February 22, 2006

  • Tolerance

    I was reading about the bombing of Iraqi Shiite shrines today in the news. A response to those bombings was given by attacks on Sunni mosques. In other words, the people are bombing the religious sites of each other in order to attack each other.

    It caused me to think about religious tolerance in our country. I have not read of a Catholic bombing a Methodist anytime recently. I am sure you could point to isolated cases of religious intolerance in our country. You may have those who burn churches in the South. That may be a result of racial intolerance. I began to think that maybe ultimately in Iraq the difference is a racial or ethnic difference rather than religious.

    I wonder to what degree we are religiously intolerant here. Maybe if we were in the middle of civil war, we would break out in fights between religious groups.

    But I believe that as a whole, we are religiously tolerant people. We tend to raise it as a goal to be religiously tolerant. I don’t think that means we don’t have people that would argue different positions. I just think by in large we value religious tolerance.

    Are we religiously tolerant as Americans?

Comments (221)

  • Definitely, and often moreso than we should be. Religious intolerance is often used as excuse for pursuing a more sinister agenda.

  • We’re doing alright, but we could be much much better.

  • yes
    i think we;re very compared to other nations

  • I agree with pen_and_sword that you have to have the right purpose, but I think too often one Christian denomination will hate another Christian denomination and end up stomping all over the Message for all of us.

  • as to other nations, wer are, but weare still not.

  • pretty much.

  • Now let me explain–I was just caught up in the excitement of being first.

    Tolerance is often used to mean that “even though I don’t beleive what you believe, we are both equally right,” whereas it really means that “even though I disagree with you, I won’t bomb your church.”

    We have too much of Tolerance Type A here in America, but I don’t think there could ever be too much of Tolerance Type B.

  • Heavens no. It could be worse but like bullmeister said, it could be much much better.

  • Yes. We are very very tolerant of other cultures, because Jesus said tolerance involves spreading lies about their own zealotry and then starting on something that may very well be another crusade. Because, you know, a crusade is so different than a jihad. Jesus said so.

    JESUS SAID IT SO IT CAN’T BE WRONG!!

  • I would say yes.

  • as a whole, yes

  • Drakonskyr, who is the “they” of the “their” in your comment? It make might sense if I knew.

  • Yes, but to much tolerance can be a bad thing.

  • I think we are for the most part.

  • to pretty much everyone except Christians…

  • to everyone cept for christians.

  • Yes, totally.

  • I think we are too religiously tolerant. It’s one thing to refrain from killing people for their religion, that’s wrong, and the right to one’s on religion is respectable, however we’ve changed the definition of tolerance to mean that every religion can be right at the same time. This is a flaw. Just because people believe differently doesn’t mean they’re al right. There will be one religion that will end up being right, and the others wrong. Until then, people will believe whatever, but it doesn’t mean they’re correct.

    -Jared

  • I think that on the outside America attempts to create a front of tolerance, but in reality many Americans are untolerant, especially Christians.

  • No, that is something that really needs to change, 99% of christians give the othe 1% a really bad name. People are way too quick to point out the splinter in anothers eye and not see the block of wood in theirs. People just use their “faith” as a cover to somehow make them feel good about their sins… they forget the personal relationship that a faith in God entails.
    Have a wonderful day
    Michael

  • no. we try to be, and we say we are… but we’re not. it’s pretty pathetic.

  • Talking to a co-worker in Hy-vee the other day got me thinking. Just so you know the guy is a little off his handle.. He has the craziest storys and weird rants about conspiracies. This time around I got more then a cheap laugh. He was ranting on how non of the Christmas songs in our store that our being played mention “Jesus” ”Christ” or even the word “Christmas” He is a Buddhist and could careless about the issue, but said “It’s a Christian Holiday and should be treated as such.” I myself hadn’t noticed the censored Christmas songs, but it got me thinking about how schools say it’s intolerant to call it Christmas break to kids that don’t celebrate Christmas. From There on out it is referred to as “winter break” Salesmen are calling them “holiday trees” not Christmas trees. Calling it xmas to take the Christ out. Is it THAT offensive to say ”Merry Christmas” over “Happy Holidays”…? Let me ask you.. which is more offensive to you: the “peace on earth” part? or “goodwill towards men” If you don’t want to celebrate Christmas or say Christmas then don’t celebrate whatever you want. Just don’t go to my Christmas parade and get mad at me for calling it what it is. ..Sadly It doesn’t stop at there…

    A true liberal thinker would say: “We just want to be tolerant of other views.” but they want to be tolerant of everybody’s views but Christians. If you bring up any religion in school or at work it’s ok, but if you bring up Christianity you are attacked. I’m sure I will get several comments saying “I’m a liberal, and I don’t believe that.” Well it’s not what you belive.. It’s what the magority of people that refer to themselves as liberals believe. The ten commandments were taken down when 85% of America agrees with all 10 of those commandments as just. They want to take in God we trust off our dollar bill and coins when almost all of America believes in a God. They want to take “under God” out of our pledge when EVERY single one of our forefathers said “The Bible was a good solid base for our system.” and they even said it should be taught in schools because of the morals it would teach our children. Wether you like it our not this country was founded by Christians. It is Christians that started the red cross and organizations like it. “separation from church and state” was to protect the church from the state, not the state from the church. The problem they have with Christianity is that besides Jesus claiming to be the son of God, was killed for it, and rose from the dead is that because all of us have done wrong and don’t deserve God we have to admit that we are wrong, and change. I believe Jesus is the only way to heaven so therefore if I truly believe that.. I know that all other religions are wrong. That is what offends them. Saying “My way is the only way.” We don’t say that out of selfishness though. If I truly believe accepting Jesus is the only way to heaven then me keeping my opinions to myself is just being cruel and selfish. I am not tell people that I think they are wrong, and I am tolerant of what they are saying.. that doesn’t mean I keep my views to myself. 

    If I’m in a burning building and only one of ten or more doors is unlocked and I know what one it is I am not going to keep that to myself. I want to tell everyone the good news. I am NOT going to be tolerant of the other doors! I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times.  Worring about being “politically correct” and the word “tolerance” is one of the biggest problems in America today.

                                P
                                            C
                                                 P
                            C                       C
                       P        P                      P
                  C                  C        C
               P                          P                           P           
                                      C         C                C
                                  P                  P        P
                             C                           C
                                 P
                                      C
                                           P          Politically Correct….    

    The term was formed in Nazi germany wether you believe it or not.

    America is whoring itself out in the name of “tolerance” but there is no love in true tolerance. It go’s both ways jerk….. 

  • No. Not at all

  • I think on the whole we are. People seem to be hating on Christians pretty frequently though. But really, on a whole we’re very tolerant. We don’t go and bomb Catholic church’s, take down Mosque’s, or blow up baptist church’s

  • No. I don’t think so at least. How many people say thing should be illegal because they go against the Christian faith? More than most would actually recognize. We are doing okay on it…but I’d rather be more like Denmark.

    Eva.

  • I don’t necessarily see the lack of inter-church/inter-religious bombings and killing to be a sign of American tolerance for religions. While we may, in comparison to such countries as those currently mixed up in the psuedo-holy-wars of the middle-east (which have, as I understand it, been ongoing for some time), seem as though we are the most tolerant and respectful bunch in the worldly barrel, we have more than our fair share of fanatacism, among many different religions.

    Fanatacism, however, comes in many forms.

    I feel it simply has to do with regional/societal parameters. That is, as America — as a country — we have agreed that the killing of others, for whatever reason, within our country is a bad thing, unless by some comissioned act of war, or self defense (though I’m not sure how “act of war/retaliation” is justified, overall). However, individuals among the masses still support the fanatic outcry against those who may be considered blasphemers, or heathens, in relation to any religion(s) of their choice.

    The religious killings taking place in other countries in the world abound continue because of other regional/societal confines. Our lack of these killings also has to do with our “Democracy.” We view killings elsewhere in the way that we do because we live in this democratic society, where certain unspoken rules (though, I am sure that they are scribed into our legislature, for good measure); our society is not the society of the world, though, and in order to put these deaths into perspective it is helpful to remember this. Just because it seems wrong to us doesn’t mean that it’s wrong as a whole.

    Who, then, is to define right and wrong? Who says what should be, when what “is” doesn’t go along with someone’s liking? When must changed be made, and when is it best to allow for things to continue to operate outside of our grasp? The one thing that I have never enjoyed about the US is our rather pesky habit of judging all actions outside of our country, and our societies based on what is within our society, no matter what the case. Though we may not always act on these judgements, they are very real, and not at all an exaggeration.

    As America we are religiously tolerant; we have agreed upon a necessity for it, as a whole. However, I can’t say that same for each of us, as Americans.

    Stephen

  • yup

  • dan,
    america is tolerant. very tolerant.
    except when it comes to intolerance.
    america will not tolerate intolerance, exclusivity or “one road to heaven”
    philosophy. thus, dan, kids can’t pray in school, college students who
    hold christian beliefs are regularly shamed and mocked for their
    faith in secular colleges by their own professors, and the, well, 10 commandments
    is supposedly a violation of the constitution. no, dan.
    america is not tolerant to christianity.

    although, the fault lies in part with fundamentalist christians,
    who would rather: preach individualistic satisfaction through
    salvation, tell people how wrong they are, rebuke sinners,
    and pass out gospel tracts than build relationships with sinners and non-christians -
    and we’re all sinners.

    jonathan

  • We are extremely tolerant. Those who think we are not are simply brainwashed ‘liberals’ who still think we live during the Spanish Inquisition.

