Why do people believe in God?

[Major Nikon]

85. I believe you contradicted yourself

You say this:

I don't mean directly attacking individuals for their beliefs. I don't think I've actually seen that here, but I have seen many, many disparaging comments about God, religion in general, and Christianity, in particular (not just certain forms of it, but Christianity as a whole, as if ALL denominations are exactly the same and All Christians are homophobes, transphobes, racists, and misogynistic, when in fact nothing could be farther from the truth).

I'm not going to get into the last part of your accusation, which I'm pretty sure just isn't true other than to say if you think it is, some relevant examples are in order for it to be believable.

Then you say this:

I wish they would consider the fact that when they post those kinds of harsh insults at DU, they are in fact insulting many of their fellow DUers.

If someone isn't getting attacked for their beliefs, then they certainly shouldn't feel that way. If they see criticism of their faith as an attack on themselves, then that really is on them, not those offering such criticisms. So I think you are laying your blame of all this on the wrong people.

This is group is a place, and in fact the only place on DU, where people can have open discussions about religion. That means people are free to promote their beliefs here, but it also means people may offer criticism of that belief. If you look at all the harm caused by religion, you can pinpoint the reason it continued was because open criticism was forbidden. I think what you are asking for doesn't do anyone any good regardless of what they believe or not. Just as religion should be free to promote itself, so should anyone be free to condemn it.