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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIntolerance of Religion/Christianity?
Within 1 mile of my home, there are more than a dozen churches. But I'm intolerant.
There are TV channels, MegaChurches and prayer meetings. Every 3 days there are religious fliers on my door, every few weeks some of them come banging on my door at dinnertime. But I'm intolerant
They have billboards, posters, signs, websites, podcasts, radio shows, they have stores in the mall for christ sakes... Jesus has a merchandising arm that would make Gene Simmons jealous. But I'm intolerant.
They have lobbyists, representatives, activists and tax free money. The very first amendment to the Constitution is dedicated to their freedom. But I'm intolerant.
They say this is "their" country. But I'm intolerant.
We put up with all this shit, and when we say, "well, I'm sorry, you can have your churches, and MegaChurches, and your fliers, and missionaries, and your posters, billboards and signs, your websites, podcasts, radio shows, and stores, your representatives, activists and your billions in tax free donations, but if you are going to use them to hurt other people, then we are going to have a problem", they go off the fucking deep end.
But I'm... intolerant.
NoJusticeNoPeace
(5,018 posts)This church and no tax shit is making me mad.
But I agree, it is YOU who are intolerant, dont you realize that my intolerance and hatred trumps your right to exist?
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)made me want to invent a religion and get rich off of stupid people.. This honest living shit is apparently for the birds.
The liberal and conservative definitions of "tolerance" are exactly polar opposites.
Liberals: tolerance is not being discriminated against.
Conservatives: tolerance is allowing us to discriminate against whoever we want... or whoever this stupid book tells us to.
NoJusticeNoPeace
(5,018 posts)He had the church use children and adults to work for him at 40 cents an hour, he had them create a girlfriend for him, he had them spy on Nicole Kidman and he knows this outfit does horrible things and he not only doesnt rat them out, he seems to LOVE it
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)yeah that shit creeped me out... Basically the church gave him slaves.
I still don't understand how they continue to have any kind of following. Once the first moron opened that briefcase with the "Galactic Overlord Xenu" bullshit in it you would think someone would have figured out they'd been had, and the whole thing was just a joke.
tblue37
(65,487 posts)also the fact that many have already provided information during therapy sessions that can be used to pressure or blackmail them if they ever try to get out. Also, if their friends or families are members, then they hesitate to leave for fear of losing contact with those they love.
StarzGuy
(254 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)GreenEyedLefty
(2,073 posts)byronius
(7,401 posts)StarzGuy
(254 posts)...How can so many people be so gullible? Giving all their money to this fraudulent scheme. I understand why "stars" like Tom Cruise are being used by these fraud merchandisers because he got a lot of stuff from them and actors in general are so stupid to begin with.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)nikto
(3,284 posts)(Father Gabriel---A cowardly, hypocritical, blame-shifting religionist jerk)
IMO, on this issue & character, Walking Dead nails it.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)atheists are just as bad and militant as fundamentalists ... And why? Because those meanies say things against religion on the Internet, they've published a handful of books, and sometimes they put up billboards and bus/subway signs. Oh, the humanity!
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)with religious people. I find them as tiresome as evangelicals.
But overall in society, the gold medal for meddling in others' lives goes to the fundamentalists.
There are definitely some atheist/anti-theist bullies who are as righteous and obnoxious in their conviction as the bully evangelicals, and as rigid, and as eager to LOUDLY tell anyone who thinks otherwise how wrong they are. Just as the fundies do, they vehemently 'hate the sin AND the sinner'. But, yeah - the prize ultimately goes to the fundies.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)or trying to pass legislation to restrict the rights of believers or saying "There is no god!" before meetings, etc. etc.
Ineeda
(3,626 posts)but wasn't my point.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)into seeing things your way. Using condescension, acrimony, and insults may give one a momentary sense of superiority but ultimately just creates Internet pollution.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)NO! You don't say!
Should we hide our daughters and lock our door against theses dangerous hordes?
I don't think the few atheists who actively try to get religion out of their lives as much as possible are a real threat, do you?
Then there are religionists who REALLY pick fights.... and kill lots of people.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)of religion is not something of which to be proud, IMHO. It's non-productive.