  • yup, because even the shiites and sunnis in the united states don’t bomb each other here.

  • Yeah but, maybe to tolerant.
    And I agree with “pen and sword”.

    This culture has twisted and mal-used so many words, its can be difficult to tell what people really mean by them.
    Love, married, hate, ect.
    Its a little off topic but C. S. Lewis wrote a book called “Studies in Words”. I’ve only gotten through the first 18 pages but its very good so far.

    Amew

  • We are tolerant in that we don’t blow up ppl of different faiths…we may arrest them for putting up signs about Jesus, but we don’t blow them up…that’s pretty tolerant wouldn’t you say?

  • i think the definition of tolerance in this country has changed from being a “whatever” attitude toward it, and a “i’ll have my own opinion” to a more aggressive “they can’t do that!” attitude. just look at the pledge of allegiance, coinage phrases, jewish sacrifices.

    it’s all due to changes in what the populous thinks as right, not as the individual thinks is right.

  • when you say My view is intolerant of someone elses then you are being intolerant of mine. It doesn’t work.

  • I think that we are doing really well as far a toleance.  If anything I think that we are to tolarant.  It is always possible to let things go to far and in some ways It is getting there.  To much of a good thing…….is just as bad as a bad thing.

    ~G~

  • I strive to be spiritually tolerant

  • For the most part, I’d say yes.  We have such diversity, it would be hard not to be tolerant – to a point!  The exception seems to be towards those who are not Christian or Jewish.  Pagans, Buddists, etc do not have the same tolerance applied towards them as Christians or Jews do.  I think this is because, as a whole, we don’t know very much about these religions.  If we take the time and look at them, we would see the similarities between our religions and others.  In fact, many times it could be said that we have more in common than we do differences.

    Knowledge is the cure for prejudice!

  • I’ll have to agree with pen_and_swords early statements that we are very tolerant in that we respect the property and rights (in general) of religions other than those of our personal beliefs. However, like he stated, it is often taken too far in that many step outside of different religions and claim that in the name of tolerance, we are all equally right. It’s a rather ludicrous statement as at their hearts, major religions are exceedingly different (in beliefs, not in a manner in which we cannot live in a civilized fasion). But oddly enough, Christianity is facing more and more intolerance in America as those against the traditionally conservative-style faith turn to political means to reject it.

  • perhaps..

  • Though we’re doing better than most countries, we could do better.

  • *whew*

    I agree with finalxvitor.

    amew

  • We totally are religiously tolerant. We certainly do not agree on everything and we certainly have debate and legal wrangling to get our best interests supported by laws. That is not intolerance that is democracy. If all the Baptists gathered in the southeast all the Buddhists gathered in the northeast etc. then we all went to war and would not allow other people to live there then that would be intolerant. 

  • Obviously I have to disagree with eeyore17026. Various religions have likeness much as Dems and Republicans have likenesses. They are both political parties, both are American groups, both have certain regulations they (are supposed to) live by. But few would compare the groups to think they are largely similar (unless you start adding Communist parties, etc). Comparing religions reveals that there are vast differences outside of some that agree on showing compassion and love. Christianity for instance is a rare monotheistic religion (like Muslims and Jews) while many eastern religions don’t even believe in a creator, but rather an existance to the universe. The core of them are radically different. But again, not such that we can’t co-exist.

  • Nein.

  • Much more than in other places, but not half as much as we should be. It depresses me a lot.

  • HAHAHAHAHAHA

    Oh wait, that wasn’t a joke? The whole “religious tolerance” thing. Nah, at least not this regime.

  • yep. as you said, if we were in the middle of a civil war it’d probobly be different. a fairly stable government helps a lot

  • I’m sick of many of the Christian people here saying that we’re religiously intolerant. . . but that’s pure BS. They’re the worst. I’m Christian, too. But I know a lot of religious intolerance comes from Christians. A helluva lot.

  • comared to the world in general, yes.

    compared to the western world, mostly.

    compared to where we should be, not so much.

  • I have a pic., but I can’t get it to upload.

    Its a pic of a Festivus Pole. Its off a TV show if you know about it, good. If not…well, I really don’t have time too explain it in detail. Its basicly a made-up holidy: Festivus.

    My Dad’s work-place had everything for every religion in the ‘foyer’. So one of his co-workers put a pole on a stand and put it with everything else, with a peice of paper explaining the ‘holiday’.

    The company never removed it. lol

    Everyone ‘has’ to be politically correct. In fear of being sued for some.

    gtg

    Amew

  • well, compared to what? we are just as guilty of being intolerant as anyone else in reality, but compared to others we may be better or worse. i think we could be a lot better regardless, though, especially catholics and protestants.

  • not as much as we should be, some people are…but i think a majority of the people here could be a bit more tolerant

  • Definitely more so than most of the world.

    But we can do better.

  • Is religious intolerance limited to bombing other churches?  What does it mean to be religiously tolerant or intolerant?

    To me, things like assuming that EVERY child needs to learn about (christian) creationism in school (as opposed to evolution, or the creation stories of the countless other religions in the world and within our country, is being religiously intolerant. 

    Then again, I think we’re religious ignorant more than anything.  The underlying assumption is that America is Christian.  Whatever the heck that means.  We don’t even have that much diversity uin our country’s religious beliefs– we certainly don’t acknowlegde much diversity in our nation’s religious beliefs.  And there’s still the inherent view that,. even  if you pretend to be tolerant of another’s religious beliefs, they still are going to go to Hell b/c they don’t believe the same way you do.

  • Sure as long as you’re not a believer in Jesus.

  • I think we are, in general.  I also think, though, that there’s a difference between religious tolerance and holding your beliefs in a vacuum.  I think some people are way too suspicious of religious influence on one’s politics, as if an opinion automatically less valid because it stems from religious faith.  I think when we make policy, we need to consider our religious/philosophical diversity–but I think for the most part that is what we do. 

  • Religously motivated violence is rare in this country, but I think plenty of Americans have quiet prejudices against some religions.

  • for the most part, yes.

  • i don’t believe in being religiously tolerant really… there’s no way that we can all be right… someone is right… i think that a better way to look it is to respect each person and respect their right to believe what they want… which does not mean that i will not try to share my faith with them, because i know what i believe is right and i want to share that with others… 

    I actually agree a lot with what FINALxVICTOR had to say… I am a Christian and i feel that others have not been tolerant in reference to my religion… 

  • Yeah… we haven’t gone methodist bombing in forever! *starts building bomb*

    But seriously. We’re pretty good about it I think. Besides christians being treated like cavemen I mean. We get made fun of more then anyone else… and catholics are like the second class christians. Oh well…

  • It soley depends on the person.  The fact that I just had someone in the xanga community tell me my opinion doesn’t matter because I am not a Christian would prove that no, some Americans are very INtolerant.

    Also…the fact that homosexuals are not allowed to marry in this country because of a 2000 year old book says something about this country.  Because obviously we only have one religion in the US.  *sarcasm*

    But it depends on the person.  There are lots of tolerant people, and unfortunately many intolerant ones.

  • not very, but more than some.  still less than others.

  • Dan, my answer to that question is simple….”Hell No”….this country is full of people who love to strangle others with their religion…and I for one am sick of it.

    Candy XO

  • No.

  • I do not believe we are tolerant of religion anymore, especially when it comes to christianity. For example a stone carving of the ten commandments are banned from a courthouse yet the head of the greek goddess Athena is allowed to hang on the front pillar that you see as you walk in the building. So no i do not think the majority of America is tolerant of different kind of religions, especially Christianity.

  • Moreso than ever before in our history.

  • America is very tolerant and even accepting of various religions, except for one. that would be Christianity. strange how we have totally disowned the faith that our country was founded on. that shows you what political correctness can do. and it also shows you the massive damage that liberal america has done to itself. its sad, if you ask me.

  • On the surface we are, but many people still frown upon others who do not attend a Christian church. It’s better on the coast, here in Texas, I get weird looks when I go grocery shopping on Sunday morning.

  • Seems to me like we have everyone bending over backwards trying not to piss someone off for fear of a lawsuit.

    If that is tolerance, then so be it.

  • We’re only tolerant towards other Christian denomonations. Other religions are a whole other issue.

  • No.  Rather than blowing things up, we sue others and advance legislation against actions that we dislike.  Rather than promoting tolerance for all, we silence everyone so that no one will be offended by another’s beliefs.  We are just as intolerant, we just fight with words and sanctions rather than bombs.  Just as you hear of bombers in the middle east on the news, you also hear about this and such a pointless trial, and that parade through the streets; this mother angry with the school board, and that group demanding rights that they probably have no real right to.

    Atleast in other places they have a firm stance on what they are intolerant against.  In the United States we try to obliterate all trace of religion so as not to offend anyone, thus leaving atheism.  Without realizing it, we have chosen a religion, that being the absence of religion, and fight against all others.  Atleast elsewhere the people are not so blinded as to deny that they fight for their religion.

    I suppose it is because human nature causes one to hate any opinion that doesn’t agree with his or her own.  With maturity one can learn to quell the urge to defend his own opinion and exalt is above others, but it seems that most do not reach this basic level of maturity.

    Environment does not obliterate this egotism from its residents, it only influences the way it is expressed.

