Who is the least tolerant?

Who is the least tolerant?
Good question, as it gives people the opportunity to do some valuable introspection

Evangelicalhumanist said:

I have observed, far too often in these forums, that there are people who are essentially intolerant of others who don't conform to one or another set of norms, views, beliefs, sexual expression, and so on. And I've also observed that there are many who are pretty accepting of all sorts of things, usually providing that they do no harm to others.

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I observed the same. Intolerant is close to judging other's feelings/beliefs/mind/thoughts (not speech/actions !). So, it might be seen as a kind of "Brainwashing", though I would not consider it "washing", but more "desensitizing" or ...

Evangelicalhumanist said:

Now, I think (and this is based on no rigorous data) that the most intolerant people are very often those who are pursuaded by religious beliefs, often citing scripture to back up their intolerance. And I think that I've also observed (again with no rigorous data) that people who are more accustomed to free thought about everything (that is, not relying on scripture or dogma that is required to be believed) are much less likely to be intolerant of others -- often, in fact, being quite ready to accept and explore other viewpoints, cultures and so forth.

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Christianity and Islam together account for more than 4000 million people, so more than 50% of the earth. It is a fact that these 2 faiths do have, let's say, quite strong exclusive beliefs. So, your assessment seems right to me, that most people tend to be intolerant, and mainly found in religious beliefs.

Of course there is a minority in these faiths that is tolerant, and there is a group outside these faiths that is intolerant.

My Master for example has been very clear about this. The moment you judge a person (not speech/action !), it means you commit even blasphemy, and deny even the same "God" you claim to follow.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

But many things impact our thinking, and religion (or irreligion), racism (or lack of it), politics, culture and so on inform how we relate with other people. But for my purpose here, I want to restrict the choice to just two: Are religious people more tolerant of human diversity, or are the non-religious more likely to be so?

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From personal experience I conclude that Religious people are in general the most exclusive, and therefore judgmental and intolerant people. But I also see a shift now, that people become aware of what harm is done with this.

I do see, that Atheists tend to become quite, let's say, "Religious" in their attempt to prove the Religious person is wrong. But that is understandable, as we need to protect ourselves (imposing on others, like "my way is also your highway" + "you are Hellbound" etc., is a form of mental/emotional violence by imposing their opinion as fact on others while evangelizing/proselytizing)

Mock Turtle said:

Isn't intolerance in one's thinking likely to lead to intolerance in behaviour though?

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Yes, it certainly can…Especially, if one isn't guided by moral principles that would prevent such occurrences.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

Are religious people more tolerant of human diversity, or are the non-religious more likely to be so?

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DKH said:

It seems that from the poll results that religious people are!

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You quote "Are religious people more tolerant of human diversity, or are the non-religious more likely to be so?"
You answer "From the poll results it seems religious people are"

Your answer is wrong in the context you give by quoting
Your answer is right when seen from the Title question

DKH said:

It seems that from the poll results that religious people are!

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Yes, the poll shows religious people are the least tolerant. At least when we talk about belief. Maybe they are more tolerant in other fields.

DKH said:

But, I reject the concept…Not with the results, but with the idea that a devout religious person can accept the concepts of religious or non-religious groups that are contrary to what that person accepts and believes.

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My Master told us "All Religions are pathways to the Truth. Never belittle another's Religion, because you commit Blasphemy".

This makes the most sense to me. So, for me it's easy to accept that others have different religious concepts, and I also believe that their (non)faith can lead to the goal too.

DKH said:

It is my opinion that there is only one true religion. Hence, it would be irresponsible of me to accept or consider that the beliefs of others can also be valid alongside mine…So, I am not tolerant in my mindset. Yet, I am also unwilling to take any active action, such as proselytizing. However, this position would seem to allow for me to give my opinion on such matters.

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Thank you for sharing it as "my opinion". That feels respectful.
When sharing your opinion on belief as your opinion and not as a fact, nobody will ever have a problem with it I think.

And unwilling to proselytize makes it even more palatable.

stvdv said:

My Master told us "All Religions are pathways to the Truth. Never belittle another's Religion, because you commit Blasphemy".

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I do not think your Master was correct. You mean we should let untruth prevail. All religions are not pathways to truth. Exclusivity in religions is hardly worthy of any respect. Let us call a spade a spade.

stvdv said:

My Master told us "All Religions are pathways to the Truth. Never belittle another's Religion, because you commit Blasphemy".

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Aupmanyav said:

I do not think your Master was correct.

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Aupmanyav said:

You mean we should let untruth prevail. All religions are not pathways to truth. Exclusivity in religions is hardly worthy of any respect. Let us call a spade a spade.

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Exactly. Exclusivity is belittling others, hence Blasphemy.