One needn't be an abrasive jerk to get religion out of one's life.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)You really need to put a *snort* warning before making a statement like that. My keyboard is hasing a sad.
stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)Yep. They're dumbasses.
world wide wally
(21,754 posts)Zorra
(27,670 posts)Avalux
(35,015 posts)They are the only ones who get to go to heaven. I am not making a blanket statement about all Christians....but I AM making a statement about those who are convinced that everyone on the planet must believe in their god. THEY are intolerant, They cannot accept people who believe something different, They spend their lives trying to force others to do as they say, sometimes in hateful and violent ways. They believe this country is a Christian nation, and they're entitled to it, it belongs to them.
Personally, I've had more than a few people try to 'convert' me to their brand of Christianity. One in particular, was so concerned with the well-being of my soul because I wasn't 'saved' that she prayed for me every night. She prayed I would give myself over to god. She said if I didn't I would burn in hell.
Crazy to me.
gordianot
(15,244 posts)Go ahead and meet them speak these words turn around then shut the door. "I am afraid I cannot join you church if I did I might go to your heaven then I would have to spend eternity with people like you" If that does not work say; "See you in hell". Works every time I am Jehovah Witness free.
calimary
(81,466 posts)I got stuck next to one on a plane once. SHEEEEEEEEEE-IT!!!! I hope THAT never happens to you!!!!!
This was a LONG time ago. He got into a conversation with me. No matter what I said - including - HEY, I'm ALREADY saved! We believe in the SAME Guy! I was baptized Catholic at the ripe old age of two-WEEKS!" That wasn't enough. It was HIS particular "Christian" cult that he insisted I embrace. He would not stop. Finally, I decided that he wouldn't be able to tell if I was lying, so I lied to him. I "gave in." I realized nothing else was gonna shut him up. That actually did work. We held hands and said a prayer - his. I went along with it. I tried to stay pleasant. I thought it would be better to let him think he'd scored another win - and it did seem to work out that way. And he left me alone after that. Except at the end of the flight, he asked for my phone number so we could "continue the conversation." I lied again. "Yeah, sure. This was great." And I gave him a number I made up. I made up a last name, too. Smiled and thanked him, and got the hell off the plane, disappeared into a crowd, and outta that terminal as soon as I could.
Sometimes you have to be a stealth fighter.
BarbaRosa
(2,685 posts)and use it when I don't want to give up mine. Oh yeah 575-534-9811
calimary
(81,466 posts)I may just make a note about that and keep it!
niyad
(113,552 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Fuddnik
(8,846 posts)Or if I'm in a bad mood ask, "Are you a Moron or a Jehovah's Waitress"?
chemenger
(1,593 posts)Try "I am my own religion." and watch their reaction.
And you're
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)"Can I tell you about Jesus?" I say "No". It has always worked for me, but there may be something in my tone that lets them know that it is best to walk away.
Warpy
(111,339 posts)Night nurses are RABID when some Jebus salesman wakes us up.
I've lived in this house for 18 years and haven't seen a Jehovah's Witless for 17.5 of them. The Mormons cross the street when they get this far down the block.
If I'm out and about and they try to send me to hell, I just grab their right hand and start pumping it up and down furiously while saying "I knew god was dead, but I hadn't heard you got his job!! Congratulations!!" I can always make a clean getaway while they reboot.
gordianot
(15,244 posts)Family is another matter my fundie Brother in law made an actual physical threat against his sister (my wife). In the mix he threw in politics rabid Republican, his Christian religion, with pronouncement you are going to help. After talking with my wife she stated she never wanted to see him again and allowed me the pleasure of telling him that. Being somewhat fearful she would relent I made sure he got the message outside. Guess it worked have not heard from him in ten years and if he ever returns as long as draw air I will fulfil my promise.
Warpy
(111,339 posts)applied smartly to his arse.
My mother kicked out one of my dad's sanctimonious brothers after years of abuse. Even his wife backed her up on that one, especially since he blew a drunken screaming fit on their front lawn that sounded epic in the retelling. Only comment I heard from any of their neighbors was "who was that blowhard?"
