Is Christianity the main target in anti-religion discussions?

"Religious" to me refers to organized Christian churches, their members, beliefs and teachings, rather than any other religious affirmation, such as Muslim and Judaism. I think it is because Christianity is far and away the predominant religion not only in the USA, but also amongst most other Western world populations. It's what I am familiar, and grew up with. Most people around me are Christian.

Also, while admittedly a completely nonpracticing Christian, I am somewhat familiar with the fundamental principals of Christianity (eg God, Jesus, the Bible, the commandments, sin, etc). Though I lack any meaningful knowledge of, say, Judaism (even though many of my closest friends are Jewish), their beliefs are far enough detached from my understanding of Christianity that they cease to be thought of as practicing a religion. I have a difficult time accepting a non-Christian person as religious, for instance, if Jesus is not believed to be fundamentally important to that religion.

I must be setting Christianity as a sort of "gold standard", inadvertantly. If other non-Christian beliefs don't come close to this standard, they apparently cease to be considered a religion by me.

Good question.

Judi, since TBD began I have seen numerous posts assuming Christian beliefs, advocating Christian points of view, intruding Christian positions, and teaching Christian Bible lessons. I have yet to see ONE proselytizing for any other religion or even for non-religion. Anyone else putting forth any other theistic or atheistic position here is going to be greatly outnumbered.

Thank you, TonyA, for getting us started. Do you really think Christianity is indeed the predominant 'religion', or perhaps the most vocal? The comments I have heard from non-Christians, or those no longer supportive of the basic beliefs of Christianity, is that Christians are always in their face, vocally obnoxious, etc. Do you think that is a valid assertion?

Isadora, thank you for participating in this discussion.

I think I understand what you are saying. I went into the "atheist" discussion group and was outnumbered, out-gunned (so to speak), and told in no uncertain terms that I was not wanted there. Did I return? Not on your life!! - lol It wasn't because I was outnumbered, though, it was because I was not wanted.

When you hear of 'organized religion', is Christianity the first religion you think of? If so, why do you think that is?

Hi, Isadora.I am brand new to computers and this is my very first chat room discussion and I found your comments very interesting. Christians have been maligned, stereo-typed and generally misunderstood for so long now that it is refreshing to have a forum where Christians can start to find their voice again. Since Christians fundamentally believe that God is in control we tend to take a lot on the chin and maybe this web site provides the opportunity to share with like minded people. There are, however, many sites devoted to non-religion so if that is what you seek they are available. If you would like to get a better understanding of many Christians this web site sounds like the place to do it. I find it interesting that any organization under the sun can have a voice but throw the word "Christian" in there and every one gets their knickers in a bunch and wants to lambaste and even shut down any place where two or more are gathered in His name. I wonder why that is?

Judi: To reply to your question - it's not Christians in general who are obnoxious, or in my face. It's the church when it gets involved in politics or legal issues (less so when addressing social or "conscience" matters). Without stereotyping too much, I am particularly referring to southern US religions, Baptists, I guess.

I thought about this some more over the past few minutes ... that a non-Christian religion, Judaism, I pretty well consider a religion now. This is mainly because of my Jewish friends, who, by the way they pray, attend synagogue, speak Hebrew, etc, are clearly "religious people" in my eyes. So, I wonder if my categorizing other religious believers such as Muslims, as being non-religious, is partially my ignorance and unfamiliarity showing up.

I hear you on the politics & legal issues, and agree!

I know many Christians who DO believe in separation of church and state; however, when I tell someone that I'm a Christian, it is automatically assumed that I'm a Bible-thumping, hell & damnation, picketing & political misfit. How fair is that? Yet Christians are told THEY are the ones that are judgmental. Yes, many Christians ARE judgmental, but our God is so very against that!

Another new discussion group has begun this week, I believe, on religion vs. Christianity. We might want to check that one out to see if we can gain a better understanding of the differences.