"Anti-religious bigotry"

[Tobin S.]

I'm sure you've all seen that phrase a thousand times. Or maybe one of its variations "anti-Catholic bigotry" or "anti-Christian bigotry" depending on who you are arguing with about religion. To me, it's akin to someone calling you an anti-Stephen King fan bigot because you don't like his books. Yeah, just a tad bit over the top (I love The Green Mile, btw;)). But that's what all of the fuss is about, right? All this religion stuff is based on religious holy books, supposedly the words of gods. Scientists and historians have shown that there is very little evidence to support the Bible and the existence of Jesus. We're talking about a work of fiction. It's like picking up a Stephen King book and living your life by it. It isn't good for anything but killing time.....or maybe starting a fire depending on the level of your anti-Stephen King fan bigotry.

There are very few people in this world who I hate, and I don't hate anyone based on their religion unless they are trying to legislate it.

[trotsky]

1. It's their last refuge to declare their beliefs off-limits to analysis.

They can't burn us at the stake anymore, so they wield the PC club. This is the exact same method Muslims (and Christians) use to get anti-blasphemy laws passed, because such speech is supposedly "anti-religious bigotry." Never mind that blasphemy is attacking the god or holy object, not the believer itself.

[Warpy]

2. King's "Delores Claiborne" and "The Shawshank Redemption"

were also very good. I tend to like him if he's not writing horror fiction.

However, I do understand what you mean about the wailing and gnashing of teeth among believers at even the mildest criticism of their favorite fiction. I think they're so thin skinned because they, too, are secret doubters.

I've known practicing Christians and Muslims who were fine knowing I didn't believe a word of it. They were secure enough to realize it had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Unfortunately, it's extremely threatening to people who are trying to convince themselves that they have the "edge" that only blind faith, which they haven't been able to achieve, confers.

[lutherj]

3. I believe in evolution, but when someone mocks evolution I don't

accuse them of "anti-Darwinian bigotry." Rather, I'm simply mildly amused. If they really believed in their religion then it would be so self-evidently true that any criticism should cause only mild amusement.