Religion
In reply to the discussion: About respect [View all]BainsBane
(53,032 posts)I was raised to treat religion as a private matter. I do not believe it should play a role in politics, and I don't believe you have a right to criticize my private beliefs on faith, or lack thereof, any more than my sex life. So yes, what you describe would be an example of intolerance akin to fundamentalism, and that is on display in this group with some frequency. For some reason I can't begin to understand, some people cannot stand the fact that others might hold a thought that they don't approve of. I can't imagine what propels someone to think that way, but people do. Some of them are religious and some non-theists; both are intolerant and annoying. But then again. I don't know why anyone would willingly subject themselves to discussion with such people anyway.
You decided my use of the term fundamentalist applied to you, so I can only assume you know yourself best. That you then launched into a lengthy discussion in defense of intolerance suggests it is indeed apt. It is one thing to criticize a religious institution's public positions vis a vis the issues you mention, but to then assume a random person you might encounter holds those views because they don't immediately demonstrate contempt for people of faith says far more about your own prejudices than the targets of your scorn. You response implies it is not religious institutions that you seek to question but the inner workings of someone's mind that you are incensed you cannot control, while showing no desire to understand but merely pass judgment on to make yourself feel superior. That is the very essence of intolerance. Makes no difference to me what form or excuse the behavior takes, whether it's targeted at skin color, gender, sexuality, believers, or non-believers. it's all the same thing.
I'll leave now. I only happened on this discussion because it was on the new threads page, and I've been called in this group on juries enough to know I don't want to stay. You'll have to find someone else to take your frustrations on. There are people, for some reason I can't begin to fathom, willingly expose themselves to such things. I am not among them. You'll need to look elsewhere for your next target.