  • Teenagers and kids aren’t, but most adults are.

  • No.

  • Hey Dan, this isnt really answering the topic but, one of my friends lost her father recently and shes going through a lot of emotional trauma. If you can spare the time, can you please pray for her or maybe drop by and leave her a note of encouragement? shes only in her sophomore year in highschool. her xanga is Chibimaru_98. Thanks and God bless

  • I notice that many people have replied saying that religious tolerance abounds in our country.  Curiously, these tend to be the non-Christians (from what little I have read).  The Christians think that we are horribly intolerant.  I think this is because Christians see their predominance slipping away from them.  The non-Christians, seeing this power slipping away, call this tolerance for all.  It seems that to many the absence of religion is equal to religious tolerance.  Which is something that I really have to disagree with.  Sure, no one is arguing against your faith or lack there of, but is that because others accept your beliefs? Or is it because they are no longer allowed to say anything against you without fear of some kind of punishment, whether it be illegal or just taboo?  I believe that the answer is unfortunately the latter, even if it is only so mild yet as just a social no-no, except in the cases of government and education, where practicing your religion can be a crime.

    I also notice mostly comments on religion, which is also what I have focused on.  But there is a great uproar about other issues too.  I think we should ask why it is that every reply that I have read so far that made a reference to a specific brand of intolerance has been about religion.

  • I think that we are tolerant and thats a good thing. If we were like the Middle East then everybody would be at each other’s throats all the time. Plus, our country was founded on religious grounds such as religious liberty, etc. So if we took away the tolerance, then we take away the fundamental principle by which our country was founded.

  • no, we’re not, and for you Dan, I would travel to babysit.

  • The answer is no.

  • If a civil war were to break out it would be a class war, not a religious based war. At least thats how it would happen in major cities across the north.
    Southern states I’m not to sure about.

  • No. And what’s worse, is that a lot of Americans will tell you they are when every other word they say and action they make speaks differently. As an athiest, I could care less what religion anyone else belongs to. All I ask in return is respect and tolerance and I find that not to be the case I’d say definitely more than half the time.

  • Dan, i honestly laughed out loud when i read you asserting your manhood! Michelle is a has been…its all good though…take care bro! thanks for the belly laugh…  :)

  • mmmm, i think americans should be less tolerant and more accepting. tolerance to me sounds like you really don’t get it and you dislike it but you’ll deal, whereas acceptance sounds like you get it, you may or may not agree, but you’re fine with it. i think the backlash against christians is that a lot of them try to do too much! it’s like, lay off. what if my kid doesn’t wanna pray in school? are you gonna force that on them because you believe that christ is truth? seriously, not everyone believes that and i think it’s invasive, rude, and disrespectful when you try to impose that on someone else, regardless if it’s religion or political beliefs or whatever.

    and as far as determining whether terrorist acts are racial or religious, i don’t think you can separate the two. i mean, they are two different concepts, but when it comes down to it, they both play significant roles.

  • We are better than most countries and are much more tollerant than we were when the country was founded.

  • In my comment, I meant to say “I”m sick of a lot of Christians saying that we’re religiously TOLERENT. Sorry.

    I have more to argue. Christians not only argue against other religions (half the time in other denominations) and other views.  My favorite example of intolerance to views would be the fact that a lot of Christans are anti-abortion, calling it murder, but are pro death sentence . . but isn’t that murder?

    My ex broke up with me because, and I quote “You’re catholic.” I asked him why. “Catholics aren’t Christian.” That had to be the most insensitive stupid thing ever. If Christians can’t even be tolerant of someone of their own religion, how can we expect them to be tolerant of others? I never had my Hindu friend tell me to convert because Christianity was Bullshit. But I have had my other Christian friends try and convert her.

    I’m sorry if I make no sense or piss people off. I don’t care. Religious intolerance as a whole just pisses me off.

    And demeaning Christmas kinda pisses me off, too. In a sense. It’s rather confusing.

    Ah, how I miss the simple days. . .

  • Compared to other countries…yes.. I think our country as a whole is doing alright, but there are certain sects of religious groups that are still very intolerant…

    You have to walk a fine line between believing you’re right and having respect for others beliefs. It’s a hard line to follow… most people are a little biased towards one side or the other.

  • I think overall this country is pretty religiously tolerant, though there are a few bad apples in the crowd (of varying persuasions). I have seen a lot of people say that they didn’t think this country is tolerant to christians. People need to keep in mind that the majority of Americans identify themselves as Christian (Around 80% I believe). It does bother me that Christians often feel like they are an oppressed minority (okay I recognize that Christianity isn’t really one monolithic group, there are numerous groups within that heading). It is okay to share your religious beliefs with other people no matter what denomination you are from, it is the expectation that everyone should and must accept your point of view that is bothersome (again, both sides are guilty of this).

  • for the most part yes we are but there is still those few who just love to bash on others

  • More tolerant. Yeah, but there are many cases of intolerances but on an indidvidual level.

  • Yes to everyone, but the Christians. People don’t realize this country was founded on Christian principles and the way I figure it if I have to tolerate you, you sure as heck better tolerate me. I will not hate someone just because they believe in something different then me, but the second they start to inhibit my religion there will be hell to pay. I think Christians have put up with political correctness too much. I say leave us alone and we’ll repay the courtesy

  • Perhaps not violently so…but when was the last time you saw a strong believer on ABC (or other major network)?

  • I have been reading your site for a while, and when first finding it, was glad because it was among the few thoughtful ones I had so far seen on xanga. For this particular question, I think that for an American to speculate that Iraq’s problems are “racial/ethnic” rather than religious is a little presumptuous, especially since the culture and country are so different from our own. I have been taking a really fascinating course on Islam (which is a religion, not a terrorist doctrine), and just reading all these articles and scholarly publications about the misconceptions keeping the West and the Middle East so far apart has opened my eyes to the fact that not only should American (or any single country’s news) news be taken with a grain of salt, but also one has to be aware of one’s own biases.

    Do I consider the United States to be religiously tolerant? To my own experience, yes, I think that religious freedom is a right that is constantly guarded here; however, I do wonder if discrimination of Muslim communities occurs to the point of infringing upon their right to religious freedom. My own experience is limited, though. You stated your question almost as if religious tolerance was something that made our country a better country than a religiously singular country. Although I am very much aware and appreciative of the freedoms this country provides, as I said before, I think one has to be aware of one’s own bias and consider the scenerio where having just one or a few religions, and these continously pervading all parts of life, is considered integral to a person’s everyday routine and existence. This sort of system, as shown by the screaming headlines of major newspapers every day, often produces clashes between religions or religious sects. However, who are we to judge? We, as you said, argue different positions – however, what you didn’t mention were the instances when these arguments take on a violent dimension. After 9/11, mosques were sabotaged – much due to the misconception that all Muslims are terrorists. I just read the other day in Newsweek about how there have recently been a series of church arsons in the South – the intent nor the identity of the arsonists, according the article, are still unknown. I have known atheist friends of mine to get particularly belligerent about the “stupidity” of religion – they do not do anything physical, but with the words and expressions they use, they might as well slap me in the face for my own beliefs.

    I’m sorry for using so much space on your comment section, but I feel very strongly about this topic and about the topic of misconceptions in general.

  • the bombing of eachothers religous sites is the result of a loss of tradition, back in the day….like way back in the medieval times, even up to the late 1800′s, the muslims lived their lives following traditions that were thousands of years old and were practiced before muhammed. one of those traditions is that warring tribes will not attack an oasis, they were neutral ground, but would not house an army, arms were given up before you entered the oasis. another is that the attacking of religous sites was forbidden, and would result in dishonorable death (hanging, not a death by sword or bullet, or weapon of any sorts). but now the traditions are dying, err, the following of the traditions is dying, like osama declarrin g jihad, according to tradition only a priest can declare jihad…..

  • thats a tricky question because it seems that some religious intolerant activity had a lot to do with race or ethnic relations. Sure, we don’t hear much about Catholics bombing Methodist, but Catholics did slaughter many many people. For example, Spaniard Catholics slaughtered many Filipinos as a way of “ethnic cleansing” by introducing them to Christianity. I don’t think we’re necessarily religiously tolerant. I think deep down, people aren’t. For example, the Muslims. Thanks to the media, they’ve depicted Muslims as a violent group, we may think of them as someone with Arab features. I don’t think the majority of the American population doesn’t really know much about other religions to be tolerant. Like i said, I think some Americans has jumped to the conclusion of Arabs being Muslim. When in fact, the radicals are just a really small population making a ruckus. I can easily say that some born-again Christians are “judgemental”, but group of christians that really practice are few and far between. I think we’re leaning towards now of being more intolerant.

  • Are we religiously tolerant as Americans?
    no, lets be frank…nobody, i mean nobody tolerant, everybody strongly belives in their own faith, so they want others to believe as well, i’m not saying their bad people, but they are not tolerant. albeit, some take it to an extreme. its very few who don’t.

    shit ill be honest..im not fukn tolerant. quck question, are you?

  • Yeah, in general. There will always be people who will hate or abuse other people because of their beliefs, I run into it a lot, mostly because it’s just different.

  • I think a slightest bit above half.

  • oh, and, on a note to BxR_POCKETrockets, i have to say that they are completly wrong. Its adults that are reacist, and kids are only racist against a race if the parent is. i know things like this from personal experience. Not one person in my american school is racist at me becuase im canadian. r because i dont follow religion.

