Do you think people do not have the right to criticize a religion?

Canada
January 5, 2009 8:14pm CST
Do you think people do not have the right to criticize a religion? Suppose there is an ex-christian. This person might have had a very bad experience with chrstianity and therefore, surely they have a right to criticise. If soembody ahs right to praise christianity or Islam, theh wny not some others have the right to criticise these religions? Religion is not anybody's personal possession. Millions of people get affected by it. So, when somebody criticises a religion, there is no need for others to get angry or emotional as if he is criticising anybody's personal possession.
2 people like this
19 responses
@paoxav (1382)
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
They have the right. That's why freedom of speech exists anyway. We can criticize as long as we know that there are wrong practices in our opinion and we can prove it. There are lots of false religions now and they are growing. Unfortunately, those members are still blinded. I dont want to specify them coz my religion itself is not perfect.
2 people like this
6 Jan 09
I think one should have the right to express their opinion on anything including religion. So many get so upset if someone posts a different view from theirs, they say nasty things or take it out on their star. People (some) or so sure they and they alone know the truth and many of them know nothing.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Jan 09
It is called Freedom of Speech. I think that as long as people are not attacking each other personally then all is fair. I have a lot of criticisms about alot of the world's religions and as such I support them in a calm intellectual manner so that I do not intentionally offend anyone as everyone is also entilted to their beliefs. So as long as you are not flaming then by all means CRITICIZE AWAY!!! Have a great day!!!
2 people like this
• United States
7 Jan 09
Hello Frederick42, Is telling the truth about a religion criticizing that religion any or all? Being critical is to point out a flaw in an object. Religion is to be divine a part of GOD it is to be pure and holy with no flaws. Why when religion is found to have flaws do people get offended? Is it wrong to have these flaws exposed? Would it be better to hide the errors in any religion and pretend that the religion is perfect? Where does the answer lie? It is a word three letters but it is right there and bold. We not only have a right to Freedom of Speech we also have a freedom of religion and that of should include a Freedom From Religion! Among topics of Religion all opinions should be accepted and expected or even solicited to have a full experience and growth process as we are all learning. We should not ignore the personal testimony of others either. Healing those who are blind or deaf is very symbolic to a person who is trying to teach or tell another person about an issue, event, or idea. I have a vision of opening the eye of the mind. If we can not tell the truth then how can we understand the short comings, and flaws that have been created in the name of GOD. Yes, people do have the right to criticize all organized religions as we need to stop the corruption that has caused harm to the lives of too many people for way too long. The big lie is that the world will go to hell if there is no religion, I assure you quite the opposite is true. The sin is that we have not tried to live our lives free from the pressure of some community leader telling us how to live in the name of GOD. Like GOD did create us with minds, why can't we use our minds? Think about it... For Peace and Blessings, Happy MyLotting, Sincerely, Gary
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
Yes religion is not anybody's personal possession but as a Christian the bible says that we are not to murmur. If one belongs to a particular faith and something goes wrong in the fellowship it is for that person to speak about it and forgive. This is the reason there are so many denomination. Because members does not follow the rules of the bible. As for the muslim and others religion different from the Christian faith Jesus says that we are not to judge so why should we. God does not give no one power over flesh. We are given power over principalities etc. Remember the word of God says we wrestle not against flesh and blood but principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places.
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@cathya (704)
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
two thumbs up for you kerriannc!!! and around of applause clap clap clap clap..... I strongly agree with you.
1 person likes this
• Romania
7 Jan 09
I think people have the right to question religions if their criticism are founded. I do not think we have the right to criticize without knowing what we are criticizing, though.
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@cikedo (3483)
• United States
6 Jan 09
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. With that being said I personally don't think it would be right for an ex-christian to come up to another christian, unsolicited, and start telling them they shouldn't believe in Christianity. One persons personal experiences shouldn't be forced onto another person just because they had a bad experience.
1 person likes this
@earthsong (589)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I don't think one should criticize a religion, maybe the issues that lead to their unhappiness, or the people. Its usually the people that are associated that tend to be the problem. I used to be Christian, and has some not so good experiences, but while I would share the bad experience I would never blame the religion. Everyone has the right to follow their chosen belief/religion, it may not be their personal possession, but it is very personal to them, and if the entire world history is any indication, its something many are willing to fight over and about.
@ulalume (713)
• United States
7 Jan 09
I think there is something fundamentally flawed with a religion if a person claims to be a follower (lets take of Christianity for the moment) and does the opposite of the bible, yet still insists their holiness and Christ-like aptitude. If people are living their religion, and living it inappropriately, then their religion is fundamentally flawed. There is no doubt in my mind about this. Still, you are right and I agree one hundred percent, people should be able to follow whatever belief or religion they want (even if I would deem it just an imaginatory land that they allow their minds to dwell in).
