Should criticizing religion really be looked down upon?

No, youre wrong Loonyeinstein does not spent most of his time lost in thoughthttp://www.spaceandmotion.com/albert-einstein-god-religion-theology.htm

Replying to #61

Having read the autobiography of one of his colleagues on the Manhattan project, I've a fair idea of what he was like.

A bit-off:Who is this "Spinoza's God"?

Spinoza is a Dutch philosophermore here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza#Pantheism_controversy

LoonylionConsidering the ethnic makeup of Germany (and the US) during Einstein's time, I would be very surprised if he ever read a Qu'ran, or had any interest in doing so. He was a mathematical genius who spent most of his time lost in thought. I seriously doubt he had any time for religion, or even books that were not of a factual nature.

haha, lost in thought ? is that even really possible?
even so. its been mentioned that Einstein was a religious person
not only studying science but also trying to incorporate both together.
and even so, who are we to know? its not like we know him.
I dont know for sure, maybe what I read is fictional
but either way, you should't criticize religion when its aimed to cause offense
its not like its doing any harm that people are being nice to one another ?

criticizing should not be frowned upon unless that religion has caused an unjust death on an innocent lifefrowned upon by me:
radical muslims
scientology

christianity has also caused unjust deaths in the past, as has judaism.

Why would you even want to criticize someone elses religion? What do you really serve to gain from it aside from the knowledge that you sound like a jerk? If someone has a belief that you dont agree with or you have "proof" is wrong, who gives a damn? If it makes them feel more at peace with themselves and helps them deal with the shit going on in their lives, thats great. Its more than some people have.On the topic of extremeists, every religion has them, there are even atheist extremeists. You dont need to believe in the metaphysical to be a loony. Dont judge the whole on the sins of the few.As far as christians/jews/muslims/zoroastrians/pastafarians/whatever causing deaths, yeah ok. But my christian friends arent about to start another inquistition or a witch hunt. The reason for that is simple, because its not 1478 anymore, most people have a lot more tolerance for each other these days. And the ones who dont, are probably insecure in themselves.If anyone can seriously tell me why criticizing religion can be beneficial beyond the point of you getting to play philosopher and spout existentialist philosophy out of context, because you've never actually read Nietzsche, you just know he said something about God having died or something, and religion is totally bogus because some dude said that its the opium of the masses, but you havent read his work either. If anyone can tell me why criticizing religion is for the good, aside from the reasons I just mentioned, I will retract everything I just said.Remember, that a religion and an organised belief system are two different things, so no, scientology would no agree with most traditional definitions of religion.

Replying to #68

It provides a balance. Criticism is what keeps organisations, including religious ones, on the straight and narrow. As an example, the (fairly) recent relevations of child abuse that went on in catholic schools. Because of the public outcry, the catholic church has been forced to take action to ensure it doesnt happen again. Had those cases not come to light, nothing would have changed. The same thing happened with the MP's expenses scandal in the UK, public pressure forced MPs to pay back money they had obtained by deception under the guise of 'expenses', and in some cases forced MPs to resign or have the party whip withdrawn. Now they're discussing reforms to the expenses system. Criticism brings change that puts right things that have gone wrong.

Taufel · #68Why would you even want to criticize someone elses religion? What do you really serve to gain from it aside from the knowledge that you sound like a jerk? If someone has a belief that you dont agree with or you have "proof" is wrong, who gives a damn? If it makes them feel more at peace with themselves and helps them deal with the shit going on in their lives, thats great. Its more than some people have.On the topic of extremeists, every religion has them, there are even atheist extremeists. You dont need to believe in the metaphysical to be a loony. Dont judge the whole on the sins of the few.As far as christians/jews/muslims/zoroastrians/pastafarians/whatever causing deaths, yeah ok. But my christian friends arent about to start another inquistition or a witch hunt. The reason for that is simple, because its not 1478 anymore, most people have a lot more tolerance for each other these days. And the ones who dont, are probably insecure in themselves.If anyone can seriously tell me why criticizing religion can be beneficial beyond the point of you getting to play philosopher and spout existentialist philosophy out of context, because you've never actually read Nietzsche, you just know he said something about God having died or something, and religion is totally bogus because some dude said that its the opium of the masses, but you havent read his work either. If anyone can tell me why criticizing religion is for the good, aside from the reasons I just mentioned, I will retract everything I just said.Remember, that a religion and an organised belief system are two different things, so no, scientology would no agree with most traditional definitions of religion.

This. QFT. I was considering posting my thoughts, but this pretty much sums them up.

Replying to #69

Criticism should be leveled against the individual perpetrators and not any innocuous organisation with which they may be associated.

Replying to #70

It is the responsibility of the organisation to ensure that its members behave within the law. The fact that the abuses were so widespread incriminates the organisation.

I see a few problems here.1. Unless the abuse was deliberately orchestrated within the Catholic Church, there are no grounds to criticise the group as a whole on this matter.
2. Any organisation the size of the Catholic Church is bound to have rogue individuals. Furthermore, it's just not feasible to keep a close watch on each member.
3. Is it not possible that the Catholic Church's response to the abuse was motivated by Christian teachings as opposed to just being an attempt to save face? C'mon, try to be more optimistic.

Come on people really first off all types of christians have only petty little differences between and i'm in of those groups. But really religon should be like any other topic that you can't prove. there is really no reason why people should start wars OVER RELIGON. Oh my god whoever thinks i'm wrong needs to do the following steps.1. Get over yourself
2. Get a life because you obvoisly don't have 1
3. Get an apartment away from your mom's base ment where you are now because you know that movie 40yr old virgin that movie is about you 20 years ago
4. Get a mate and have some kids because people who are offended by what I said need to do these things beccause you are an IDIOT Thank you idiots that is all ,oh, and stop by our sorry that i spoke the truth department but still have to apoligize. thank you that is all

Replying to #73

Your behaviour doesn't really make you out to be a model Christian.

makes you look like a dumbass ><

tehuber1337 · #72I see a few problems here.1. Unless the abuse was deliberately orchestrated within the Catholic Church, there are no grounds to criticise the group as a whole on this matter.
2. Any organisation the size of the Catholic Church is bound to have rogue individuals. Furthermore, it's just not feasible to keep a close watch on each member.
3. Is it not possible that the Catholic Church's response to the abuse was motivated by Christian teachings as opposed to just being an attempt to save face? C'mon, try to be more optimistic.

In Ireland, where I lived, when the Catholic Church had one of its priests reported for child abuse in a school, they moved him to a different school. This is fact. The government has accepted its share of the blame and is now landed with paying something like €1bn while the church has paid a fraction of that. And the members of the church are now protesting that the church's schools are going to be monitored by the state! I have no patience for the Catholic church as an organisation. It's been responsible for too much for too long. Many of my family are still devout Catholics as are quite a few of my friends, and I know better than to judge someone based on their beliefs, but I still disagree that Catholicism is a responsible institution.

Hmm, I was unaware of that. I guess it all comes back down to judging people on their beliefs, I guess.

Replying to #77

Judging people on their beliefs is as stupid as judging them by the type of car they own. Judging an institution on its members' actions is only worthwhile if it stands behind those actions and or allows them to continue.

Replying to #78

that is right!!!!
tehuber is wrong...

Replying to #79

That wording's a little harsh, I would say he was misinformed.