  • Absalutaly f-ing not.

  • You all might like this website: this-land.com

    It’s all about following Christ in America, and while it is just getting off the ground, it already has some really interesting commentaries.

  • As a society I’d say we are tolerant but could go farther as many others have already commented. However, individual people – NO! Anyone heard of the idiot from Topeka Kansas who pickets anything that has to do with homosexuals? He even travels to picket funerals of homosexuals. It’s disgusting and revolting and he does it all in the name of his god. (I refuse to type or state his name and I turn off the news if they waste air time on anything he or his family does. 90 percent of his church followers are his children and their families. Their picture should be next to the dictionary definition of  INtolerance.)

  • Part of this “tolerance” may stem from the fact that we don’t hold our beliefs very seriously.

  • As Americans?  Yes.  As humans?  No.  Being an American is being an ideal, something that few of us can do.  Americans may accept all, but humans will always have little prejudices, no matter how small they may be.  It’s just something built into our imperfections.

  • Definitely not.

  • Ryc: LMAO.

  • I think Americans come off as being hugely intolerant of world religions. I think that this is because the loudest people who get their word out are usually the most extreme people, and it is these people who generally give the rest of the world the impression that we, as a country, are intolerant. I don’t believe that most people in this country are actually intolerant.

  • In general, yes (though, as a Muslim, I couldn’t say the same around 9/11). As for the differences between Sunni and Shia…they’re actually neither cultural nor racial, but entirely political right from the foundation of Islam.

  • idiots that say we arent, are well idiots…

    this nation has an amendment that says we practice freedom of religion..

    nowhere in this country do we persecute for religion, even wiccan or voodooism

    this country is the most religously tolerant in the world. thats why we have so many immigrants..duh…

  • and by the way, the fighting in iraq between sunnis and shiites is completely religous, not ethnical at all…

  • Absolutely not. :/

  • There hasn’t been prayer in schools for years. The backlash against Christians is caused by the fear that we’ll somehow force our ways and beliefs on you. I would like to know how? You non-believers in Christ are so blind and deaf that you don’t even realize that your fears are irrational.

    I would like to throw out a question:  Since prayer was taken out of the public schools in the 1960′s, has the morality of the country remained the same, gotten better, or gotten worse?  Does ignoring God really work?  I mean, sure, you get to do anything you want without stopping to wonder if it is right or wrong, because, what is right or wrong is decided by what it is you want to do. Morality is decided by the desires of those who don’t want to be told they are wrong. Thrill and a half. I just love that in large cities, now, crimes are committed and never found out if the victim gets scared and won’t tell.  Maybe simple crimes. Maybe soul-changing crimes. Maybe out-and-out abusive crimes.

    This tolerance level has reached, I believe, a level where most people are believing that what another person believes is none of their business, and neither is it their business if someone is victimized.

    Well, except for you real tolerant folks that despise Christians. If you don’t want your child praying, you’d get that wish even if we did have prayer in schools. You don’t want your child to trust Jesus Christ, you’ll get your wish, even if you took him to church every Sunday. You’ll get a child out of this situation who is just like yourself. He’ll be concerned not about right or wrong (because he doesn’t know any)  and he’ll just do what he wants. No telling how many people he will hurt. But then, he’s not praying or making you feel “guilty”, so it’s worth it.

    Some of you unbelievers in Christ need to get at least some maturity on you. Oh yeah. If you do that, you might “care” about what you say and do. Oh, well. Stay mean and ugly. But remember, you made the choice, and don’t blame it on somebody else for your decision.

  • Yes.

  • Not at all. The different types of Christianity may be more tolorant of each other, but most Christians aren’t tolorant of other religions..

  • Are you retarded?
    they’re killing us because we are not their religion.
    oh, and WE aren’t religiously open-minded?

  • (uuuh, im not Christian myself…)

  • Certain people from certain religions are tolerant on somethings sometimes.

  • Well, your example of American religious tolerance was from one Christian sect to another. We are fairly tolerant of different kinds of Christians, and no we don’t bomb mosques (most of the time). However, we still discriminate towards many Muslims. Individual incidents of violence and discrimination towards Muslims happen every day, like the time one of my friends was beaten up after school because he’s an Afghan Muslim. They told him to “go back to Iraq” and “Don’t bomb the school, Osama”.
    And Muslims aren’t the only people we discriminate against.
    However, one thing I love about America is that we really do try to make religious tolerance a goal. We might fall far short of it, but at least we’re trying pretty damn hard.

  • I also notice that a lot of people are focusing on christians, either defending them or the opposite. Thats the dumbest thing ever. Many christians are tolerant. Many are not. Many are obsessed. Many are not. And tolerence is there, against a remark made by someone else. like i am tolerant, i just cant tolerate pople blindly believing and never questioning.

  • Yes, I believe we are.

    (((((( GRANDMA HUGS ))))))
    Lori

  • We are not all tolerant. Just today I was forwarded an email that said any “non-believers” should leave the country, because ‘who cares about them?’

    Did we not come to this country for religious freedom in the first place? Its ridiculous.

  • Tolerance.  Now there is a loaded word.  The religious intolerance found in other parts of the world is plainly obvious.  In other words they are violently honest about their true thoughts on the subject.  Americans are, in general, polar opposites.  We will sit quietly and listen to someone else’s beliefs and then think to ourselves, “well that one is going to hell.”  Next, we try to sell our own denomination’s namby pamby diluted and polluted version of Christianity.  After they shrug and walk away we feel all superior and think again, “yep they’re goin to hell.”  In other words out intolerances are a lot more subtle, like the devil

  • Some people, to some extent.

    [ariana]

  • No. We drag religion and morals into legal issues, and we don’t understand most religons.

    Most types of Christianity and Judaism are now accepted in America and we accept them abroad, but we’re now becoming increasingly intolerant of Muslims- yes, there are extremists, but the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful, very nice people- and just don’t understand or represent other religions (being a pagan, being Buddhist, being Wiccan, etc.) and “close off” religions.

    Some people think you cannot be Christian if you’re a homosexual, you cannot be Muslim if you were born a Hispanic, etc. We close off religions due to other factors.

    These days, many religions are focusing more on excluding people than truly bringing people to their deity.

    -Julia

  • we claim to set a good to great example but we do not.

  • we are too religiously tolerant.

  • Typically, no. Most of us are so ignorant of other religions we couldn’t pull our heads out of our asses. I am trying to correct that problem for myself and my family right now, and it is hard. I wish we weren’t such bigots…

  • Tolerance schmolerance… 

  • I think we’re pretty tolerant.  To be honest, I’m not a Christian (I’m agnostic, I guess) and I believe that America focuses more on the Christian religion than anything else — we don’t say “Happy holidays,” we say “Merry Christmas,” and that pisses me off.  I hate that everything is focused on Christianity in the US — but at least we’re not completely intolerant and killing people because of their religion (er… often).

  • depends on the religion. I think we are less tolerant of the quote darker endquote religions such as wiccan and witchcraft. Other than that I think we’re fairly tolerant.

  • I think so.

  • I agree with the person who said not intolerant, but ignorant. I think this country is built upon Christian principles and beliefs. As a non-Christian, I think that’s fine but just don’t push your religion on me all the time or tell me that my religion is wrong and the only way to save myself from the fiery depths of Hell is to believe in Jesus. I’m not saying Christians are the only ones who are ignorant, I’m just as ignorant about other religons. But not intolerant. I have people asking me the stupidest things about my religion, but never would I ask something of others that could be seen as disrespectful to their religion. That’s just being ignorant and I think we as Americans are ignorant about many things.

  • US immigration arrested a Haitian follower of voodoo just because she had a severed head in her luggage.  That’s not very tolerant. 

  • i think Americans are very tolerant, but when the issue of religion is brought up, they just get very VERY VERY defensive.

  • Eh, not really.

  • While there are a lot of people here who are either defending Christianity or going against it, there are a lot more religious issues that goes on in America regarding other religions, but I notice that those other religions are not mentioned as much. Why are we specifially talking about Christians when it comes to America? Is that not a sterotype? Are we not a diverse nation?

    I think the Christians are always getting that bad reputation because Christians share their beliefs openly in America. All over the place: the Constitution, founding fathers were of the Christian faith, “Jesus is my homeboy,” Christmas (even though it’s worldwide), In God We Trust, etc. Christians have a right to express their religion, it’s the first amendment, is it not? It just so happens that Christians are appearantly the majority of America; just like how Vietnam consists of Buddhists and India of Hinduism. I don’t see a lot of other religions speaking out as much as Christians do in America, even though other religions also has a right to. So it’s only fair (and it’s the law of freedom of speech) that we respect what Christians and other religions have to say. No one said you have to agree, but it’s good to be polite and not blow each other up.

    People might be intolerant to Christians because they are tired of hearing about God and Jesus. Even though a lot of people are Christian, NOT everyone is. So Christians could only make references to their religions so far until someone non-Christian gets sick of hearing about it. I admit I get sick of hearing all these things about God and Jesus. But I don’t yell at someone to shut up about it, I just nod and give them my respect. I would think that that is an example of religious tolerance. And the question of whether America is tolerant or not, that’s up to how many people can respect other religions. I agree with a lot of people here, we COULD do better.

  • No, we are not.  We are just as intolerant as other people, we are just more covert about it in someways.
    Erika

  • No, we are not.  We are just as intolerant as other people, we are just more covert about it in someways.
    Erika

  • I think we are.

