Why do people judge an entire religon by what a few people do? I am a very strong Christian, but i don't remember bombing an abortion center or being part of an inquisition. Is it necessisary to judge a mass amount of people for what a few did? this goes for muslims too. Are all muslims terrorists because the WTC was bombed by a few extremists? It makes me ill when i confront monsters and persicutors like that. I just wanna know if anyone here understands what i mean. Am i alone in this world?

No I agree with you Atheist are always viewed as valueless and moral-less , people always seem to revert to stereotypes if they want to prove their point of views.

I friggin agree with you. Why the whole world just take one religion a violent one when 3-5 people of them did something wrong? Lets say somebody is a christian and he kills somebody and he's just sent to jail for a couple of years while on the other hand a muslim kills somebody and he's sent to jail and that man's religion is taken as a violent one. what the hell?? back in the old times, romans who were jews came and took over a village, killed some villagers perhaps and heck, they take jews as evil ones. I dont think so. They did it for konquest for the roman empire ! not religion! I think its really stupid for one person to think one religion is bad just because he did something wrong but he didnt do it for his religion, maybe some personal stuff. When the 9/11 happened, they started chasing after Osama who is a muslim but he never ever did it for his religion because there was never anything about killing millions of people is a duty to serve God or a religion. There was never anything like that in every religion in the world.

I have a few atheist friends at school, and they are not bad. Thats proof not all of a single religon/belief system is bad.

This happens no matter what the base subject is. I'm an Englishman and a football fan. As soon as I say that to people (more-so Europeans) they instantly think I'm a hooligan because of all the trouble the English used to get into when going to games. The truth is I never used to go to any games because of all the violence that was waged by a minority group of so-called football fans. So I can understand how you feel.
What gets me about your particular scenario is, religion is supposed to be about peaceful existence, about teaching love and respect and living in harmony with each other. This theme runs through most, if not all, religions. Yet religious violence has been with us for, quite literally, thousands of years. This tells me that, either, religious followers never actually listen to their leaders or the teachings of their religion, or religion, as a whole, 'is' violent.
Either way, something needs addressing. If religion is still the cause of so much death and destruction now, after thousands of years (and I'm not talking about Bin Laden and Al Kieda (sp) now, I'm talking about things like Beirut, Lebanon, even Ireland where Catholics and Protestants are still fighting each other and throwing stones at each other for walking down the wrong street) then it's time to wonder if religion even has a part to play in a civilized world.

*Removed post content*

Do not attack others personally. This is my final general warning. Next time I will issue formal warnings.

that's not right. people believe that one religion is evil and violent but its not true that it is.

Obviously, you have no idea what the Bible actually teaches about what God expects of Christians. You may have read a Bible, but obviously you had a well-built bias by the time you did, or you really didn't study it.

exactly, and this stereotype seems to be the only one that is excepted by most people. if you believe one stereotype then you might as well believe them all.

hey everybody did you know white people are racist? yeah they have these groups who dress up like ghost and some shave their heads and tattoo nazi crap on them. did you also know that black people are gang bangers? they have these nieghborhoods where they go around and shoot each other. did you know italians are in the mafia? yeah it's been going on forever, a criminal group that controls everthing illegal in the u.s. did you know mexicans are all illegal? yeah they just walk over here from mexico.

There is only ONE world wide religion that financially supports terrorism and that is Islam.

You cannot be a moslim without giving money to the mosque.
You cannot give money to the mosque without it going to Mecca.
The money gathered in Mecca is given to the world wide terrorist organization The Brotherhood of Islam.

How you personally feel about it does not matter.
This is reality. This is fact.

to this thrrad's host

reread your little rant and youll find you answered your own question.

where did you get this info from??

vast amounts of the money collected in mecca is given to charitys is it not?

all religions demonize others. it's a way of making themselves feel superior. the I'm right and your not childs game.

when God could care less.

I guess all them christians/catholics sending money for the fighting cause in Ireland is ok?

the invasion of Iraq can be concidered terrorism by Bush., since there was no reason for it and it broke national and international law.

Reagan and the cia made bin laden , trained and financed him in Afghanistan and he was a terrorist then too.

How about the bombing of abortion clinics ?
data for the past 16 years
http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_viol.htm

how about this ? When Donald Rumsfeld was Secretary working for Gerald Ford in 1975,
Indonesian forces, trained by the U.S., backed by the U.S. and using
American weapons -- went into East Timor and slaughtered 600,000 Christians

and this ?

