If you are satisfied with your own religion, why do you feel the need to criticize other religions ?
473084
I never criticize other religions. I think it's insulting to do that. I don't even discuss my religion unless someone asks about it. I believe that people have the right to practice any religion as long as they are not hurting others by doing so. I also believe that too many "religious" people are intolerant of what others believe.
759672
When atheist criticize they do it out of hurt because they were raised and some are forced into religion and sadly not the right one and they put on their focus on people and not God. They have never experienced him but yet they say he doesn't exist which is a easy cop out and a excuse to falsely antagonize believers. They are weak minded individuals on a destructive path trying to take others with them. Does this sound familiar? A Demonic entity is trying to do the same thing! Hmmmmmmm.............\n\nShalom
712877
Don't give up, I have found that your questions are very good and not one-sided. They make us think. I am a Christian and you give me things to think about. It actually helps me to be more open minded which I sometimes struggle with because I do see so much hate on here. I don't think it is the religion on its own. What society sees is only the bad side of religion and harps on that constantly. It doesn't show the good side at all.
343538
I follow my own religion, which is to learn and respect all the other religions.\n\ni.Because it is non official\nii.Because my parents do not follow it\niii.Because I truly believe on equality
438024
Good Question, although you got a little lost in your typing there. \n\nI have to agree with your premise though. All in all, I think, and remember this is just my opinion, that you're on the right track. I think it's how a person lives and treats him/her self and others, that really matters. \nIf God really wants everyone to be one religion or another, there has to be some wiggle room in the end for those who just didn't know the difference or who were simply confused over the enormity of it all. \nPersonally I'm a God fearing Agnostic. Meaning I believe in God, but I don't believe in any one specific religious view of God. I know my actions towards others is a reflection of Gods' plan and if I'm cruel then I'm doing evil. \nIf I help someone out of my own kindness then I'm doing God's work.\nI don't believe God watches each of us individually, that's why He gave us free will. \nWe as individuals must look inward to find peace, love and goodness. Each of us must reach that place to pull out the goodness and extend it to our neighbors.
730524
It is a personal choice and everyone has the right to take action independently. If somebody feel that the thoughts of another religion more comfortable and sensible, then he or she can do it, there is nothing wrong with that. However, it should not be with an aim for material benefit, to insult or to harm others. All of the religions teaches to respect the entire world. So, according to my view there is nothing wrong with it.
673305
You are right about this being an open forum to discuss all topics without judgement, and you are right to have your own religious beliefs. The only thing I can see is wrong is when there are a few people in general (not directed towards anybody on here) who impose their beliefs on someone else, trying to make them believe in something they don't want to believe in. Unfortunately, that happens a lot. It's one thing to listen and have an open mind, but if someone tries to change me in a way I don't feel comfortable with, then it's crossing the line. But that may be the reason why. I don't agree with bashing of any sort, though. Just be yourself and don't let the bashing bother you. It's your beliefs and if someone doesn't agree with them, it's not your problem or your fault.
1015081
When you are absolutly sure in what your personal beliefs are , you can find happiness . \nReligion is a "tool" that some opt to use.\nOthers do not need it as they are able to find inner peace.
128069
no, its wrong to judge people if they dont think like you do though. put your foot down in a nice way. tell them that you respect their religion but its just not for you.
950511
It is my belief that many Atheist have doubts about their belief and therefore have to bash religions in order to bolster their own weak belief in Atheism. Then some just find bashing religion fun as religious people find it fun to bash us. What difference does that make we are all just having fun. I am an Atheist but I am a strong believer in the US Constitution which gives freedom of religion. I think everyone should be free to practice their religion and believe as they please as long as it doesn't prevent others from practicing theirs. God bless kisses Betty.
488385
My religion is Wicca although I was born to Christianity.  After soul searching and research I decided the Wiccan path was the right one for me.  I do not expect others to believe as I do ... there is more than one path to personal enlightenment and it is not up to anyone to say one is definitely right and all others are wrong.\n\nYes war generally is caused by beliefs be they religious or not.. most fight for what they believe in regardless of fact or fiction.\n\nI justify my religion because it is right for me.  I do not ask others to join me on my path.  I deeply respect the natural world around me and I respect the people who reside on it even when I do not agree with their opinions.  Human beings are meant to be diverse.  Yes I practice the Craft and people may have their own opinions on that also.  All I ask is that I am allowed to worship in peace.\n\nBlessed Be
758431
I would take it as a compliment if someone were to insult me like that.  Just shows their jealousy and how insecure they are.  tsk tsk.  children.\n\nWhy do people lie about other people's religion?  Like saying totally idiot things like Muslims worship a moon god, beat their women, get 72 virgins, are all terrorists, yadda yadda yadda?  \n\nBecause they are morons.  Have fun picking on them.  I do.  mwa ha ha ha!!
