Most tolerant religious sects???

[SammyBlue]

Some religions get it, alot don't. Which do you think is the one that has it mostly right?

I'm biased. I'm a reform Jew, so you know how I feel. But the Quakers had the right idea as well.

Neither recruits, neither is intolerant. . .in fact, the Quakers are non-violent and accept everyone.

Even if you're an atheist, which one do you think has the right idea?

[Psephos]

1. I cast my vote for Bahai and Universalists n/t

[Poll_Blind]

2. Three way tie for me: Jews, Buddhists, Unitarians

From my own experience anyway- those are the most tolerant religions. In my life experiences, anyway.

PB

[DetroitProle]

3. I had to vote Unitarians

But I'm an Episcopalian, and they can be a pretty good lot. At least the clergy. Just have to steer away from the old school monied Episcopalians. Even they're not so bad though. More like the , "with great power comes great responsibilities" crowd, rather than the "nuke poor people" new money fundy crowd.

[Maat]

4. I think that the following churches go way beyond tolerance ..

and are 'welcoming and affirming':

Unitarian-Universalist, Unity, Church of Religious Science, and United Church of Christ (especially the ones designated as just).

I've never had any pressure to tithe from any one of them, and ALL couples and individuals are welcome.

[XemaSab]

6. Some individual Methodist churches are reconciling

which is the same as "welcome and affirming."

The church I went to had ALL kinds, gays, blacks, a woman in a wheelchair... this is in a small WHITE town in rural California.

[Maat]

21. Yep.

Two of my best buddies are Methodist ministers. They are big peaceniks, like myself. The speak of a big struggle within the Methodist church, and they are ministers in my very conservative area (so they tread a fine line).

I can only speak of their individual beliefs, which are quite progressive.

[Wetzelbill]

5. I'm all about tolerating religious sex... wait.... wrong thread, my bad nt

[Random_Australian]

7. The Witnessess! Did you

mean Jehovah's witnessess? Do you not know what they think of the Christadelfians ?
(Think their houses are possessed by the devil)
(Note: The Christadelfians (probly misspelt) are like most christians but they don't believe in the devil, in evil spirits, and they're very apathetic toward T.V. , seeing it as junk. It you are bothered by Jehovah's Witnessess, tell them you're a Christadelfian and they will mark your house with an X (on a map), and no Jehovah's witness will ever go near your house again. Interesting huh?)

[madeline_con]

9. Hallelujah, thanks for the info. eom

[Charlie Brown]

8. I've found that there are tolerant individuals from all denominations

In fact, some of the most tolerant, accepting people in the world I've met have been Mormons and Southern Baptists, and I'm certain that Roman Catholicism and Orthodox Judaism also have their share of progressives. Noticably missing from your list are wiccans and neo-pagans, whom from what I've observed are probably more accepting and tolerant as a group than even the Unitarians and Quakers.

The individual is a much greater guage of character than the label with which he/she worships.

[Solon]

12. I voted other, Wiccans and Pagans specifically...

though your argument is true, as far as it goes for individuals. When talking about institutions and organizations, that is a different story. Also, it matters as to WHAT they are tolerant too as well, technically the Catholic Church, and many other Christian Denominations are actually beginning to grasp onto what could be called the "Many Houses" theology, that all religions are towards the Glory of God even if theirs is "more correct", etc. But you couldn't say the same for their tolerance(or lack thereof) of GLBT or Women, however.

Hence my vote for Wiccans and Pagans in General.

[Withywindle]

13. Well, I'm a Wiccan and...

...I've known some pretty intolerant ones. But mostly ones new to the path who've had bad experiences with other religions.

It does depend on the individual and the sect, but yes, we should've been included. Mad props to the Unitarians, though. (Many Pagans ARE also Unitarians!)

[madeline_con]

10. Christianity.

But only if used as directed.

[MnFats]

11. we Episcopalians are very tolerant....

just formed a social justice committee at my church to fight the coming gay marriage ban/state constitution referendum....and our associate pastor is a lesbian!and a great friend.

Episcopalian churches are kind of Catholic lite...all the pageantry without the guilt, I like to say...

[davidinalameda]

14. we are

:)

I just started attending an Episcopal church in Oakland

in my newcomers' class, there are 4 other gay people-a lesbian couple and a gay couple

[PhilipShore]

15. The Jewish religions

In my research as a pacifist and with a degree in Asian Studies; I have researched most religions from Christian, to Muslim, Buddhist, Quaker, etc. and without doubt the Jewish religions are the most tolerant, open and liberal of all the worlds religions.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

16. Leading statement

"Some religions get it, a lot don't."

None "get it." It's nothing more than superstition.

[AlienGirl]

18. Whether or not you think there is any objective truth in spiritual beliefs

You must agree that there are religions that encourage acceptance of other people/faiths, and others that do not. In terms of establishing social norms and interpersonal ethics, some religions do "get it," and others, unfortunately, do not.

Tucker

[AlienGirl]

17. Reform Jews

Heck, every Shabbat our congregation recites the Aleynu with the phrase, "We celebrate our uniqueness *and that of others*."