Church Attendance Rank
and Murder Rate

#1 Louisiana
twice the U.S. average

#2 U.S. Bible Belt
significantly higher than U.S. average

#3 United States
base line for comparison

#4 Britain
1/6 that of the United States

#5 France
1/7 that of the United States

#6 Australia
1/5 that of the United States

#7 Sweden
1/5 that of the United States

#8 Japan
1/5 that of the United States

http://www.cybercollege.com/fog33.htm

Sometimes i'm close to believing , that all religions are violent . It scares me .

So does that automaticaly make me violent because i'm religous?

People fail to understand that no matter what belief system you're in, there will always be a negative action that they do in the name of their religon as an excuse for conflict. but the real question is "If they do that, does that mean we all are like that?"

If you will judge an entire religon by what a few idiots do "in the name of their religon" then you have lost my respect. I do not enjoy being judged by the actions of other people. Its like your friend pulling the fire alarm in school and you getting blamed for it.

I think what you say can be defined as box thinking. A lazy and easy way to categorice humans, politics, religion, nations, social groups, minorityes ect and label them in a way or another.
Religion is a human creation, a primordial political entity to control and unite one or more people under one flag or symbol (cattolicism, hinduism, islam ect) as human creation it can fail, because it si subject to human interpretation. In other words since religion is kept by humans, and since humans are fallible, that make religions defacto as a unreilable political entity. Same thing can be said to all other human institutions.

So is religions good or evil? somebody will say...that's a dumb question; but since there is no such as dumb questions, only dumb answers . Ill say no...a political/religious entity cannot be evil, because it is a tool to help human beings. Religions/politics ect are not evil, but human are. Political entityes are prone to mistakes, but only because they are ruled (again) by men.
So in conclusion, all the good/evil stuff are only related to the individual.
Individuals can be misunderstood because of different culture or appearance (clothes, skin colors, sexual orientations ect) but again the misunderstanding is basically a failure in the objective ability of the interpreter.

Just IMO of course.

And then you are expected to apologize for your friends misbehavior or you must aid and quietly agree that it's okay pulling fire alarms .

I understand what you're saying and agree.
Personally, I think people who judge every member of a religion on the actions of certain individuals within the religion are weak thinkers.
However, I have no respect for any organized religions, regardless of their followers. The psychology that results in a felt need for religion, I find disgusting.

But that doesn't mean we can't get along.

I think Pastafarianism is the only true religion
Pastafarianism

I agree we should all respect each other and their own beliefs

You have just quoted the Quran ( Muslim holy scripture ) .

I know how you feel. Some people think that because some Wiccans practice "witchcraft" that we are evil and should be "burned at the stake"...lol.--FD

I know wicca is part of something called the "New Age Movement" wich is in the same category as pagan crafts and many other things, but that does not automatically make them bad people. as long as they dont cast a spell on me, its not my place to get involved lol.

It's the same no matter what you compare these things to. For example, say there's a guy who sleeps with a bunch of chicks. People will, where I live anyway, praise him and call him a "pimp". Whereas if there's a chick that sleeps with a bunch of guys, she's a "****" or a "whore". It makes no sense to me.

Human beings have been created with a violent nature. We have been killing each other since the first generation after Adam (AS). You can blame "god", the devil, or religion, but we humanbeings are responsible for our condition. The world is the way it is beacause of what we have chosen, in spite of religion. Violence is a reality of what we are.

No you're not alone. I'm Wiccan and have been attacked, both physically and verbally by SOME christians, but I am still friend with several christians. I think it is wrong to hold history against the current generations of people. I don't LIKE what happened during the burning times, but at the same time I know that it wasn't the fault of anyone who is alive today and therefore do not hold it agaisnt any christian today.

It is wrong to think that just because a small MINORITY group of christians or Muslims or any other religion are cruel and violent to hold a grudge against all people of that religion.

My appologies to you for those that verbally attacked you they are not true christians, true followers of Jesus are not allowed to judge. I am very close with a family that professes the Wican Faith, do I judge them for their beliefs? No! love will not let me and I receive the same consideration from them. That should be the fundemental approach to all things in life. In response to the originator of this thread, and some (not all) Christians will agree that Jesus brought a wonderful message with him when he came to this earth, it was mankind that screwed it up by turning it into religion.