  • Yes, in comparision. Look at Palestine. They’re developing a special taxing system to tax Christians differently. Thank God we don’t live in Palestine.

    God Bless,
    Right Winger

  • I think the majority is… but there’s always zealots in every culture…..

  • I, for one, think its stupid to even worry about that sort of thing. Tolerance should even be a big deal. Those that sit around & complain about things being politically correct just want something to bitch about. “I don’t want to expose my children to such nonsense.” Think about it… Would you son/ daughter really mind? The Homosexual issue really wouldn’t be a big deal without the Generation X influence. I know alot of Homophobes out there that discriminate just because their parents do. The war between Christianity & Islam continues only because our fathers do it. Of course, I’m guilty of the same problem; I believe everything my Father says. Lucky for me he’s one of the most amazing & open people I know.

    “We don’t inheret the world from our fathers, we borrow it from our children.”
                                                                                                     -Native American Proverb.
    The very phrase of that proverb makes me emotional. I don’t really know what to do or how to express that emotion, but only because its a truth I can’t surpass with any hatred. I don’t understand why the upcoming youth can’t decide what’s what. They say we’re too young to know what we want, but maybe that’s a good thing; there’s no way to be biased. Just a thought.

    ~Stix

  • …not completely, but much more so than most other countries.

  • we are religiously tolerant as long as someone has a religion, because you wouldn’t believe the comments I have gotten for being an atheist.

    I would really appreciate if you could drop by and comment on my xanga.

    thanks,

    Gage

  • We are not tolerant enough. We ARE tolerant, but going part of the way, why stop there? The Hare Krishnas put it well – “God is too big for one religion”

    Liberal muzzling of Christianity is silly. But so is Christianity! Imagine, living your whole life for the most part without sin, but never hearing who this Jesus fellow was, and when you die you go to Hell anyway?

    Thats crazy man, just crazy! Thats no tolerant god, not in my opinion!

    You know, the subject that spurred your post was most illuminating. In the middle east, people kill each other not over religion, but ethnicites. America and the middle east are seriously at odds right now.

    I was told in Malaysia that Christians and Muslims live in close proximity but get along. Not tolerating, but perhaps accepting. As a pinko liberal scum, I believe that every viewpoint is 100% correct, to the person who holds it.

    So what do America and the middle east have in common?

    Bloody history and culture of violence perhaps? Im gonna have to ponder that for awhile and get back to you on it…

  • America tries… and fails.. we are eather TOO TOLERANT… or NOT TOLERANT ENOUGH…

    in other words we lose both ways.

    -Trev

  • Hi,

    FINALxVICTOR put it in an awesome way.  Liberals are offended because we believe that our “truth” is the only truth.  Paul said in Romans 14:5 that every man should be convinced in his own mind.  I believe in absolute truth.  If you are absolute, you have to take in account that you do not know everything, but you must follow your convictions.  Liberals don’t like the idea of a God leading them, but a god that fits their mold.  If God does not fit into their mold, they are hostile to Him and His followers, (1 John 3:13) because their selfish way of life is questioned by their own concience.  (John 3:19-21)

    “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

                                                           -Jesus Christ  (John 7:7)

    John Anthony

  • Sorry… I shouldn’t have laughed…at the very least I shouldn’t have laughed so hard… I KNOW for every bigoted, biased, holier than thou “Religious” Person I meet on and off line from the States there are a hundred more that are more tolerant….I believe there is more bombing or attacks there because they believe their religion is their life, worth more than their life as they’re here to pass the test to enter the gates of paradise…we tend to think more abstract about our religion, we are not prepared to die for it…for all the truly devote Christians (Yes Catholics are christians) We are not prepared to die/kill ourselves for it…Perhaps it’s because we believe suicide is a sin…..that may be the root…my thoughts…’til the next

  • As a whole, and for the most part, yes. Since, obviously, we can’t be jailed or anything for being a certain religion, that would make the United States a religiously tolerant country. Then there are the few cases of people not religiously tolerant. I remember a few years ago I met this guy and we became friends… but then he found out I was atheist and tried to convert me to Christianity. I told him no, and he told me that I was going to hell. We haven’t talked to each other since. However, if he were to kill me or something for not being Christian, that would not be allowed in this country (again… obviously). It really depends on what level of religious tolerance we are talking about. It would be impossible for everyone to just let everyone else practice their own religion and live in peace. That’s part of human nature. But the United States definately is religiously tolerant, especially if you compare it to all those third world countries out there…

  • I would say yes for the most part. The real tragedy is that there are so many Christians out there and very rarely do they all cooperate toward a common goal. Think about how many people in the WORLD are Chrisitans. If Christ, ONE MAN could change the world, think about what BILLIONS of Christians could do, especially if we were able to unite with our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters. Heck, every religion that believes in something greater, and believes in a greater good, the dignity of humankind, etc… THINK about that. It is AMAZING what could be done! All we need is enough people to stop and seriously ponder the question, “Hey, what the heck are we doing?!“

  • On top of that, I have to say.  I’m a hardcore Christian and I know that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven.  I’ve seen miracles in my life and it’s all because of Jesus.  I also believe that America was built on Christian beliefs.

    That being said, I also believe that our constitutional right to freedom of speach and freedom of religion gives anyone the right to worship how, who, or what they want.  Here in America, that’s our system.  I think that the way liberals have misinterpreted seperation of church and state has taken away from our constitutional rights.  They lack tolerance.

    Honestly though, even other religions outside of Christianity should be allowed to do what the constitution allows them to do.  Although I think that dangerous cults that use hate speech like, “your gonna hang from a tree,” should not be allowed to abuse their constitutional freedoms.

    God bless you all in the name of Jesus.

  • Look at Pat Robertson and others like him, then ask me that question again–with a straight face.

  • FINALxVICTOR put it in an awesome way.  Liberals are offended because we believe that our “truth” is the only truth.  Paul said in Romans 14:5 that every man should be convinced in his own mind.  I believe in absolute truth.  If you are absolute, you have to take in account that you do not know everything, but you must follow your convictions.  Liberals don’t like the idea of a God leading them, but a god that fits their mold.  If God does not fit into their mold, they are hostile to Him and His followers, (1 John 3:13) because their selfish way of life is questioned by their own concience.  (John 3:19-21)

    “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

                                                           -Jesus Christ  (John 7:7)

    John Anthon

    Right here is a fine example of intolerance.

    How dare you tell me, a liberal, what my idea of God is–you don’t know me.  You don’t know what I believe.

    Ignorant asshole.

  • If you go back and read through all the comments from previous entries… it’s very clear that the majority of the people who read this site are not tolerant to other religions or even other lifestyles. They’re always bringing up the bible as the be all end all to any and every issue you present, and they’re always shunning other people based on one characteristic out of thousands they possess (such as homosexuality to name a recent one).

    It’s purely ignorant for these same people to come and comment and say that yes, we are religiously tolerant. Who are they talking about? Not themselves.

  • Hmm, don’t get me started on this … we are “religiously tolerant” of basically every religion but Christianity. In fact, there’s a school in New York that has a special room for Muslim students to pray for three hours a day. If that’s not tolerant, I don’t know what is. But, of course, we should not have the word ‘God’ in anything, children should not be allowed to have a Bible in school and, sorry, we have to throw all those Christian morals that America was founded on out the window.

    The average liberal will tell you they’re religiously tolerant. Well, I see no reason why you should be tolerant of a religion that says you should kill people who don’t believe what you do *coughMuslimcough* and not be tolerant of a religion that teaches love and compassion.

    God bless,
    Shohna

  • No. I’ve had friends before that “drifted away” when they found out I was agnostic. There have been others, also, who have tried to convert me against my will. Every single one of my religious friends, even now, still eyes me warily when religion is brought up.

    Happy stuff, huh.

  • Wow.  FINALxVICTOR is upset.  Well, at least he seems to have a level head about it. *cough cough*

  • I am intollerant of intollerance! So where does that leave me? With another lesson to learn!

  • Sometimes things are hard to pathom…like a flightless bird, stripped of it’s freedom,A monosalabyic interlude in a anochronsistic mind?….

    Now that was Bullshit.

    Marc.

  • No of course we are not. I find it really sad that they are destroying these buildings. I would have to say give the host, Iraq, (we are the guest of Iraq) proper respect of their things even if there is a fight going on.

  • Well Of course I am religiously tollerant. I dont even have a religion.

  • psh. i lost my best friend in 6th grade cuz she wasn’t tolerate of buddhism.

    all my friends try to get me to convert.

    methodist, catholic, christianiy, etc. all the religions that branched off of christianity work well together.

    but when it comes to other religions. not so much. i know. =/

  • Hi Dan, hope your day is great.  I would like your input today about baby killers.  Does the punishment fit the crime?

    Donna

  • no, we are very religiously INtolerant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I think that we are religiously INtolerant. Christian divisions are more tolerant of each other than other groups. And the majority of religious groups (whether Jewish, Christian, etc.) are tolerant of each other to some degree. But the liberal government is making an effort to irradicate Christianity from the public scene.

  • People at my school often call each other “Jewish” as an insult…that could probably be worked on…but otherwise, yeah, we’re doing okay.

