I understand people critical of religion in general. after all, religion can be said to be responsible often for hatred , and war. though that is far from being always the only course.
However r can not understand those constantly critical of my religion, which has at the most, 14 million adherents only.
First I will explain what I see as Criticism = The practice of analyzing, classifying, interpreting, or evaluating , often finding disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings.
Criticism can either be done for the purpose of trying to improve or trying to eliminate or negate.
Now, if someone is criticizing aspects of Judaism ( my religion ) and they are addressing actual beleifs, history or custom, then I examine the criticism, and base my analysis upon that. I think that we learn how to be better through critical analysis. Torah and Judaism have a LONG history of just such an inquiry within our own religion and between one another. The Talmud that is often so misrepresented, contains within it some very pointed debates and criticisms of decisions of how to best honor Torah/halacha in Jewish life.
I can disagree without behaving disagreably. I believe others are free to their opinions and rights to belief. As a Jew, and fitting with what my religion of Judaism teaches, I do not believe that one must be a Jew to be counted among the righteous and blessed of God or to live a fulfilling and moral life.
However, far too often, what I see 'criticised' has absolutely nothing to do with what Jews have ever believed or that Judaism teaches or permits, ( Just a TINY example, if you're not a Jew you don't deserve God's blessing, or that chosen people implies God is exclusive to the Jews or we're superior than others)
In those instances, fist, I feel a sigh. It's frustrating to see people think they'e finding fault with what you believe when what they're finding fault with has nothing to do with it at all and in fact contradicts the religion's laws and teachings since the time of the writing of the Torah.
Until or unless they're trying to convert me, they misrepresent an aspect of my faith or they're displaying hate to me or others and try to base it on their belief, I get along with most folk. I am respectful and tolerant of the right of individuals and groups to have their own unadulterated culture, customs and beliefs. My tolerance extends to the point where the expression of those beliefs violate certain standards of behaviors: If they attempt to violate another’s civil rights, seek to incite harm to anyone, willfully deceive another or misrepresent the beliefs of others then my tolerance ceases.
I do not even feel I have to respect every other belief out there, but I do need to recognize and live in a manner that respects the right of others to have their different beliefs. That’s what we generally mean when we say we want them to respect us.
I don’t care if someone doesn’t like Judaism, as long as they are basing their dislike on the reality of what Judaism IS and not giving a strawman argument. No one of the Jewish faith respects another when they misrepresent Judaism, for whatever agenda; conversion, negation of our laws to hijack Jewish identity with replacement theology, political purposes to negate the right of Jews as a people defined by Jewish law, bigotry etc.
So, essentially..the form of criticism determines entirely how I *feel* in any particular instance.
Usually it is clear that they don't know what they are talking about and since I know why I am where I am and why I do what I do it usually just makes me a bit frustrated and sometimes surprised that they would WANT to be that ignorant and/or blind and even CARE. Why, if I got so worked up about every differing opinion....makes me exhausted just thinking about it. I am a bit relieved to be on the receiving end as a person and a church then the one attacking. I mean come on, WWJD??
Live and let live and if you are that small minded then oh well. My life will not be effected by your opinion.
Hey the Atheist person who answered, the atoms and viruses are unseen, so those scientists are retards? Come up with a better put down of people with religion
When people criticize Islam, I feel no anger. Instead, I feel fear that they mislead and will suffer a terrible chastisement in the hereafter. I pity that they do not use their brains and think about religion. I pity their foolish selfish ways and ask God to guide them on the straight path, so that they do not earn His anger, nor do they go astray.
I really dont care people are dumb. Do you really think that giveing me thumbs down is going to bother me, i actually enjoy pissing everybody off, im trying to break the yahoo answers thumbs down record but i need way more. Come on people you can do better then this.
Personally, I don't care. I can't prove it is true and they can't prove it is false, so it is just noise. Will carry the discussion further provided they buy the beer.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
I laugh.
It's their opinion after all, just like my beliefs a my own.
I understand people critical of religion in general. after all, religion can be said to be responsible often for hatred , and war. though that is far from being always the only course.
However r can not understand those constantly critical of my religion, which has at the most, 14 million adherents only.