Piculet said:

Both [humility and shyness] are virtues

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Shyness is a flaw in personality. Like the meekness that Christians like to claim is blessed, shyness is a poverty of spirit, a failure to assert oneself when it would be necessary or helpful. It's root is fear and insecurity, a form of cowardice.

Piculet said:

Don't the poll results indicate the intolerance of the non-religious toward the religious?

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No. They indicate that the majority of people (5/6 at this time) answering thought that the religious were the more intolerant.

This no doubt results from their closed-mindedness, or an unwillingness to consider evidence and argument dispassionately and critically with an ability to follow and properly evaluate an argument - a requirement for faith to thrive. The faith-based mind must be closed to evidence. Behold these fine examples of faith-based thinkers essentially telling you that their minds are closed for business:

• [1] "The way in which I know Christianity is true is first and foremost on the basis of the witness of the holy spirit, in my heart. And that this gives me a self authenticating means of knowing Christianity is true wholly apart from the evidence. And therefore if in some historically contingent circumstances, the evidence that I have available to me should turn against Christianity, I don’t think that that controverts the witness of the holy spirit. In such a circumstance I should regard that as simply a result of the contingent circumstances that I’m in, and that if I were to pursue this with due diligence and with time, I would discover that the evidence, if I could get the correct picture would support what the witness of the holy spirit tells me" - William Lane Craig

• [2] The moderator in the debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham on whether creationism is a viable scientific field of study asked, "What would change your minds?" Scientist Bill Nye answered, "Evidence." Young Earth Creationist Ken Ham answered, "Nothing. I'm a Christian." Elsewhere, Ham stated, “By definition, no apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be valid if it contradicts the scriptural record."

• [3] “If somewhere in the Bible I were to find a passage that said 2 + 2 = 5, I wouldn't question what I am reading in the Bible. I would believe it, accept it as true, and do my best to work it out and understand it."- Pastor Peter laRuffa

They're basically intolerant to evidence, which predisposes them to irrational thought, including the hatreds and prejudices taught them and the consequent intolerance (the religious intolerance of others). And like them, you've conceded that anything in your book will be believed by you just because it's in the book.

Piculet said:

I think a great amount of people on this forum are intolerant of both religion and religious people.

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You are the most intolerant poster in this thread.

It Aint Necessarily So said:

Shyness is a flaw in personality. Like the meekness that Christians like to claim is blessed, shyness is a poverty of spirit, a failure to assert oneself when it would be necessary or helpful. It's root is fear and insecurity, a form of cowardice.

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I think we've dealt enough with that. Muslims have different values from yours. It's difficult to explain why something you think is bad is actually good. Because that's just what you've always been taught. To think different, it takes a lot of studying.

It Aint Necessarily So said:

You are the most intolerant poster in this thread.

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I wouldn't be surprised. It is, after all, a thread designed for the atheists so they can bash the religious.

It Aint Necessarily So said:

Shyness is a flaw in personality.

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Says who?

The Surprising Similarities Between Shyness and Social Anxiety

She's So Shy

Piculet said:

I wouldn't be surprised. It is, after all, a thread designed for the atheists so they can bash the religious.

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If you honestly believe this is true, why are you here in this thread pretending to be a victim of the mean old atheists?

Piculet said:

Read the description rather than try to find a fitting word from the English language since we all know, there usually isn't one.

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Why bother posting English then since "we all know" there are no good words.

Mestemia said:

If you honestly believe this is true, why are you here in this thread pretending to be a victim of the mean old atheists?

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You need to allow for theistic meanies as well.

stvdv said:

The moment you judge a person (not speech/action !), it means you commit even blasphemy, and deny even the same "God" you claim to follow.

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Not everyone believes that but I do. And I do fall short in always living that belief.

sun rise said:

Not everyone believes that but I do. And I do fall short in always living that belief.

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You took my quote out of context (leaving out the first few words), and now it looks as if I made a claim, which would be even RF violation

Indeed for me this is also a constant exercise to stay vigilant.

sun rise said:

Why bother posting English then since "we all know" there are no good words.

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I think shyness is a good word, I just don't think it's something worth arguing about. It's good in my view and it's used by plenty of translators so I see no problem.

Mestemia said:

If you honestly believe this is true, why are you here in this thread pretending to be a victim of the mean old atheists?

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I enjoy debate sometimes.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

...the most intolerant people are very often those who are pursuaded by religious beliefs,... ...Are religious people more tolerant of human diversity, or are the non-religious more likely to be so?

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What do you think, does intolerance come from that one cares and people who tolerate everything, don’t really care about what happens to others? I think it is so and explains also why people with religious beliefs usually are intolerant to things they think are not good or are harmful to others.