Thank you for your support and understanding. You are a very good person, and its good to see that i am not judged from what the idiots in the past and a few idiots in the present do. A thousand thanks, and i wish i could describe how much of a good person you are for understanding. i promise that you will not be persicuted by me, and anyone who does persicute you for your beliefs in the name of theirs, is not a good example of that religon.

I was thinking about this last night as I was also thinking about violence of extremists in the religion of muslims.

Most from both religions are moderates. not the violent extremists. yet if the moderate doesn't stop the fringe they are just as guilty. yes I know there are different sects , but if those in the majority of these sects be it christian or muslim sit back and do nothing while those of their religions terrorize in any sense of the word they are just as guilty.

I had also posted about how our military is making this war out to be a crusade. pushing christianity and it's beliefs. while moderate christians may not agree doing nothing is as good as approving. the seperation of religion and government should always be held.

example --- if my brother was a thief and I did nothing , I'm just as guilty.

I think religions , especially christianity , judism and islamic aren't taking responsibility for what those in the same umbrella of belief are doing. they should stop thier own.

As-Salaam.
It is not thereligions themselves that are violent. Rather it is the people themselves. Take for example the extremist. Does Islam condone flying a plane into a building. NO! However people do not follow the guidence of God but rather that of a man. Radical scholars and the like. If you take an innocent life you at that point are no longer a Muslim. You have removed yourself from the fold of Islam altogether. Hittler was a Catholic yet he tried to kill a race of people. The Crusaders, the Burning Times, ect. are all works of Shaytan playing out his role to lead man astray. Whatever your religious beliefs, do your own homework and do not follow the advice of another fallible humanbeing.

Islam does seem to be a target for the media these days. However we cannot judge an entire religion for what a small percent do. My father - in - law believes all Muslims to be terrorist. That is crazy. There are at least 2.8 billion Muslims world wide and the numbers grow more each day. That would be a lot of terrorist. Also just because Hittler was a Christian does that make all Christians genocidal maniacs? NO! Islam is just very misunderstood in the west. We need not prejudge and see for ourselves

Religion itself is not violent. It's followers who misinterpret it are. Generally speaking Christianity is a peaceful religion (that being following the teachings of Jesus Christ), is those who probably never even read the bible who kill in the name of God that are violent, but yet forget about the teachings of Christ and even one of the 10 commandments. They kill in the name of God to morally tell themselves its okay.

I agree. IMHO religions are (among other things) provide a moral compass that steers us through life. Part of that morality is "leave the world a better place than you found it". Or maybe, at least, try to do no wrong. But these religions are currently giving violent political psychos the perfect excuse to justify cruelty and violence. Religions should speak out when someone does something sick in the name of faith.

Exactly. Another who understands.

Christianity, Islam are both peaceful religions, You see if these religions decided to come and join hands and come to common terms, you would find a lot of similarities between their fundamental beliefs etc. You get the odd bad apples, who give both religions bad names, but the media at the moment seem to have an agenda against islam.

For example, when terrorists like the 9-11 alleged hijackers did the damage in new york, all the media keeps parroting is, muslim terrorists or islamic terrorists etc, this embeds the word terrorist and muslim together in ones mind, if your ignorant of islam, you will always assume terrorism is assciated with this religion. You see the media would never generalise other terrorists with their religious beliefs, they should simple be called terrorists. The oklahoma bomber, was never called a christian terrorist or fundamentalist, neother were the irish ever generalised with this brush. You see there is a clear agenda by the media, to dirty the name of islam. What find wierd is this, since 9-11 or even straight after 9-11, with all the negative agenda the global media has about islam, over 40,000 american accepted islam after 9-11. Even though on a daily basis, islam is ridiculed or shown in a badlight in the media, people still seem attracted to the religion. even with all this negative media, its the fastest growing religion in the world and in the west especially. I find that really wierd, imagine if we did not have a hate campaign against it and showed it in its true light, this number would increase even more. What was a shock to me at first was, that over 60% of people converting to islam in the west are Women, and this religion is always shown onthe media to be subjicate its women. If this was true, then why are more women accepting it. Really i think its probably the most misunderstood religion in the world.

