Religious intolerance: a threat to world peace?

[rustled]

In other threads, several posters have objected to any posts which point out Islam is not alone in its intolerance toward gays. One of these posts ended with the assurance that while Christianity is on the decline in the western world, it is on the upswing in places like Africa.

First of all, let me say that what's most important is indeed that we are all in this together. Our goal should be ending violence against everyone, throughout the world.

And it should go without saying that people the world over should be free to choose to follow whatever religious teachings they wish, as long as they do no harm to others.

Recently, in several African countries, evangelical Christians have been credited with helping local governments impose strict laws against homosexuality, up to and including the death penalty.

We know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that in all forms of violence, where people are encouraged by the intolerant attitudes of a group of people there is more likely to be more violence.

There is no such thing as benign intolerance, as it inevitably bolsters the more malignant intolerance (hatred) in others.

I think most of us would agree that intolerance and hatred are wrong. So as we look at the factors that combine to encourage violence and undermine peace, what are mainstream Christians doing to combat the extremists among them, both here in North America and more particularly as their brethren evangelize Africa?

We are, rightly, asked to be vigilant of all the forms of intolerance Islam promotes. That is as it should be. Meanwhile, what should be done to ensure the intolerance promoted by others who do so in the name of Christianity, is not adding to the unrest in the world, increasing the likelihood of violence and undermining the peace we all yearn for?

[Glacier]

Maybe we should just shoot all the Christians we know. That would solve it. Oops wrong answer. I'll try again...

In my view the term "religious intolerance" is a pernicious word meant to spread intolerance rather than tolerance and peace. Religious intolerance should mean "intolerance toward another person's religious beliefs." Instead, people often reverse its meaning to excuse their own intolerance of someone's religion.

There are 12 nations plus the Islamic areas of Nigeria where homosexuality carries the death penalty. According to the OP evangelical Christians were behind some of these laws, which to me shows a desire to show religious intolerance since it's probably not true. This is not a religious intolerance issue though; it is an intolerance issue. Pretty much all nations at one time, whether Islamic, Christian, secular, other something else criminalized homosexuality including our own. They to move forward is to address the intolerance that remain without trying to develop some new intolerances.

The only threats to world peace are ideologies that justify violence as a means of subduing dissidents. These ideologies can either be religious in nature or secular. Both are equally bad. The importance is to identify the ideology that drives such intolerance. And then to fight against it with the pen, for that is mightier than the sword.

[rustled]

In my view the term "religious intolerance" is a pernicious word meant to spread intolerance rather than tolerance and peace. Religious intolerance should mean "intolerance toward another person's religious beliefs." Instead, people often reverse its meaning to excuse their own intolerance of someone's religion.

There are 12 nations plus the Islamic areas of Nigeria where homosexuality carries the death penalty. According to the OP evangelical Christians were behind some of these laws, which to me shows a desire to show religious intolerance since it's probably not true. This is not a religious intolerance issue though; it is an intolerance issue. Pretty much all nations at one time, whether Islamic, Christian, secular, other something else criminalized homosexuality including our own. They to move forward is to address the intolerance that remain without trying to develop some new intolerances.

The only threats to world peace are ideologies that justify violence as a means of subduing dissidents. These ideologies can either be religious in nature or secular. Both are equally bad.

We do need to use words carefully.

I respectfully disagree with this statement:

The only threats to world peace are ideologies that justify violence as a means of subduing dissidents.

Surely those who preach intolerance and hatred must take some responsibility for the actions of those who will take intolerant teachings to extreme.

According to this site, there are 76+ countries where homosexuality is illegal.https://76crimes.com/100s-die-in-homophobic-anti-gay-attacks-statistics-updates/ In the eyes of most people, if it is illegal there is therefore a critical mass of people who agree it must be wrong. If "they" are doing something wrong, it is much easier for everyone else to minimize wrongdoing against them, to turn a blind eye or, worse, to say "they" had it coming.

We would have been on this list until relatively recently.

A Google search found quite a few mainstream news stories about the problem of homophobia in Africa, and the contribution of Western-faith-based evangelists. I had posted a critique from a Christian publication in one of the other threads, but unfortunately it was deleted. I'll re-post it when I find it.