Sometimes they have to go to protect our own mental health, even if they haven't threatened us physically. It's just awful that so much of this stuff is being instigated by crooked preachers and reinforced by right wing media. It makes it more common than it used to be.
gordianot
(15,244 posts)If you are threatened think you can end it do it right away. I just saw no where to stop. My Father was always adamant to never make a threat. I just did not want to talk with Police or have to clean up a mess. I did give him 5 minutes to leave. For a moment I was transported back to the school yard at a level of anger I have never experienced. That was 10 years ago no direct contact but have seen them drive by. My offer still stands.
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)"God told me you were going to come by today. He wanted me to tell you you've got it all wrong." What can they say?
Jahovahs, LDS and some other hardcore S. Baptist folks. Did it three times. Never saw anybody come to our door again.
gordianot
(15,244 posts)Particularly odious are the Church groups who show up at Wal-Mart another good reason to stay away.
I never complain about kids who cut through the yard. I go full old man crank on Bible thumpers.
Teacheral
(33 posts)I tell them that I'm a Druid and I need to climb a Rowan tree and play with mu runes.
gordianot
(15,244 posts)DesertDiamond
(1,616 posts)whether they practice "our" religion or not. It's is everyone's right, and when we have created world peace, everyone will be able to enjoy it. I had a very sweet LDS friend tell me once that "when the world ends, we will still have Earth, but it will be a glorified version, and only LDS members will be there." Sorry, sweetie. The world's not going to end, and when it's become the peaceful, beautiful place it can and will be, we will all be there enjoying it. Including LDS members! LOL
blackspade
(10,056 posts)I find your intolerance refreshing.
hunter
(38,326 posts)... who believes marriage is a human right, gay or straight,
But fuck mere tolerance.
The ideal to strive for is acceptance and celebration of all gentle, peaceful, and non-exploitive human relationships.
wryter2000
(46,081 posts)We're not tolerant. We're welcoming and affirming. Who wants to be tolerated?
TxDemChem
(1,918 posts)Of my life in Texas
jamesatemple
(342 posts)There must be a least a dozen or so in the State. I've learned to avoid conversations concerning religion what with my being so intolerant. I just state my position openly and firmly, love my "tolerant" friends, family, and neighbors, discuss the few things upon which we agree, and "vent my spleen" only among like-minded cyber-friends. But there are times that I sure get lonely, wishing to speak face-to-face with some other intolerant folks like myself.
TxDemChem
(1,918 posts)It is so difficult to have any sort of meaningful conversations with people here, even with liberals. I'm amazed at how nearly every subject can be turned into a religious subject. I've pretty much stopped talking at work.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Good post. You'll find people crying about the 'intolerance' of atheists over in the A&A and Religion groups, if you're interested.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Those poor oppressed bastards.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)of intolerance. Great rant.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)obxhead
(8,434 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)I can't "solve" the fact that religious people lie to make themselves feel persecuted. I can't "solve" the fact that Christians get everything they need and that still isn't enough. I can't "solve" greed and hatred.
All I can do is make sure that my time spent here is time spent living, loving, and creating, and impart those ideals to my kids.
You know I actually do have a solution. First ride off this shitty forsaken rock...
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)What does that mean?
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)and in my spare time I will sit on my roof with my Pink Floyd albums under my arm and my thumb out waiting for the first ride off this shitty forsaken rock. Was it that hard to figure out?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)We are not all bad you know.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)Are you one of them? Do you discriminate against gays because of the bible?
Or are you trying to tell me you are a Christian who isn't all bad? If so then the onus is on YOU to solve this problem, not me.
I don't think all Christians are bad people, I think Christianity is a bad religion. As are most of them.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)You have a pleasant evening.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)sorry if I sounded like an ass, but you were the one who came in here questioning me...
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)I understand you are angry and I just being honest.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)Wish I could tell you I knew how to make it better...
I'm out for the evening, stay out of trouble...
and again, apologies, we are all a bit on edge...