716498
I dont hate you. As a matter a fact i dont get why someone didnt start another religion after you.
1122094
It is true that some are over-zealous.  I, like you, believe that the faiths of others are to be respected... after all most faiths aspire to the same thing--happiness. Many of the principles of my own faith I see in the faiths of others.\n\nWhile serving a mission in Madagascar and the surrounding islands for my Church, I had the opportunity to learn a lot of other people's faiths.  I am a Christian... or I'd like to think I am.  I'm not always as good as I should be, but I do try to emulate the example of Jesus Christ whom I revere as the Son of God.  While I was there, I taught many Christians who belonged to other denominations, I also taught some people who worshiped their ancestors, others who were Islamic and so forth.  While on the Island of Mauritius, my American missionary companion was threatened by a man who said that if any bombs were to drop on Iraq he would kill him... but the experiences that I remember and cherish the most were not those of the extremists, the fanatics or the zealots, but that of those who silently lived their religions.  \n\nThe media likes to capture the bizarre the strange, the amazing and the horrific tales that do not occur on a daily basis.  It is often for this reason that we hear more about the extremists and fanatics, but I believe that despite the negative influences of those who take their religion too far, the often common and silent influences of those who live out their religions and their lives as they know best, far outway those fanatics.\n\nI once taught a muslim, an old fellow, who has marked my life and taught me one of my greatest lessons.  He had heard the news of Iraq and of September 11th.  He was not a rich man, indeed he was rather poor.  He let my companion and I enter his home, where he blessed us.  He was kind man, and showed us his Qu'ran whose cover was worn a faded with use, and whose pages and become undone and needed binding.  It was evident that he lived his religion, and had no problem in hearing my companion and I chat with him of ours.  We listened to him as he eagerly shared with us his faith, and recounted his desire to go to Mecca, which he had just acheived.  When we presented him with a copy of the Book of Mormon, he wept with gratitude, as he considered a book a very great present, and that he value of this particular gift was substantial.  I really loved our "partage" and exchange that we had.  Of all the things he wanted us to know most was that not all muslims were extremists, and that the actions of a few should not be representative of the whole of Islam.  He gave us food and drink before we parted, and unfortunately I have not heard of him since, but I will always remember him, and when I think of muslims, if ever I find myself stereotyping the actions of a few for the whole, I will think of that old man, and not of the September 11th bombings.\n\nI believe that that story can be applied to all religions.  \n\nI greatly admire those who seek to share their faith with others, whether it be knocking on door after door or whether they share their faith through their examples of quiet living.  It is important to have standards, to have faith, to have dreams, hopes and aspirations, but we must be careful that when we share these things with others that we do not impose them on them.  We must invite, but never compel others to believe as we do.\n\n"And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." Ether 4:12
552541
I believe it comes from a lack of understanding others.  People tend to hate that which they cannot understand.  Combine that with spiritual insecurity and it leads them to try to convince others that their path is the only righteous way towards God.  People speaking of religious tolerance have it all wrong.  To say that you tolerate someone else's religion means that you have pasted judgment on them.  This is something only God can do.  In the end, each person would be a better off if they lead by example and found the place that best allows them to worship and work on their relationship with God.
107456
I am jealous of those people who know what they want to do with their lives and they go out and do it.  I am not jealous of anyone in particular b/c I like who I am, can't change what God made and I have things about myself that I find fascinating.  Honestly, when people are jealous of others, sorry to be so cliche, but it really does say something about how one feels about themselves.  The reason I say that is that if you were happy with yourself & had come to appreciate yourself, (flaws and all, and we all have them), then you wouldn't care so much & put so much emphasis on others & what they have that you don't.  If there is something you want to change, then go change it.  But don't model who you are after other people b/c you'll only disappoint yourself.  You can't be someone else so why not enjoy who you are.  God doesn't make mistakes so don't think of yourself as one.
975325
For me, I am strong enough to realize that my fate is pretty much in my hands.  I feel good about making my own choices instead of having many of them dictated to me.  I also feel good about being an accepting person whereas many religious people are very intolerant of others that are different.  All living things are precious and any religion that tells me to judge others based on sexual preference etc. is horrendous.