Is there a reluctance to respond to the criticisms of religion?

I answer questions about my religion when they are asked, but they are seldom asked since mine isn't a majority religion. Moreover, since my faith is mostly based on personal experience, there isn't a lot to really argue either. I mean, you can tell me something doesn't make logical sense all day long, but if I've seen it, then I've seen it.

Anyone can critisize anything with false claims. But each religious followers has to understand that are they true or false.

People have a right not to respond to criticisms of their religion. For instance, if I were to criticize pagans as those without hope and God in the world, they would attack me from all side. And although I am a Christian, I do not have a degree in religious studies, and cannot give an answer to someone who wanted a reporter with a camera plus Augustus Caesar to say that at Bethlehem a star shone over a stable outside of town and a young virgin gave birth to a son who was to be the Christ. Also since man is imperfect and full of sin, these critiques also want Christians to be perfect and not to do any wrong and give all their goods to the poor, and be a social rather than a spiritual force in the earth. Then if one does not believe the Bible is the Word of God, then one will deny that Paul was at Ephesus, unless there is a scroll found in the present location showing that a certain Jew of Tarsus named Paul formerly Saul was thrown in jail and later on there was an earthquake. So it is all right to criticize, but will the one criticizing accept the defense?

Despite whatmany "Christians" say, Christianity is a historically based religion that not only welcomes, but invites a critical assessment of it's claims. There is a body of evidence to consider, a case made for Jesus being the promised Messiah, and in the end, a choice left to the observer to accept or reject the teachings based on the evidence. Christians are called to be witness in a legal sense. Christians are called to "always be ready to give an answer." If Christ is the truth, then we have nothing to fear from open, honest examination. If He is not, then we'd best find out quick. (but He is!)

Well criticizing a religion is a tricky thing. Most people don't criticize religions, they criticize members of a faith. There is nothing wrong with Islam, but there are many terrorists who claim to be Muslim. As a result people criticize the religion assuming that terrorists are a standard representation of all Muslims. I'm Catholic and I hear no end of comments about things that priests have done. People rarely criticize the religion. That's like saying "Hey, those 10 commandments suck. I don't like them telling me not to kill, steal, etc." Criticizing the base of a person's belief, like Jesus being the son of God, well that's just pointless. It can't be proven one way or the other, so it's just a matter of faith. Everyone's heard the story and you can't force someone to believe your way by criticizing them.

This is a great discussion....when I have more time, I will read all of the responses. I think that a lot of people may skirt the questions and all that b/c they don't have the answers themselves. Religion is a very hard subject to talk about...at least to me. I consider myself religious, but I can't answer a lot of questions, b/c I don't know the answers myself.

Yaa this is true my dear the same is the case wth the people accross the world when it comes to religion.....People are quite paranoid regarding this...Critic has his job..being done and this is fare on his part when he is so called a critic so let him go and we do not care for such personalities no matter what so the matter may be...

I think that in general you are right. A lot of people avoid talking about religion, discussing religion . It's a heated subject and some people have trouble accepting different views and ideas which makes it even more difficult to talk about it. I"m happy, however, that many people can explain and talk about their beliefs while at the same time listen to different points of view without getting all defensive about it. We have quite a few right here in myLOt and I respect all of them for it. As for myself, I don't necessarily look for post on religion to answer but when I found them and if I have something to say I post my comments, even if my views are different from the poster or the majority of posters. I think I have the same right to let my views be known.

many sits speake about this topic can you tell me about your opinion for that