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Isn't religion really just an opinion? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by illectrility@sh.itjust.works to c/atheism@feddit.de

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So, recently I was talking to a friend and somehow we got to talking about religion and stuff. When I complained that religion is often put on a huge pedestal and that it's really just a glorified opinion and should be subject to the same criticism as any other opinion, they told me that that was a really hot take.

According to them, belief and religion is more than just an opinion since it's such a big part of people's lives. I countered that opinions are also big parts of people's lives and personalities. I mean, a huge chunk of your personality is based on your opinions, right?

We agreed to disagree but I kept thinking about it. I don't get why religion shouldn't just be treated like any other opinion just because people tend to cling to it. I get that ~~it~~ people are emotionally invested but that's not just the case with religion but other opinions too. I would appreciate your thoughts to help me understand better, is it really a hot take?

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[–] illectrility@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, "an opinion" is poorly chosen phrasing. Obviously, it's lots and lots of opinions. Should've chosen my words better.

Next time the topic comes up, do you think it would be better if I said that religious beliefs are a huge set of opinions that form a person's core beliefs and that these opinions and as a result the beliefs should be subject to scrutiny and criticism, just like non-religious opinions and beliefs? Is that phrased better or still "wrong" but put into different words?

[–] letmesleep@feddit.de 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Next time the topic comes up, do you think it would be better if I said that religious beliefs are a huge set of opinions that form a person’s core beliefs and that these opinions and as a result the beliefs should be subject to scrutiny and criticism, just like non-religious opinions and beliefs? Is that phrased better or still “wrong” but put into different words?

Absolutely. That makes much easier to find fair comparisions. After all not all religous beliefs are held deeply and many non religious people have beliefs that are incredibly important to them. E.g. the no alcohol ruls in Islam isn't especially well adhered to among Muslism in Western countries wheras your average atheist vegan will go ballistic if you try to make them eat pork.

[–] illectrility@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Gotcha, thank you so much for your input! It helped a ton