On edit: and when several of our gay couples, after getting legally married in other states, stood on the bimah to light candles in celebration, they got a standing ovation.

Tucker

[Colorado Blue]

19. I'm Jewish and also Unitarian - they're both very open &

teach tolerance as primary values.

I started attending the Unitarian Church after my mom remarried, at about age 10. My step-father was the son of a Lutheran minister and had a Christian daughter - so our new family compromised:)

They actually taught pretty sophisticated comparative religion and theology in their Sunday schools - it was fascinating and instilled a life-long fascination with - and respect for - other cultures. And they were totally undogmatic, encouraged free-thinking, intellectual curiousity.*

This was also during a period of conflict within the US: the Civil Rights movement. The Unitarians and the Jews were both in the forefront. I was 10 in 1960 and remember well the strife.

We have come a long way since those days, but we still have far to go.

*I think the Buddhists embody many of these characteristics as well and I now study Buddhism too.

[beam me up scottie]

20. Any predatory religion

that claims they worship the one true god, and whose followers are expected to spread the word and/or convert others, is not tolerant, no matter how liberal its believers may be.

[Maat]

22. Now, BMUS!

I know you are not speaking about Unitarian-Universalists, Religious Scientists, members of Unity, Quakers, or the members of the United Church of Christ, for none of those members believe that there is only one true god, or that there is only one path. And none of them require members to go around attempting to spread the word or convert others.

In fact, many UUers consider themselves to be atheists.

You must be talking about members of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Latter-Day Saints or the Assembly of God.

;-)

Hi, my Friend!

[beam me up scottie]

23. Glad you got my meaning.

But you always do, don't you, friend?:hug:

And it's not just western religions, the "my god is the only god" philosophy is present in many others as well.

The first group you mention don't fit the bill, thankfully.

It's probably too much to hope for to think that all predatory religions would evolve into something similar, isn't it?


I hope you and yours are well, Maat.

[Maat]

24. We are well.

Hoping you and yours are well.

Fighting the good fight - I'm getting involved in Progressive Democrats of America, DFA (been involved in that for a couple of years - Democracy for America), and the local campaign of the Democrat running for Congress in my district.

AND .. we have formed locally a group of women who are both progressive and spiritual (we call it our Circle). Hopefully, we are all sufficiently networked.

I contribute monthly to the national Americans United for Separation of Church and State, working alongside my favorite atheist friends AND my liberal-believer friends.

I enjoy researching the religious right, SO I agree wholeheartedly with the point you made - about the danger of this absolutist philosophy.

Those religions/orgs will NEVER become less predatory, because I don't feel that they are as much religions as raw vehicles for power. Example (case-in-point)(the rhetoric, or commentary, of Rev. Al Mohler, the prominent "theologian"/columnist/blogger for the Southern Baptist Convention has become very DISTURBING lately):

**Quote**
Nevertheless, Longman argues that the return of patriarchy is almost assured, given the social crisis that will be produced by a catastrophic fall in birthrates.
"Patriarchy does not simply mean that men rule," Longman explains. "Indeed, it is a particular value system that not only requires men to marry but to marry a woman of proper station. It competes with many other male visions of the good life, and for that reason alone is prone to come in cycles."
http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2006-03-01
**Endquote**

AND ...

**Quote**
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/3/3/144353/7101


From Albert Mohler we get the usual triumphalist attitude we find with the more politically inclined Christian Right leaders. Challies reports:
Right here, taking place, in these days and these hours, is one of the most important events that can take place. It is a deeply subversive activity. If the world really understood what we are plotting, they would hit us with everything they have. Our ambition is total world domination. Not militarily, but evangelistically for the cause of the glory of Christ. And yet we need to admit that there are some within the institutional church that are equally uncomfortable with this. We are talking about things that they have not thought about for a long time. The plan for the recovery of the church of God has only one plan: the preaching of the Word of God.
**Endquote**


BMUS, take care, My Friend!
:hug:

[beam me up scottie]

25. Thank you for spreading the word but holy crap, where is the OUTRAGE?

The misogyny inherent in that first quote is downright criminal.

I'm going to post a link to that site in a certain GD thread, some people need an illustration of what you and other people of faith are doing to help the cause.

thanks

[Maat]

26. Where is the outrage indeed!

I'll keep hammering away at educating people about the Religious Hardright until my last breath.

[beam me up scottie]

27. When members of the Taliban were interviewed

before 9/11 when almost nobody here paid attention, they used the same "reasoning" for their takeover.

They convinced people that they were doing it for their own good, especially focusing on the women, who needed "protection" from western values.

I remember reading the interviews from the people who witnessed what was going on, it was horrible beyond belief.

The women who protested were silenced by their "protectors".


To say it can't happen here is to dismiss the American Taliban.

Just ask the women of Afghanistan how that worked out for them.

[Maat]

28. Great point.

It sure scares me!

A toast to getting some sleep tonight, and continuing the good fight tomorrow!

:toast: