• Learning about religion in school isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We studied the major religions, Buddhism, pantheism, and to a lesser degree minor religions as a part of social studies in 7th grade. I think it was the first time anyone actually told me there were ‘options’ other than Christianity. More importantly, it helped me understand where others are coming from even though I don’t share their faith. If it’s approached from a purely educational standpoint I think religion does have a place in school - and I’m an atheist. We just shouldn’t be presenting any of it as fact or “right” when it’s all a matter of opinion, nor teaching them about any one specific religion and excluding others.

      • Well, that’s how interests work. Christians pursue their interests and other groups pursue theirs. There is nothing to accuse them of.

        Although I believe that God gave man freedom from the beginning, and Christians should adhere to the same principle, free choice.

        • You’re purposefully misunderstanding or just moving the goalpost. The top level comment said “We studied the major religions,” which is different than the “let us preach to your child in school” portrayed in the OP, yet you conflate them despite their differences and sum it up as “oh well that’s just in their interest” as if that absolves them of anything.

          Just because it is in their interests does not mean there is nothing to accuse them of, someone advocating to have -their- religion preached in school is not just a fragment of “educate about all religions in school,” it is completely different to give a sermon than give a lesson. So yes, the Christians advocating for sermons in school are rightfully accused, because that’s not education, that’s indoctrination.

          • Sorry, I think I have not understood your first part. I replied to the comment saying that Christian nationalists want to only their religion being studied in school. And as I said it is ok that they are fighting for their interests and not others. Would it be Muslims, atheists or buddhists they also want to only their religion being studied in school, and it is also fine. But not only one group is deciding and influencing on a school program. And they do not make it.

            Preaching in school is different because you are insisting a person to do the act of preaching. And my opinion there is no place for such a things in mainstream schools.

            And yes, teaching a religion is when you learn the basics like you learning the basics of some philosophy, and reading the Bible like you will reading “War and Peace”, not sermon.

            Preaching and sermon is acceptable in private schools because parents are decide how they want their children educated.

  • This post is arguing that we should not allow people to fucking quote: “freely worship their god” to prevent being sent to an internment camp, and you incels are eating it up.

          • You lifted one word out of my comment and focused on that single word that had nothing to do with the actual point so you could avoid any acknowledging the criticism. I’m not playing your stupid games. I don’t accept for a moment you’re engaging in good faith, sorry.

            If you don’t want to talk about why this was a shitty, hateful thing to post, nobody is forcing you to talk to me, buddy. Just go on with your life and try no to hurt anyone else.

            • I’d be more willing to engage with criticism if you didn’t use words that don’t make sense in this context, leading me to believe you don’t know what you’re talking about.

              It’s not shitty or hateful, your anger is the intended outcome; this is a satirical edit of a Christian hate-meme to display how hateful it is when applied to Christians

      • Is it? I mean it clearly references it, but unless I’m not getting something, that’s a hateful meme slurring transgenderism, and this is a hateful meme slurring religion. If either of them are intended ironically, they’re cutting pretty damn close to the Poe line. I’m not seeing any parody.

            • Ok, it’s not hateful unless you think it is.

              To me, that’s funny. I understand that some people can take this seriously and come to think that what the meme is saying is actually happening which may bring more harm than good.

              • It’s not hateful unless I think it is. What might you mean by that rhetorical gem. Are you trying to argue that there is no such thing as objective hate? That I can just choose not to find hate speech hateful, and that fixes everything?

                • For some people it’s offensive, for others it’s not. At this point, it is subjective. If everyone thinks it’s offensive, then it is otherwise, it depends on each individual.

                  I don’t think it’s that controversial.

                  I’m not arguing anything, I’m talking about that specific meme, not about hate speech in general. I’m not sure what you are trying to say either :/

                  What I’m saying is that there is a fine line between funny and hateful. For some people this kind of meme is funny, for others, it’s hateful.

  • When step 2 intersects with capitalism, all the other stuff just naturally follows. Sure there are people who legitimately want to help people (read an article about 2 Christians giving up their high paying jobs to spend their time making affordable housing for the poor and indigenous people) but they’re increasingly becoming the minority.

    That said, money based religions are only one oppressive group that bands together for profit and control. Religions aren’t much different than political parties (hence the smashup between many) and corporations, organized crime, etc.

    Human nature, rather than being inherently good, tends to be inherently bad. Hence why most giant groups tend to be oppressive by nature. It’s why I believe that there shouldn’t be giant concentrations of wealth and power.

    • Cringe comment tbh. Religion is a net neutral institution. It can be nudged in any direction. Majority atheist states are not less oppressive than majority religious states. America does have a uniquely large amount of Christianity-inspired cults tho. I would say this more of an indicator of America’s failing/non-existent social systems, rather than an inheritant feature of religion.

      Cults, mafias and corrupt monopolies exist primarily, when the state fails at least in one key area. They act as competitors of the state. Competition in science, art and economy is great. In governance, competition means public chaos and oppression. Multi-party democracies are the only exceptions (to some extent).

  • I was taught about Islam in social studies, and I don’t remember anybody trying to force me to obey Islamic law at any point.

    I don’t know whether there is a slippery slope, but I do know this isn’t an accurate description of it.

  • this gives off the vibe of an atheist who’s managed to slip their way out of one harmful belief system but never figured out that superstition and bias are intrinsic parts of the human condition, and is now a raging bigot cuz’ they think atheism made their farts smell good.