First I will explain what I see as Criticism = The practice of analyzing, classifying, interpreting, or evaluating , often finding disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings.
Criticism can either be done for the purpose of trying to improve or trying to eliminate or negate.
Now, if someone is criticizing aspects of Judaism ( my religion ) and they are addressing actual beleifs, history or custom, then I examine the criticism, and base my analysis upon that. I think that we learn how to be better through critical analysis. Torah and Judaism have a LONG history of just such an inquiry within our own religion and between one another. The Talmud that is often so misrepresented, contains within it some very pointed debates and criticisms of decisions of how to best honor Torah/halacha in Jewish life.
I can disagree without behaving disagreably. I believe others are free to their opinions and rights to belief. As a Jew, and fitting with what my religion of Judaism teaches, I do not believe that one must be a Jew to be counted among the righteous and blessed of God or to live a fulfilling and moral life.
However, far too often, what I see 'criticised' has absolutely nothing to do with what Jews have ever believed or that Judaism teaches or permits, ( Just a TINY example, if you're not a Jew you don't deserve God's blessing, or that chosen people implies God is exclusive to the Jews or we're superior than others)
In those instances, fist, I feel a sigh. It's frustrating to see people think they'e finding fault with what you believe when what they're finding fault with has nothing to do with it at all and in fact contradicts the religion's laws and teachings since the time of the writing of the Torah.
Until or unless they're trying to convert me, they misrepresent an aspect of my faith or they're displaying hate to me or others and try to base it on their belief, I get along with most folk. I am respectful and tolerant of the right of individuals and groups to have their own unadulterated culture, customs and beliefs. My tolerance extends to the point where the expression of those beliefs violate certain standards of behaviors: If they attempt to violate another’s civil rights, seek to incite harm to anyone, willfully deceive another or misrepresent the beliefs of others then my tolerance ceases.
I do not even feel I have to respect every other belief out there, but I do need to recognize and live in a manner that respects the right of others to have their different beliefs. That’s what we generally mean when we say we want them to respect us.
I don’t care if someone doesn’t like Judaism, as long as they are basing their dislike on the reality of what Judaism IS and not giving a strawman argument. No one of the Jewish faith respects another when they misrepresent Judaism, for whatever agenda; conversion, negation of our laws to hijack Jewish identity with replacement theology, political purposes to negate the right of Jews as a people defined by Jewish law, bigotry etc.
So, essentially..the form of criticism determines entirely how I *feel* in any particular instance.
Shalom y'all.
Usually it is clear that they don't know what they are talking about and since I know why I am where I am and why I do what I do it usually just makes me a bit frustrated and sometimes surprised that they would WANT to be that ignorant and/or blind and even CARE. Why, if I got so worked up about every differing opinion....makes me exhausted just thinking about it. I am a bit relieved to be on the receiving end as a person and a church then the one attacking. I mean come on, WWJD??
Live and let live and if you are that small minded then oh well. My life will not be effected by your opinion.
Hey the Atheist person who answered, the atoms and viruses are unseen, so those scientists are retards? Come up with a better put down of people with religion
When people criticize Islam, I feel no anger. Instead, I feel fear that they mislead and will suffer a terrible chastisement in the hereafter. I pity that they do not use their brains and think about religion. I pity their foolish selfish ways and ask God to guide them on the straight path, so that they do not earn His anger, nor do they go astray.
I really dont care people are dumb. Do you really think that giveing me thumbs down is going to bother me, i actually enjoy pissing everybody off, im trying to break the yahoo answers thumbs down record but i need way more. Come on people you can do better then this.
I get together with all the other militant, extremist pantheists, and we plot our revenge. Heh heh heh.
Oh, wait. No, the thing is, if the criticism is just and constructive I embrace it, and if not, I ignore it.
I've found the best defense to having your silly religion criticized is to be an atheist.
Personally, I don't care. I can't prove it is true and they can't prove it is false, so it is just noise. Will carry the discussion further provided they buy the beer.
I'm an atheist but let people criticize - we all have that right guaranteed to us. It doesn't bother me because I'm secure in myself.