasn't aiming it at particular ideas or beliefs but at individuals and groups.
I would posit to you that it is individuals who merit respect, not ideas and beliefs.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
98 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Irreverence isn't bigotry, because ideas and beliefs are not people. [View all]
Humanist_Activist
Jan 2012
OP
I disagree. If an idea is unable to stand up to scrutiny but is still advocated, then disrespect
cleanhippie
Jan 2012
#5
If that is your idea and you advocate that idea, then consider your wish granted.
Starboard Tack
Jan 2012
#6
"Ideas and beliefs only merit respect if they can stand up under scrutiny" - Exactly!
cleanhippie
Jan 2012
#4
Show me how you act--whether you have compassion, a thirst for justice and peace----
Thats my opinion
Jan 2012
#8
I don't think so, I'm lucky, at my work, I can show irreverence quite openly...
Humanist_Activist
Jan 2012
#21
I have seen quite a bit of discussion about bigotry towards believers here recently
cbayer
Jan 2012
#13
If I were to say that the Catholic Church is a homophobic, misogynistic organization...
Humanist_Activist
Jan 2012
#22
So you take quotes out of context to label him a bigot? How dishonest is that?
Humanist_Activist
Jan 2012
#25
Irreverence mocks people, because people are attached to their beliefs. It can be bigotry.
kwassa
Jan 2012
#37
I consider atheism to be extremely narrow-minded, narrowly focused, and generally
humblebum
Jan 2012
#39
I'd love to see examples of this danger, so I can demolish them with evidence...
Humanist_Activist
Jan 2012
#40
The "positivist" method or "logical positivist" or 'logical empirical method", each of which
humblebum
Jan 2012
#41
You really are stuck on the whole "atheism equals communism" thing, aren't you?
Humanist_Activist
Jan 2012
#43
You have failed to "demolish" anything with evidence. And, nowhere did I state
humblebum
Jan 2012
#47
I think you pretty much summed it up. Atheism, in general, is neutral, neither good nor bad.
humblebum
Jan 2012
#55
Never have denied that "Atheism is a lack of belief in a god or gods." That does not
humblebum
Jan 2012
#64
You are right about that, it is different in that atheist thought is reality-based.
cleanhippie
Jan 2012
#67
You are confusing yourself even more. Every one of my statements there reflects
humblebum
Jan 2012
#75
Also, where did I say that anyone was born with an active belief in anything? I only
humblebum
Jan 2012
#88