I believe no religion make anyone violent, most religions have peaceful and tolerating messages. The Klu Klux Klan is a christian group, the media would never call them christian extermists would they, and rightfully so, if applied the same fairness to Islam, then moderates could fight against extermists, but when your so called allies, be-little islam too, you leave moderates with their hands tied behind their backs and then ask them too change the extermists. By the hate media against islam, you feed the extermists fuel , by constantly showing islam in bad light , feed their paranoia.

I agree , Its like saying all whites or blacks or asians Ect, are murderers just beacause there are a few who kill, compared to millions who don't, Always a pleasure.

?????

i agree !!

it is not the religions, but those who seek power and rise to leadership positions in those religions that cause problems by twisting the belief system to attack those they hate and their followers obey them because they assume that if the person was not right, then they would not have risen to a position of leadership.

then you have those who hate, and are (insert religion here) in name only, and seek out someone to act as their leader that carries the same hatred and desire for violence.

from a christian perspective, we are given one major task, to tell the world the Good News, NO WHERE does it say to do anything other than to tell, speak, and go on. yes, there are guidelines for living, which include such things as helping everyone in need, but
the leaders are telling their respective denominations to only help those of the same denomination, or only to help other believers, the bigest problem is with the leaders, not the majority of believers themselves.

It is the leaders who twist things, and get enough people who agree with them to back them that are the true problem with all religions.

i think you are suffering from extremly severe misinformation.

* No muslim has to pay anything to the mosque . Muslims are asked to give to the poor , once a year , if they can afford it.
* If money is given to mosques , it shall never reach Mecca .. it is used to refurnish mosques , buy carpets ..etc
* Mecca is in KSA :the richest muslim country at all . They don't need that money anyway.
* Terrorists are not considered as muslims , since they are fanatics , extremists and criminals , and above all things : that they are not following the teachings of Islam to preach peace and tolerance on earth . They take "-out of context"- Quran narrations and use them as divine commands !

* And you should really read a little more about Islam !

Just found this on Beliefnet.


A Recently Spotted Bumper Sticker:

"God, Protect Me From Your Followers."


Love Omnaka.

My oh my. You need to learn some basic manners on how to speak in a forum of diversive people. I'm a Moslem and I'm hurt by your statement which is totally wrong. I myself believe that there's no bad religion, only bad people, regardless what their religion is.

I couldn't agree more. We have a lot of Muslims that do the same thing. There is nothing in the Qur'an that condones such behavior yet Extremest kill everyday in the name of Islam.

Mashallah I totally agree

Could not have said it better myself

As Salaam, NurAllah.

The thing with the radical Moslem and the extremist is that, they were taught that to be Islam, you need to be violent toward other "non-believers", and due to poverty and lack of education, they are unable to find truth. What the ulema told them, it is the word of Allah. Certainly this isn't always right, as anyone prolific in speaking and reading Arabic and know 1 or 2 things from Al Quran may consider themselves ulema toward these poor people. It is a fact that the teaching of terrorism grows so fertile on area filled with poverty, sometimes, it's also another way to throw their stress, and blame the much wealthy civilization (usually, they blame USA). I believe that the best weapon on the war of terrorism might not be firearms, but free education, fair trade and the understanding of what is actually happening.

I'm really angry about Islam kept branded with terrorism and injustice. So angry I could kill any terrorist myself when I see one! But for now, I'm fighting for the peace in the name of Islam.

It's all good bro, I'm not even a muslim, and I talk w/ Muslims all the time, they do get a bad rap, most of the time because of the radicle fundamentalist, but that is not who I converse w/ on the Muslim forum, believe me my love ing ways have been taken to the edge of them calling me Kuffar and other names I am not, but that is only because the logic that love represents can noty be dictated by a Koran or document.

They know me by my spirit and accept me as a brother, even though I subscribe to no religion , I Love Father and Mother (GOD) and You.

That is my religion,

There is no judgement in there anywhere.

God bless the searcher.

Love Omnaka

Thank you Omnaka. Yes, even if you have no religion, I would help you out should you got any problem and I won't do it, because I want you to be Islam. I'll do it because I want you to be my friend. Indeed it is sad how the media always hyped up the word "Islamic Terrorist". Let me assure you, there is no Islam about Terrorism at all. They're fighting fake Jihad. The greatest Jihad is against yourself, not against anybody.