  • I completely agree with FINALxVICTOR

    every other religion in America is tolerated, except Christianity. children are allowed to say Muhamed, but not allowed to say “Christmas” because it’s offensive…we are taught to respect those who fight in Jihad(even though it was OUR ppl it killed), but we take down the Ten Commandments in public places. have we forgotten that WE ARE A CHRISTIAN NATION ? That we were FOUNDED by God-fearing Christians who actually weren’t afraid of offeneding ppl? How dare we teach in our public schools about other religions but leave out our own because it’s offensive to the minority.. How dare we respect those who assailed but spit in the faces of those Christians who gave our nation it’s birth.

    if this is what America has become…a land of hypocrits that fearfully respects the opposite of what it should, than I am ashamed to call myself an American.

  • honestly, i don’t really think so either. i don’t know, though. it was a long time ago (early 1840s?), but where i live in independence (near kansas city), the mormons once tried to settle. they became more successful in some ways than the locals, and the locals did not like it. they tarred and feathered the leader, burned their houses, and ran them out. until the 1980s a law was still on the books that it was legal to kill a mormon. even today people don’t like them a whole lot. funny thing is, they are still very successful…both wal-mart and coca-cola are owned by mormon families.

  • how many comments would you say you leave everyday?

  • as long as you’re christian

  • Have you ever heard of the fact that we live in the “Postmodernist” era?  That would explain the “religious tolerance” you were talking about. ; )

  • Wow, you haven’t posted thus far today.  Everything okay? 

  • We central pennsylvanians are extremely tolerant… to other christians.

    A recent local newspaper said reported over 40% of the respondents were opposed to letting their children date interracially.

    You can’t lump “Americans” into the same catagory since we’re so diverse and spread out, but on the whole we Americans aren’t that religiously tolerant, but we don’t take out our feelings violently. If we did, America would be worse than Iraq right now.

  • It’s difficult to generalize, but I suspect that USA Christians are, as a group, not tolerant enough of other religions, and far too tolerant of other Christians. For instance, last year I and my girlfriend of the time were at the zoo, sitting in the bleachers waiting for the dolphin show to start, and we saw below some people of Middle Eastern descent entering the pavilion. I clearly heard two men, a few rows behind us, sneering and calling them “towelheads.” I considered going back and saying something to them. Clearly they were an example of being intolerant; I wonder, sometimes, whether I was being too tolerant of them.

  • Hi Dan, Yes the good news is that he didn’t get the death penalty because he plea bargained so that leaves him at the mercy of those in prison that take care of baby killers and there are many.  You can do what you want but kill a baby or hurt a woman and your life is a living he** in there.  As for the 25 years for murdering his child, not enough but he will have to deal with it everyday and also be reminded of it.  I just can’t believe he has been to my house several times, I always knew  there was something about him that creeped me out, no I know.  You have a great day.

    Donna

  • I think what we have is political intolerance more than anything.  Because a lot of churches align themselves with the conservatives, we tend to label them as the ‘religious right’ and with liberals are now by default non-religious.  And then Chirstians and Athiests begin to stereotype each other.  Well, the reality is that not all christians are conservative, not all athiests are liberal…and not all muslims are terrorists, not all jews praise israel.  I think humans by nature are intolerant…and a few bad apples tend to cause us to stereotype…for example:

    Hi,

    FINALxVICTOR put it in an awesome way.  Liberals are offended because we believe that our “truth” is the only truth.  Paul said in Romans 14:5 that every man should be convinced in his own mind.  I believe in absolute truth.  If you are absolute, you have to take in account that you do not know everything, but you must follow your convictions.  Liberals don’t like the idea of a God leading them, but a god that fits their mold.  If God does not fit into their mold, they are hostile to Him and His followers, (1 John 3:13) because their selfish way of life is questioned by their own concience.  (John 3:19-21)

    “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

                                                           -Jesus Christ  (John 7:7)

    John Anthony

    This is the kind of comments that makes people say “See, this is why I hate you Christians.”  I don’t know if this was a joke or what, but it was ridiculous statement that causes nothing but trouble.  It’s the equivalent of point a finger and laughing and saying “haha you suckers are gonna burn in hell and I’m not, mwahahaha.”

  • i honestly think we’re only tolerant with similar religions… such as Judaism and Christianity… but it’s very hard for people to accept Hinduism, or Sikhism, or Wicca.

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  • Probably.

  • this is where it becomes a huge problem for me i have thought to my self trying to decipher ney sort out wether it truely is religious bias or or racism and to me in general it seems more racism in america then anything but in other places such as iraq,jerusalem,etc… it seems more religious based but mostly because those people lack one thing respect, respect for others , respect for themselves, respect for other religions,and respect for human and all other forms of life in general and that is why i think that people need to lighten up when it comes to religion

  • I think we are too tolerant in the fact that we try to suppress some religions.

    When I was attending high school I remember one day a teacher approached one of my Christian friends and told her that she had to put her Bible away and keep it at home. Later that month during Ramadan they provided a room for all the Muslims to go to so they could practice there religious beliefs. Does anyone see anything wrong with that picture?

    I’m not saying that Christianity is the one who is being suppressed. I believe there is an extent to where all religions are. I as a Christian believe the reason it appears that America is intolerant to the Christian faith is that we can’t keep quiet about it. If someone finds something that they perceive as true it is hard to stay quiet.

    As a Christian I believe I am not here to tell people they are wrong, that just drives people away . I’m here to tell people about my lord and savior. I’m not here to pretend that I am better than everyone, but to show people that I am a sinner just like everyone else. Now with that said I’ll continue on with my other point.

    I think some people are intolerant of other religions, and Christians are guilty of this too. Some people are ignorant of other religions thats why were intolerant. We know to little, and get scared when we are faced with someone of another religion.

    Also something that I’ve always wondered is what would our founding fathers think if they saw America today? Would they like what they see or do you think they would be upset at the change in America?

    Kristina

  • Why are people so ready to accuse and antagonize?

    Hmm, don’t get me started on this … we are “religiously tolerant” of basically every religion but Christianity. In fact, there’s a school in New York that has a special room for Muslim students to pray for three hours a day. If that’s not tolerant, I don’t know what is. But, of course, we should not have the word ‘God’ in anything, children should not be allowed to have a Bible in school and, sorry, we have to throw all those Christian morals that America was founded on out the window.

    The average liberal will tell you they’re religiously tolerant. Well, I see no reason why you should be tolerant of a religion that says you should kill people who don’t believe what you do *coughMuslimcough* and not be tolerant of a religion that teaches love and compassion.

    God bless,
    Shohna

    This sounds a lot like parents in the 50s who were threatened that Rock n Roll would corrupt the children.  Now, cmon, sure America is a little harsh toward Christianity these days, but to accuse Islam of being a violent religion?  It’s a lot closer to your own religion than you think Ms. Shohna…if Christianity teaches love and compassion, I think you need a review of the lesson.

    I am not Christian.  A lot of you Christians need to think before you speak/act.  What is it you are trying to accomplish?  Do you want us to share your view of life and God?  Then don’t antagonize us.  Lead thru example.  Live well, be good people, stop saying things that sound ignorant.  I have Christian friends who are great, and they know this.  They are great people, non-discriminating and non-imposing.  IF these were the only Christians I had contact with, then I might convert myself.  BUT I keep running into the not-so-nice ones who can only point out everyone’s faults.  I don’t think Jesus was able to convert people thru that method, and neither will you.

  • Americans are too ‘busy’ to care about what faith their neighbor believes in. In different parts of the world, religion is their main culture, in America, Brittney Spears represents American culture.  America is liberal, diverse, and too selfish.  It’s only in Boonsville, Nowhere  that you hear of churches being burned down and hate crime, etc.  Big things happen in little towns all across America.

  • We are not tolerant whatsoever.
    Simply because there aren’t as many religiously-driven crimes
    in America does not translate to a lack of intolerance…
    it means people here have been socialized to hide their
    intolerance, as it has become socially unacceptable to
    be hate-mongering anymore.
    Any religion that promotes itself and only itself as the “true”
    bearer of truth or knowledge will lead to schisms and turmoil.
    As John Locke himself declared in his famous Letter Concerning Toleration ,
    “Religion is perpetual war.”

  • As a whole? It is hard to tell. I only know a small bredth and scope of this world. I know both extremely intolerant people and overly tolerant people. I like to take the philosophy of sometimes agreeing to disagree. In this case no one is determined right or wrong. I except their beliefs as their own, and it has no impact on what I believe or hold strongly to.

  • When you ask that it depends on who you target the question to ie intellectuals would be, those less educated or more sheltered would not.

    I would say Americans in general have a less tolerant ‘reputation’ because of their policies and because satirical entertainment is such a big part of their image.

  • Prn_and_sword made a wonderful point: tolerance is NOT “You have different beliefs than I do, but we are both right”, it is “You have different beliefs than I do, but since you are a human being and deserve respect, I accept you. That doesn’t mean I aggree with you, and it certainly doesn’t mean I will take part in your traditions/lifestyle, but it means I will treat you with respect nonetheless.”

  • I think there is some work that can be done, but as long as our definitions are straight, and we are pursuing the proper tolerance, we will be on the right track.

  • >Where I am, you’re ok if ur a christian, them other faiths is just misguided, ‘n we’ll educate ‘em 1 at a time, lessen we can get em to a church revival, then we’ll get em to feelin’ that ‘ol spirit…….

  • FINALxVICTOR said it the best. Props to him!