[rustled]

... The importance is to identify the ideology that drives such intolerance. And then to fight against it with the pen, for that is mightier than the sword.

I very much like what you added to the end after I'd "picked up" your post.

To accomplish this, I feel we must always be ready to examine our own ideologies, and not be content to only examine those of others.

If we cannot examine our own actions, ideologies and beliefs, how can we evolve toward a better future?

[looking4one]

Watch your thoughts for they become words,
watch your words for they become actions,
watch your actions, for they become habits,
watch your habits for they become your character,
watch your character for it becomes your destiny.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Farmmaa]

[maryjane48]

to include secular in this is absurd . the actions of tyrants shouldnt be lumped in with realists . no faith no reasons to hate the folks different from you . because there is no made up book to te you to kill john and ken the new couple down the road .

every single faith except for couple have preached death to who ever because ghats what humans do and it should never be surprise that it creeps up in the majority of man made faiths .

i think 100 percent that for humans to keep on adavancing and living , faith in gods needs to become a thing humans once did because we didnt know any better . and in recent world events we see both western and middle eastern faiths being at the core of many deaths . make no mistake the americans military is a christian force . the americans join church and state like they are mixing cookie dough . and the rebels they were bankrolling decided to use islam as a excuse to have a little *bleep* match with the west . classic my gods better than your god .


people can beilive what they like but the minute they impose their views on someone else in a negativ way , it isnt a faith anymore , its tool for intolerance

[Nasturtium]

Religious intolerance: a threat to world peace?
Absolutely!
Consenting adults should not be stigmatized by religion or politics.

[looking4one]

AND it wasn't until 2003 that: "adults are free to engage in private consensual sex without government oppression."

Laws prohibiting same-gender sexual behavior are commonly called "sodomy laws." They have taken many forms in different jurisdictions. Some criminalize certain behaviors by opposite-gender as well as same-gender couples. It would not be much of an exaggeration to say that every sexual act except sexual intercourse between a married couple using the missionary position in the dark has been criminalized in at least one U.S. state at one time during its history.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_laws.htm

During the first half of 2003, the U.S. Supreme court studied the constitutionality of sodomy legislation. In the Lawrence v. Texas case, they reviewed a Texas law. It criminalized certain sexual behavior by same-sex couples even though the same activities are quite legal if done by opposite-sex couples. In a ground-breaking decision, the Court decided on 2003-JUN-26 that adults are free to engage in private consensual sex without government oppression. They placed limits on the ability of state governments to legislate sexual morality. The sodomy laws in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, were declared unconstitutional. Legal experts believe that the sodomy laws in the nine other states are now also null and void. Laws in a few states which criminalize fornication (sexual intercourse by unmarried persons), adultery, and other behaviors may also be overturned by this ruling.

For all you unmarried fornicators, 13 years ago, you could be considered committing a criminal act.

For those that choose to take the legal high road, you might be getting "LIFE".

[Glacier]

It was only within the last decade that British Columbia, Alberta, etc. removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

[cliffy1]

It was only within the last decade that British Columbia, Alberta, etc. removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

Yup. We are so much more advanced than them Muzzies.

[Farmmaa]

It was only within the last decade that British Columbia, Alberta, etc. removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from it's list of mental illnesses in 1982.
( the US removed it in 1973 )

Even though it was no longer listed as a mental illness, doctors continued to bill their services under mental health disorders.
BC doctors were made to quit the practice in 2005. Alberta doctors continued until 2010.
It was a billing practice used by doctors, it was NOT still listed as an actual mental health illness.

[sobrohusfat]

It was only within the last decade that British Columbia, Alberta, etc. removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

Yup. We are so much more advanced than them Muslims.

How many *bleep* were thrown off tall buildings in BC/Alta before that?

[Poindexter]

It was only within the last decade that British Columbia, Alberta, etc. removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

Those were the pre Ellen years. We're much better now.

[Farmmaa]

How many *bleep* were thrown off tall buildings in BC/Alta before that?

Are you seriously trying to make a valid point by using such insulting, demeaning language ?