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Hugs And have a great night.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)mountain grammy
(26,648 posts)Good post. Needs saying.
obxhead
(8,434 posts)The good and the bad, they can do whatever they want with their religion.
The second it impacts me we have a BIG FUCKING PROBLEM.
Leave me alone, do as you wish, I will do the same. Try to influence or impact my family and I'll serve up a great big plate of go fuck yourself.
meow2u3
(24,772 posts)Intolerance of imposed religion? Yes.
Intolerance of fundamentalist fanatics? Absolutely!
napkinz
(17,199 posts)digonswine
(1,485 posts)on the christian radio--
That MOST of the year, the christians are mocked. Most of the year, they are persecuted.
But--only at Easter and Christmas are they the moral ones.
This was on In The Market with Janet Partial(SP?)-It's probably the best show they have, BTW.
This tone-deaf accounting of reality from one in the vast majority is unsettling. The arrogance is inexcusable. The ignorance is obvious.
Here is exactly how it is framed-
Religious liberty vs. the gay agenda. That's it.
Some truly think that their right to discriminate trumps the rights of those not to be discriminated against.
It's not framed that way---it is --religious liberty vs. the gay agenda--what a bunch of pure, unadulterated assholes. Pure, tone-deaf, assholes-one and all.
"Your rights interfere with my rights to deny you rights." Hey-fuck off and die.
calimary
(81,466 posts)That seems to be IT. The crux of it.
I personally would love to see the right to choose being factored in here, and added to the list of reasons why this is such a horribly bad and intolerable law.
The same legalized discrimination that would allow a granny in a flower shop to deny a gay couple her services to create flower arrangements for their wedding could, and I strongly believe WOULD, be used to deny a woman going to a fundie pharmacist the right to have her contraception prescription filled, if the pharmacist whined that it was against his religion.
And knowing the opposition we face on this - I wouldn't put it past ANY of 'em to try to figure out a way to weasel out of having to serve ANYBODY they thought was against their religion. Remember - these folks paint with an extraordinarily broad brush. Because it's their religion and they seem to be given over to paranoia about always being persecuted, I would EXPECT them to use ANYTHING they thought might work for their cause to get their way, and further ghettoize and victimize people they didn't agree with. Muslims? Hey, it's against MY religion to serve those who serve "that false god..." What about a Jewish person doing that to a Christian - OR a Christian doing that to a Jewish person? So far, that's exactly what they're entitled to do.
WE as women and as progressives/liberals/left-of-centers NEED to start lumping the perils facing the right to choose in with this, because it WILL be affected. And we need to start chipping away at that ongoing attack on Roe v Wade. Otherwise we're gonna lose it. Roe v Wade is ON THE ROPES - NOW.
digonswine
(1,485 posts)They(not ALL, but very many) would be happy to take the mile when given the inch. The key is to not give them the first inch-and they have it, for now.
Thespian2
(2,741 posts)Very well said!
Oh, I'm intolerant, too.
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)Skittles
(153,193 posts)is their faith really that fragile?
glinda
(14,807 posts)last four months here. Ugh. Am so sick of this shit.
Moostache
(9,897 posts)[img]?w=590[/img]
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SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)the amount of lies they will tell, and the level of hate and discrimination they will perpetuate, to prove they are the "good guys".
TDale313
(7,820 posts)Lunabell
(6,105 posts)I am so sick of religious bigots!
yuiyoshida
(41,861 posts)Last edited Tue Mar 31, 2015, 04:20 AM - Edit history (1)
I am Buddhist. I feel so blessed that I live in an area where I don't have to be exposed to that kind of outward hatred. But I do get it on line, on the internet. I have been sent messages like "Take your Cooley raghead ideas and go back to China." Talk about ignorance. Nasty messages from stupid people who know nothing about what Buddhism is,.. just they think is some kind of Satanic cult, because don't you know, when it comes to religion, its either black or white.. and being Asian in this country makes it a bit worse. People asking me if I have eaten my pets yet...and other mean spirited ideas. I try to stay away from places like Discussionist or websites that cater to and allow bigotry to flourish.