  • That’s quite a generalized statement.  I think SOME people are quite tollerant and SOME people are quite intollerant, and SOME people are somewhere inbetween.  In the ministry I am involved in, we are multi denominational.  We have an ecumenical outreach group within the ministry to help us all learn about each other’s denominations.  However, some people are very very intollerant of other people’s denominations.  They will actually say, “Unless you are (fillintheblank) you cannot participate in communion at our church” or, “One day I’ll make you a good (fillintheblank).”  It depends on your personal walk with God, and where he has you on your journey.  I believe he would want all of us to be very tollerant of each other, especially within the denominations of Christianity, because we will not be in a segregated heaven. 

  • I think we as Americans are becoming more and more gullible, and shallow minded fools. It wouldn’t surprise me to see that sort of intolerance happen. However generally, we stick up for tolerance.

  • People in general are religiously intolerant. Except for those damn mermaids..if only they existed..

  • yea

  • considering that we don’t have fights in the streets about religion, or at least so rarely that when it does happen it is news, i think we are remarkably tolerant.  this should not come as a surprise when you consider that our country was populated by people who were seeking religious freedom – my own family came here with William Penn in the 1600s to practice the Quaker faith, free from the persecution they experienced in Anglican England.

    this doesn’t mean we don’t have divergent views, but the very fact that we can express them without dying is something that doesn’t exist everywhere.  in Indonesia there are riots where Christians sweep through Muslim neighborhoods and massacre citizens, and then the Moslems sweep right back and do the same.  sometimes it starts the other way round.  we don’t hear of it in the US because it is not news in Indonesia.  There are religious attacks in India > i think it was 2 years ago now > where an entire trainload of one religious group was burned to death by another religious group. THAT is intolerance.  sniping at each other because we are or are not one sort of Christian is just being ignorant.

  • sorry – i should also have said a case in point for religious tolerance is that in my group therapy we have a Hindu, a Roman Catholic, an Atheist, a Jew, and an Episcopalian.  religion, the afterlife, morality, all of those issues come up regularly, and everyone is fine with each other’s beliefs.  we even are the same way outside of group.  (how can you learn anything about other people with a closed mind? i don’t have to believe what they do, nor do they need to believe what i do)

  • Ultimately, those who inflict violence are much less tolerant than those who joke.

  • Not to be blunt but …. shiiiit ….

    That means no, I dont think so.  :)

  • Bittersunday, I said I did not trust your opinions on the Church, Christianity, Christians. I did not ever say that your opinions about other things was worthless. You have taken what I have said–all of it, in fact–and twisted it around. Which is why I don’t trust what your father said. Who knows what you told him. 

  • ok

  • Just to set the record straight on the southern church-burning; the congregants of the affected buildings are black, white, &c., so the churches were not racial targets. Thta’s just some good old fashioned Christian-hating.

  • This sounds a lot like parents in the 50s who were threatened that Rock n Roll would corrupt the children. Now, cmon, sure America is a little harsh toward Christianity these days, but to accuse Islam of being a violent religion? It’s a lot closer to your own religion than you think Ms. Shohna…

    Only someone who has never read the Koran would make such an ignorant statement. Muslims are commanded in 164 verses to kill or fight jihad against the infidels. The most war-like universal command in the Bible is to heap coals on the head of the enemy ….by being kind.

  • Hiya,

    im pretty much new and HIYA!

  • I think we’d like to think we are tolerant. And compared to many places we are. I would certainly say we are more tolerant then Darfur. But I do not think we are as tolerant as we could be. I do think it comes from ignorance. Personally I’d like to see religion taught in public school. But not just the Bible. If we teach religion we must teach at least the major religions, Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddist and Hinduism. I think for it to be an accurate class in religion it should also go into Wiccan and other pagan religions. I think it should cover Bahai’i as well. I wish I could name every religion and have it cover everything but that would take me a very long time as there are many many religions in the world. I doubt this class would go over well in such a predomently Christian society but it would be nice to be well educated. I think tolerance often comes about being well educated and thinking about all sides of the issue.

    As a non-Christian I feel Christians are less tolerant of me then they would be if I was Christian. When I ask about their religion and their religious practices they usually try to convert instead of just talking. When I say I don’t want to see the Ten Commandments in public places such as schools and courthouses they get defensive, telling me that this is a Christian nation. But that I don’t believe. Being a predominatly Christian nation does NOT make us a Christian nation. Even if all the founders were Christian, and I’m pretty sure that while most of them were they weren’t all, and even then they were different denominations of Christian, that doesn’t make us a Christian nation. The founders of the USA thought about why so many people had traveled across the Atlantic, for many it was to escape religious persecution. And the founders wanted each person to be able to practice their religion without fear of being thrown in jail, or killed. This doesn’t mean one can do whatever one likes and call it a religion and therefore okay. Some “religions” suggest human sacrifice as being okay or that everyone should commit suicide together to ascend to the heavens. I don’t think this is what the founders had in mind.

    I think the first step to better religious tolerance is to not push your choice of religion on others and to educate yourself on other religions. That’s one of my resolutions for the year, to read the books of “the people of the book,” the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an. Hopefully next year I will have the avaliable time for reading on other religions.

  • Holy Christ, no. If you arent Christian it’s automatically assumed that you’re a devil worshipping magic weilding sinner. At least thats how it seems to be in Jersey.

  • no where in the Bible does it tell us to be tolerant of other religions.  as some others have already mentioned (the second post by ‘pen and sword’), we can’t be tolerant of people in the sense that we’re both right, that’s a postmodern view of the world, and it’s not right, plus it condradicts itself…(but that’s a diff topic).  Christ does tell us to first love God, then love others… that is how we’re gonna win them to Christ, not by being tolerant of them. 

  • I believe we are very tolerant to other religions. i also believe that it is very difficult to find another society to compare to us (im sure there are similiar ones, im just not willing to put the thought into it right now).

    Granted, we have our church/temple/mosque burnings, and we also have of our tension between whites blacks hispanics/anyone i left out. But the reason we have this tension because we have different races in the first place.

    It isn’t fair to compare us to Denmark and say “look at them, they get along just fine.”

    the reason they dont have (as many) racial problems is because a mixture of Arabs, Turks and Kurds, Muslims make up only 3% of their entire population.

    im sure theres some errors in what i said(the numbers are correct), but im kind of in a hurry… sorry

  • “In other words, the people are bombing the religious sites of each other in order to attack each other. I have not read of a Catholic bombing a Methodist anytime recently.”

    Yes, there has not been any violent conflicts among Christian sects RECENTLY; history does however present such situations in the past. Recall the church’s split?

    Islam hasn’t had to deal with such problems in the past because there has been no significant reason to argue. But with the recent employment of the US Government in Iraq, uproar is stirred because Sunni’s fear significant Shia presence in the Government. This in itself is a complicated situation which I feel should be discussed at a later time. However, since you are using the US as a case study, the situation is somewhat similiar. US Presidents have all, save Kennedy (which provided a unique reaction), been Protestants.

    As far as religious tolerance goes, I genuinely believe the US was built to have such a value. When it comes to practice…I can’t say for sure it is. As a Muslim-American, I witness discrimination on different levels everyday. But does discrimination mean intolerance? I believe it does to some extent. Irregardless, I believe that more Americans are simply ignorant — leading to other problems of today such as intolerance.

  • This sounds a lot like parents in the 50s who were threatened that Rock n Roll would corrupt the children. Now, cmon, sure America is a little harsh toward Christianity these days, but to accuse Islam of being a violent religion? It’s a lot closer to your own religion than you think Ms. Shohna…

    Only someone who has never read the Koran would make such an ignorant statement. Muslims are commanded in 164 verses to kill or fight jihad against the infidels. The most war-like universal command in the Bible is to heap coals on the head of the enemy ….by being kind.

    Actually, never in the Qur’an does it say that, you ignorant prick.
    How about you read it for yourself, dumbass, before you go making
    halfassed arguments based on hearsay?
    The Qur’an is nearly identical to the Bible, it has Mary, Jesus, and Joseph
    in it, as well as other figures such as Abraham, Moses, et al.
    You ignorant prig, go read, then and only then may you pass judgment
    as to ‘what islam is all about.’
    Leaf through each Surah (chapter)…you’ll find nothing of the sort.

  • Resorting to an Ad Hominem so soon? You musy be muslim……

    Well, here’s a sampling of the Koran:

    [Surah 2.190] …fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you…[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.

    As opposed to the BIble: “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse” Romans 12:14

    More Koran:

    [Surah 3.165]…you [Muslims] had certainly afflicted (the unbelievers) with twice as much [in a Jihad battle]…[Surah 3.166]…when the two armies met ([the Battle of] Uhud)…[3.167]…Come, fight in Allah’s way, or defend yourselves…If we knew fighting, we would certainly have followed you…

    Surah 4.84 Fight then in Allah’s way…rouse the believers to ardor maybe Allah will restrain the fighting of those who disbelieve…

    Surah 5:33 The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned

    vs. in the Bible: “If the world hates you remember that it hated [Jesus] first” John 15:18

    [Surah 8.9]…I will assist you [in Jihad] with a thousand of the angels following one another [see K 008:012]. [8.10] …Allah only gave it as a good news and that your hearts might be at ease thereby; and victory is only from Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

    Vs. in the Bible “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:53-54

    Surah 9:29 “Fight those who do not believe in Allah…nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.”

    vs. in the Bible “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

    Surah 9:123 [9.123] “…fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness…”

    vs. in the Bible “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” Luke 6:27

    I could go on and on, but that’s compelling proof right there about the so-called religion of peace.

