I've always got the impression that America was not educated about other religions at all and that most American Catholics had no tolerance for other religions. How true is this?

No comment.



But in general there are always going to be intolerant people wherever you go, it isn't ever just one country it is simply more publicised in certain countries but there is prejudice and intolerance of certain religions and cultures wherever you go and they vary from place to place.

This should be named:

America and the american thinking their country is better than any other country and it is of course the center of the world..... And then Europe is another country and asia is some kind of suburb of LA´s chinatown

My freakin 11 grade english teacher hates muslims and Asian, so she passed all other races except 3 kids who were Asian n two middle Eastern kids cause theyre Muslim. **** her for making me went to summerschool. Anyway da bitch is white

That is illegal and extremely unethical and if she wasn't reported then your school is seriously ****ed up.

I'm an American Catholic and I respect anyone of any religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc... It doesn't matter what you believe. The fact is we all came from the same place. We either came from some higher power or via evolution. Either way, we were all created the same way so shouldn't we all respect each other.

from what I've seen, and I've been to America, Americans tend to think they are the center of the world, there for being very nationalists and thinking they are always right, wether it is about religion or other topic.. other then that, all good

This

It really is a big problem that is only being strained further by the situation with the Mosque being built near the 9/11 site

What is the religion of the black suit gentleman of The Simpsons?

Well, I think you're onto something with the statement that Americans are not educated about other religions. They aren't. I believe it's something like 75% of the total population that identifies as Christian. That's certainly an overwhelming majority, and I think it has definitely created a sort of mob mentality amongst American Christians that the United States is a country created for Christians first and foremost. Of course we rational minded ATRLers realize that such a statement is ********, goes against everything the constitution says about religion and everything the founding fathers intended, but it's not so clear to 50 year old men living in Kenosha, Wisconsin who grew up Christian, have only Christian friends, and know only the Christian faith. It sort of creates this mentality that if everyone you know is exactly like you, a practicing Christian who follows Christian codes, why should you have to be inclusive of anyone from a different faith, much less pay attention to the Christian overtones in the laws of your country or local government? I think it's important to note that this mentality isn't always as prevalent in more metropolitan areas where diversity of religion and multiculturality is more common and the citizens have embraced it or at least learned to deal with it. However, in America's rural "heartland" I am sad to report that the Jew, the Muslim, the Buddhist, the atheist and so on, are looked upon with suspicion and are most certainly assigned the "troublemaker" label if they dare to challenge the Christian authority that dominates life in these rural regions.

Its difficult to say whether Catholics are tolerant of other religions or not. I was raised in a strict Catholic household. We never missed mass, my mother prays the rosary every day, and we were made to adhere as closely as possible to Catholic rules/doctrine, or at least more so than I felt my Catholic friends were made to by their parents.*I think the idea that Catholics are not tolerant of other religions stems from the teachings of the church historically, the idea that some Catholics still hold onto teachings that have been done away with, and certain events in Catholic history (I mean, the whole Crusades thing, totally not cool and a total PR nightmare for the church centuries later!). In terms of teachings that make the church look intolerant, I think this is one good example (there are many others). The Catholic church originally taught that there was no salvation outside of the church, meaning anyone who was not Catholic would go to Hell. The church has since amended this idea and says that they do think some others besides Catholics are welcome in Heaven, but they are quick to note that they think other religions are "defective" for various reasons, and thus the idea of Catholic intolerance exists. Furthermore, I'm certain there are traditionalist Catholics that do not accept this slightly more inclusive view. I don't think of it so much as intolerance as I do arrogance, this idea that the Catholic church has it 100% correct while other religions only teach partial truths. My mother likes to remind me that if I ever do stray from the Catholic faith (little does she know) that I will lose my salvation, or that should I have children some day (keep dreaming) and I fail to raise them in the Catholic faith I will not be doing my duty because I have failed to expose them to the one true faith. "So," she continues "it is very important you find a nice young lady to marry who will not fight you on the kids being raised Catholic!" She's so not going to handle my coming out well... But it's statements like those coming from the mouths of crazy Catholic mothers around the globe that feed the intolerant Catholic stereotype. I don't think of my mom as intolerant of other religions, she has never said bad things about other religions as I recall, has many non-Catholic friends and is close to her husband's predominately Protestant family, but she is very adamant and unrelenting in her beliefs and is not necessarily open to a view that differs from of her own.

It's so ignorant to look at the stupid Americans and stick us all into one group. While I admit that there are many people who do believe we are the center of the world, I am not among them and it angers me to read those kinds of comments.

I am worried for you. You're the classic case. I'm happy you have grown up with such a healthy state of mind though; I don't think I could have managed as well as you have.

I know! Unfortunately, people from other countries seriously tend to generalize the American psyche when it is apparent that in America, just like every other country there are going to be those certain people who have pride for their country that might be mistakenly interpreted as disdain for another's.

Thank you.



I just have to say I think this thread is going to bring about a lot of hateful comments despite its original purpose. I can already feel an anti-American sentiment from the first page.

Exactly, it is not a new American phenomenon. I mean, look at France.

I agree every country has stupid people.

One of my best friends is French. She, along with her parents, are the exact opposite of the stereotype proving that it is just that--a stereotype.

I've been through my whole spirituality vs. sexuality dilemma, which was a mess, but ultimately a great experience for helping me understand who I am. I realize that when I do come out to my parents they are likely to have an adverse reaction, but I also like to believe that their love for their son overpowers the bad ideas that religion has planted in their heads about my "lifestyle" (hate calling it that). Plus, I think most parents are conscious of their closeted gay children on some level, so there comes a point where they don't try and press the issue. My mom hasn't preached to me about the benefits of finding a Catholic spouse or inquired about my romantic life in a couple years. I think on a subconscious level she gets it, and she just needs me to confirm it when the time is right.

I hope none of you are offended because I'm not generalizing Americans, I was just wondering how tolerant they would be of other religions. For example, if my Hindu father were to do his morning puja (prayers) in the backyard or on the lawn, would he be abused verbally or made fun of?

Depends on who sees him. Many of us are very tolerant, some are not. It is like this everywhere.