beastie wrote: Some statements, or beliefs are patently ridiculous, even if they appear reasonable to the source. And being asked to show "respect" to patently ridiculous things results in the desire to mock those same things. If one lives in a society in which a significant number of people, including those with whom you want to maintain functioning relationships for some reason, openly embrace the ridiculous behavior, statement, or belief, then you are probably going to mock it in private or anonymously. I don't mock the ridiculous EV belief in hellfire openly in front of EVs. I see no reason to do so. It would only create hostile feelings (although why they think they can proudly advertise this belief and NOT engender hostile feelings in others is another subject). But damn straight I'm going to privately mock those beliefs with my family members who also believe it to be ridiculous. Damn straight I'm going to laugh my arse off at the EV televangelist who almost seems to be excited at the idea of scoffers having their flesh peeled off for all eternity.
There are anti-Semites who believe just like you, and think it perfectly appropriate to mock, in private, what they view as pattently ridiculous behaviors, statements, or beliefs of Jews (particularly ultra-orthodox Jews). I personally have heard private ridicule of the male peyos (the side locks of hair), the fur hat and black coats, and kosher food, not dancing with the opposite sex in public, the role of women in the Church, etc., and I find such childish mocking to be distatesful, and I have expressed my distates when appropriate. I try to do the same with stereotyping mockery of non-religious groups.
Really. If I'm supposed to pretend that all beliefs demand respect for no reason other than they're clothed in the police uniform of religion, then that is also patently ridiculous and deserving of mockery.
Obviously if you mock something you don't expect or intend to have genuine dialogue with those who adhere to the belief or demonstrate the behavior. I don't want or intend to have "genuine dialogue" with the people in my neighborhood who think I'm going to hell for not going to church and accepting Jesus. There is no point. But living in a society where one is forced to hear and see this nonsense on a regular basis is like living with a bunch of cartmans who actually DO have influence and sometimes power. Cartman is begging to be mocked, and so are some patently ridiculous beliefs.
Are people who mock Cartman bigots? Am I a bigot because I mock the EVs who prance around on stage delighting in the idea of nonbelievers or believers in the 'wrong' thing burning in hell for eternity?
I don't know anything about the "Cartman", but I think your mocking the EV's may very well qualify as bigotry.
I don't live in an area surrounded by LDS in power. But if I did, I may be more tempted to engage in some mockery of certain beliefs which are, frankly, ridiculous. I don't care if you attach the word "religious" in front of it or not.
Of course you would mock. It would be right in line with your transperantly significant disdain for religion in general and your former faith in particular. It would be your way of helping you to feel better about yourself. And, no doubt you would rationalize it as non-bigotted, but merely "criticism" of something you deem "pattently ridiculous"--and this even given the unmistakable obstinance and intollerance you have towards your own opinions and prejudices (this is the dictionary definition of bigotry, not mine). Classic!
Thanks, -Wade Englund-