    I find it rather humorous that you talk about hearsay and yet never provided any references yourself.

    Now, I challenge you to present a similar series of verses sup[orting your own (poorly defined) thesis.

  • Not one bit. As an atheist, I can tell you it’s tough.

  • As long as there are fundamentalist evangelists telling the general public that anyone who doesn’t profess that Jesus Christ is their personal Lord and Savior is going straight to hell, religious tolerance will not be fully realized.

  • I don’t think we are…I mean if we were then why would we be stripping the ten commandments off of every building we could?  Why would it even bother us?

  • I think America does have a religious tolerance for some religions. But, there is less tolerance for Christianity, and that is because Christianity is not a tolerant religion. I think Americans are only open-minded to open-mindedness.

  • If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; … Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
                        — Deuteronomy, Chapter 17:2-3,5

    God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran,
    document.write (sBrowseQuranWordMarkerInPageTextBegDel)
    60-8
    document.write (sBrowseQuranWordMarkerInPageTextEndDel)
    )

    I’m not attacking Chirstianity, I’m simply responding to Paleocon_Libertarian’s post.  What are you trying to do?  Are you planting seeds of hatred?  Your post sounds like something a new-aged Muslim-hating Hitler would say…it has subtle hints that Islam must be eradicated if we are to survive.

    I had to do some reasearch to come up with the passages I’ve posted, but in my search I found some good points made by good people.  One pointed out that the Quran is simply like a gun, it depends on how you use it.  Much like the Bible.  Another pointed out that Muslims don’t memorize every verse in the Quran much like Christians don’t memorize every verse in the Bible.  They have an vague understanding of it, much like Christians have a vague understanding of the Bible.  Quoting Quran verses simply doesn’t give an accurate picture of the Islamic people.  Just like quoting the Bible doesn’t really define Chirstianity.  These quotes are simply microscopic pieces that are part of something gi-normous.

  • You are quoting from the Civil Law of Theocratic Israel as outlined in Deut.

    This law was given in the first covenant to Moses and to the theocracy of Israel. It is no longer applicable to the new-covenant church, as the church is not a government.

    Of the law there are three parts: Civil, Ceremonial, and Moral. The Civil Law ended with the destruction of Judah, the Ceremonial Law ended with the coming of Christ. The Moral Law stands for all time.

    As Paul says in Romans 6:14 “We are no longer under the law but under grace.”

    Now, as to my purpose in exposing the violent teachings of the Koran? They are manifold.
    1) To demonstrate the lies of the CAIR propaganda
    2) To show others some of the reasons why Muslims would attack the West so viciously and continuously
    3) To show that not all religions are equal, and that Islam is one of violence, hate, and chaos
    4) To hopefully wake some people to the dangerous enemy the West faces at the dawn of the 21st century/

    Now I don’t think we should outlaw Islam or anythign like that, just like neo-nazism is not agaisnt the law. But as with the neo-nazis, we should be watchful about the muslims, and by wary of their motives.

    The goal of Islam is world domination; since the appearance of the jihadists in the 7th century Islam has been spread by fire and sword; converts are few and far between.

    Another goal of Islam is to repalce natural, western, and English Common Law with the heavy-handed Sharia Law; this also must be stopped.

    In a free and open forum, I am confident Western thought will defeat that of Islam; but I would be daft to think the Islamic countries will provide a free and open forum.

    So, I think Islam should be carefully watched and monitored, as it has a ctrack record of coming into a country, spreading, and taking over.

  • But just as there are misguided Christians, there are misguided Muslims. If you speak to most American Muslims, it will be QUITE different than speaking to a foreign jihadist. Islam is a religion, and Muslims are people. Just because all Muslims practice Islam, does not mean they practice it the same way. You seem to have a very “us vs them” attitude about people…do you even see Muslims as people? You seem to think a couple quotes from the Quran are the only reason terrorists attack America…have you ever thought perhaps it is your kind of attitude that simply throws fuel onto a burning fire? Terrorists kill Americans…Americans kill Muslims in retaliation…more terrorist are recruited due to anti-American sentiments resuling from that attack, and the cycle repeats…

  • And apparently, we aren’t really that religiously tolerant in America as evident by this:
    “3) To show that not all religions are equal, and that Islam is one of violence, hate, and chaos”

  • I believe we’re better than most countries.

    However, no country can ever be fully “tolerant” because there will always be a select few narrow-minded, unaccepting people who will ruin it for everyone.

  • But just as there are misguided Christians, there are misguided Muslims. If you speak to most American Muslims, it will be QUITE different than speaking to a foreign jihadist.

    The American version of most religions is watered down and liberalized, unfortunately American Christianity has the same problem. That’s why I judge a religion by its creeds and religious texts. And when I look at the Koran, I see violence and hate. And my invitation to question the Bible still stands.

    Islam is a religion, and Muslims are people. Just because all Muslims practice Islam, does not mean they practice it the same way. You seem to have a very “us vs them” attitude about people…do you even see Muslims as people?

    Yes, I see muslims as people. People who have declared war on my country, my faith, and the cultural tradition I come from. I see fundamentalist muslims as very dangerous people.

    You seem to think a couple quotes from the Quran are the only reason terrorists attack America…have you ever thought perhaps it is your kind of attitude that simply throws fuel onto a burning fire? Terrorists kill Americans…Americans kill Muslims in retaliation…more terrorist are recruited due to anti-American sentiments resuling from that attack, and the cycle repeats…

    I notice in your cycle, the terrorists struck first. And they will strike again. Muslims hit us in 93 at the WTC, 98 at our emissaries, ’00 at the Cole, and in .01 at the WTC and Pentagon. Appeasement does not work, Neville.

    Not to mention the ruthless intifada vs. Israel is a proxy attack on us since it is warrantless aggressions vs. our allies.

  • Yes, I see muslims as people. People who have declared war on my country, my faith, and the cultural tradition I come from. I see fundamentalist muslims as very dangerous people.

    So by this logic, do athiests, buddhists, and liberals Christians become dangerous as well?  Anyone who does not share your beliefs is immediately a threat?  Oklahoma City, Uni-Bomber, those were non-Muslim terrorists…shall we now keep a close watch on white people?

    The American version of most religions is watered down and liberalized, unfortunately American Christianity has the same problem. That’s why I judge a religion by its creeds and religious texts.

    America is a place where there is a lot of exchange of ideas…your so-called “watered down” is really just people being open minded.  A lot of Christianity has evolved as time has time has passed..good thing too becuase we don’t want to start up another crusade.  Or do YOU?

    Yes, I agree that radical Islam IS a threat, but to say that any other version is invalid, you that does not mean that any other form of Islam is an invalid form of it.  Or does that mean any other form of Christianity (other than your own) is ALSO INVALID?

    And when I look at the Koran, I see violence and hate.

    That’s because you read with prejudice eyes.  Then you pass your prejudice judgement onto people whom you’ve never even met.  Someone else may read it and understand it differently.

  • So by this logic, do athiests, buddhists, and liberals Christians become dangerous as well? Anyone who does not share your beliefs is immediately a threat? Oklahoma City, Uni-Bomber, those were non-Muslim terrorists…shall we now keep a close watch on white people?

    atheists (for the most part), buddhists, and liberal Christians are not prone to violence, and therefore, because they challenge with words, must be met with words.
    McVeigh and Unabomber were statistical anomalies. Unfortunately, radical Islam is far more prevelant.

    America is a place where there is a lot of exchange of ideas…your so-called “watered down” is really just people being open minded.

    In fact so open-minded that their brains fell right out.

    A lot of Christianity has evolved as time has time has passed..good thing too becuase we don’t want to start up another crusade. Or do YOU?

    The crusades, first, did not turn sour untilo the infamous 4th crusade. However, because I do not believe the church has an earthly kingdom, I believe the only time the church should raise arms to overthroww a wholly evil government ala the Nazis.

    Yes, I agree that radical Islam IS a threat, but to say that any other version is invalid, you that does not mean that any other form of Islam is an invalid form of it. Or does that mean any other form of Christianity (other than your own) is ALSO INVALID?

    Most other forms of Christianity are apostate at best and heretical at worst; and yes, forms of Islam that do not follow the Koran literally, like forms of Christianity that shoot the Bible as full of holes as Swiss cheese, is hardly valid. It certainly is not the stick to measure Islam against.

    That’s because you read with prejudice eyes. Then you pass your prejudice judgement onto people whom you’ve never even met. Someone else may read it and understand it differently.

    Words have but one meaning. Just as there is one meaning ofor the Bible, so there is one meaning for the Koran; and any religion that does not follow its views literallty and to their full logical conclusion is hardly worthy of respect.

  • Words have but one meaning.

    I guess you don’t like poetry or puns.  Words can have an assortment of meanings, and are often times written so as to have irony and double meanings. 

    Just as there is one meaning ofor the Bible, so there is one meaning for the Koran; and any religion that does not follow its views literallty and to their full logical conclusion is hardly worthy of respect.

    The Bible has been transalted many times, and in translation, often a lot of meaning has been lost or transformed within the translation.  I’m not accusing the Bible of being wrong, but perhaps the Bible you are reading may not be…perfect.  The book may have captured the essence of the original, but perhaps reading it too literally might not be the best way to approach it.

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