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jan 09
I don't see that as a flaw in the religion. Its a flaw in the person. Some people just feel the need to be self-righteous and claiming to follow a religion so they can look down at others or act in an unChristian manner has nothing to do with the religion.
@dbzfan (253)
• India
6 Jan 09
Well I Don,t Think That Anyone has the Rights of Criticizing Other,s Religion. But Most of People nowadays do that. So i Don,t Think Whatever we Say Right or Wrong. Criticising of other,s Religion Due to Discrimination of Skin Colours,Caste,Country is Always a Non Ending Saga. And Has Become very Common in the World.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
Everyone should have the right to criticize religion, that's an aspect of religious freedom. And believers should not get angry at such critique. They should take that as an opportunity to explain, elaborate, make testimony and win converts.
1 person likes this
@ulalume (713)
• United States
6 Jan 09
Yes, people definitly deserve that right; so long as they keep it peaceful. I am an ex-Christian myself, and have experienced the agony of religion and have been hurt by the self-righteous. I am not one to try and right off all Christians as being horrible people, but I have the right to think and speak as I please about the religion. If so many people are going to flock under its banner, then those people have the right to respond to me. In the same respect, so many people existing in that religion (yet, from that, so many hypocritical individuals as well) gives me the right to express my feelings openly. Everyone is effected by religion in some way or another. Even the farest left liberal atheist is effected by religion because war itself is typically fought in the name of god!
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@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I think you are very correct here; however, there are people who look at their faith as a major part of their lives. So to insult or criticize it, they take it as a direct hit on themselves. I think a large part of the mud throwing is lack of understanding. I've been there, I don't understand other religions and/or cultures. I've been critcized before, but in my case I'm entitled to my opinion so therefore I guess the other person is too. I think we don't neccessarily have to understand it, but if you're lacking the facts then you really can't be in someone else's face about it either.
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@Pachello (16)
• Belgium
6 Jan 09
It's simply a matter of freedom of speech. You're allowed to say whatever you want, regarding your own opinion.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jan 09
I dont people have the right to criticize religion. One reason is because it should be kept to themselves so other people feelings wont get hurt. When criticizing other religion people do tend to get angry, maybe start a fight. I dont like violence and hope there is peace in the world. So many people want peace but its hard to shield it.
• United States
6 Jan 09
Legal right sure but morally... well is it right to rain on someones parade? What they believe is their opinion and really who are we to just go up to someone and say "no, you are wrong and I am right." If they ask you what do you believe, then that is another question but if they are just talking in general, leave them alone. Would you want someone to attack you for what you believe in? Religion is someones personal belief so yeah their beliefs are their possessions.
@DiDeCo (50)
• Canada
6 Jan 09
Indeed criticizing a religion is telling the other person that their religion is not right. All religions are unique, yet all have a turnaround that ends up the same. The word religion, is to spread the good word, and following in the lords footsteps. Pass the good word around. Which is to do good onto thy neighbor, among other things. When someone is criticizing a religion in reality it is just a way to change another persons beliefs. Imagine a world without the good lords good work, no matter the religion. We'd be living in a hectic hell on earth. Even worse then we are now. No matter the lords name, his good word is what matters.
@GADHISUNU (2162)
• India
6 Jan 09
IMO, the right to criticize a religion should be given only to its faithful follower and not a by-stander.When I criticize a religion that is not mine- I mean in a demeaning or derogatory manner,he/she is being too haughty. Now,in your question you have started with the example of some ex-follower(your example of ex-Christian, (which I take as a for-instance) criticizing his/her ex-religion. Well, in that case he/she must have felt an urge to explain his/her reasons to have deserted it in the first place. Well on cannot grudge it. But in general an honest inquiring pure-intentioned criticism could be welcome. I once asked a Muslim colleague of mine, what is Islam's explanation for suffering in some people's lives while enjoyments in some others'? We, Hindus have the Theory of Karma and Rebirth, giving some sort of a plausible explanation, in that it makes you squarely responsible, for what you get. You get your desserts. The only answer he had was that it was the Will of Allah. We have nothing to comment. Perhaps he wasn't very well-placed with the dialectics of his religion!?! Like I could have grilled him with more and more questions so that he became uncomfortable and shifted his legs and views.Instead, I just smiled and left it at that.
@har360 (95)
• Indonesia
6 Jan 09
I think we should not criticize a religion from someone that faith on it. Because religion is base of relation between the believer with their God. No one should or make any point out of some not good of the religion. Nowadays many nation will trigger conflict with others, just because they religion not same. Maybe human to much use their ego to conquer others. Earth will be a great place to living with, if all of people will tolerate each other. Peace.
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
In a Democratic country, freedom of speech and expression are practiced, everybody has the right to say something about anything on any subject matters. But we have to weight things out before we say or criticizes someone's religion for that matter.If we have nothing good to say to someone, I think we should just keep our mouth shut and mind our own business to avoid conflicts.