F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)I want to join that, that sounds like fun
All kidding aside, I'm sorry you have to go through that crap. No one deserves that. I am glad you are here, though, your posts are always from an interesting perspective and I enjoy reading them
yuiyoshida
(41,861 posts)all other religions are satanic. The Westboro baptist church could not exist in our town. That kind of hatred could not exist in a place where people have a world view and an education. San Francisco is place where many kinds of people live, and enjoy the fruits of many cultures. Visitors see that every day, which is why they come. Some even chose to stay, as we have many transplants, all adding to the melting pot, envisioned for our country some time ago. Where a Buddhist temple rite can be preformed next to a Wiccan one, or a Hindu one, or even a Baptist one.
I was here in 1989, when the Earthquake hit the Bay Area. People helped each other, get though a day that found many people homeless because their house had gone up in flames because of broken gas mains in the Marina district. People came together, and there was no mention of not helping a neighbor because they were Gay, or Black, or even Asian. We were a community.. and we came together.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Excellent post, SomethingFishy.
napkinz
(17,199 posts)Cryptoad
(8,254 posts),,, and the church elders sit around scratching their asses wonder why church membership keeps dropping like a rock!
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)to justify their bigotry
The more people that understand this, the sooner we can dump all this horseshit religion
TBF
(32,090 posts)DFW
(54,436 posts)Except it was over territory, religion is just the excuse.
Religion is ALWAYS such a convenient excuse--not by true believers, but by con artists who would profit by claiming to be true believers.
Luckily, after some traumas that would make the Civil War in the USA look like a disagreement over cake icing color, my current country of residence has grown beyond this mess. Religious intolerance is not completely gone, but what is left is mostly imported from outside, and not appreciated by the locals.
Germans still argue. But almost no one ever argues over religion any more. They are appalled that a country that sacrificed to free them of the Nazis would go back to such primitive cruel ways, and they cannot fathom for the life of them what purpose it is supposed to serve (neither can I, for that matter).
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Not for the soldiers.
Not for the suicide bombers
Not for the 9/11 hijackers
Not for the majority of foot soldiers in ISIS.
DFW
(54,436 posts)Fought on the soil on top of which now sits the house I live in
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Cool!
but I repeat:
religion was not an "excuse" for the soldiers.
DFW
(54,436 posts)For them, it was the only thing between them and starvation.
gregcrawford
(2,382 posts)... some of the vilest, most intolerant people I have ever met are ultra-religious super-Christians. They are the total antithesis of everything they purport to represent. And, yes, there are super-Jews, super-Muslims, super-Mormons, and there's probably even a super-Buddhist out there somewhere. There are extremists of every conceivable religious stripe. And they give the good people of their respective faiths a bad name, because they really don't give a shit about religion; they just have a pathological need to bully other people into doing things THEIR way, and God help those who transgress. Isn't that right, Mr. Miscavige?
And then there are the slimy con artists like Pat Robertson, who prey on the fear and ignorance of the semi-literate by pretending to have all the answers for those who are desperate for guidance through a world of terrifying complexity. There's an especially toasty ring of the Inferno awaiting people like you, Pat, ol' son.
Now mind you, I am not prejudiced. I despise all religions equally.
yellowwoodII
(616 posts)Just, please! Don't impose your beliefs on me. Don't expect me to pay the taxes that you are exempt from. Don't ask me to pay for the chaplain who visits the hospital. Don't deny me the prescription because you don't "believe" in what it does. Don't tell me about how God saved you while your neighbor was blown away by the storm. Don't tell me how your prayers helped you win the game. Don't tell me what to do with my body.
And if you are a good person, just be good for good-ness sake. I don't mind that you are superstitious. I will like you anyway.
spanone
(135,873 posts)demmiblue
(36,885 posts)niyad
(113,552 posts)libodem
(19,288 posts)[img][/img]
libodem
(19,288 posts)[img][/img]
libodem
(19,288 posts)[img][/img]
libodem
(19,288 posts)[img][/img]
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)of intolerance. Sounds like you need some therapy.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)Sigh. I had not counted that up before I moved here.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)has a dozen churches in a 6 block radius. I guess we need to be more tolerant..