Why are those who claim to be the most religious often the most judgmental and critical?

That seems to be a common problem by many, most ironically by those who claim to Christians in fact, who FAIL TO SEE the errors in their own ways!

Peace be with you!

Well said, I can't count the times that people on this site and in public have demeaned me for my religion. I believe that there are many paths to enlightenment and I am happy that they have found a religion they are happy with, I wish they'd return the courtesy.

It amazes me the resilliance of some of the people who have walked away from CHristianity to find their own path. They face so much criticism and negativity for walking away and they still shine through. Wicca is the fastest growing religion in the US and I think that scares some Christians who don't understand us.

I'm hoping that more people will be open with their religion and that will lead to more acceptance and tolerance of Wicca and all religions.

Below is a link to a perfect example of hateful Christians and Wiccans with a sense of humor.

Well my fellow Astros fan. I will put it this way us Christians are told to go and spread the message. We are no to stop when someone say I am Wicca or I am atheist. How do you feel when you find diehard Cardinal fans in Houston?

Religion is exclusive as matter of fact, so most religious people will tend to exclude others form their particular "heaven". This is what gets them clients.

I am very weary of religious fanatics and though I've Had a number of friends who fall within that category and always "tried" to understand them, I find that they are the quickest to pass judgment, and even worse, to betray you. The last of these characters I befriended is a "Gay Christian" who claimed Jesus Christ was his friend and that he talked to him. He is adopted and blames his adoptive father for most of his problems. So after living a very nice life at his father's expense (he is a "successful lawyer"), he casts him out as a sinner, a drunk and a failure (go figure that out, talk about biting the hand that feeds you), sends him to live out with far away miserable relatives and comes out of the closet, all the while with a feeling of superiority, because Christ revealed all this to him.

Needless to say, after 15 years of friendship, this character, out of nowhere decided to betray me, though he does not think so, literally stole 50 thousand from me. So go figure. This guy also had a "boyfriend who recently died of AIDS. At some point, while he cried and sobbed all over me, he told me that he was not going to provide him with the corresponding cocktail because they both had a revelation according to which he would be saved by the grace of JC, provided he would become a pastor. Needless to say, he did not become a pastor and he is now dead, therefore saving my former Friend a couple thousand dollars which he could more enjoyably invest in buying 3 or 4 pair of Ferragamo shoes. I kid you not!

The reason is this. There is a basic difference between being religious and being spiritual. Someone who is spiritual will freely loves others because he is connected both to God and to his fellow man. But a religious person- no matter what the religion- is trying to prove his worthiness to God by what he thinks are good works. This person is not free to love because he is insecure. A person who is judgemental and critical can be said to be bound with a religious spirit

Because, if a person is super religious, there is a good chance that they think that they have made it.... they are it... they are at the top. They think that they can look down on everybody else because they are on the top looking down on those trying to make it to the top. It is a sick reality.

That is not what Jesus teaches. Jesus teaches us not to be respecter of persons, and not to think more highly than we ought. Also, we should not judge others... we can correct them telling then that they are doing something wrong if we have scripture to back us up... but we shouldn't be telling people what to do just because we feel that we are right and they are wrong.

Remember though, judging someone and telling someone that they are on their way to hell because they have sinned and need Jesus' free gift of salvation are two differnt things.

Mathematical formula

Judgmental Factor equals Religious Backgrounds times Parental Influence divided by the dearth of critical thinking.

I think that sometimes rather than focusing on God, people can't take their eyes off of themselves or others. The Pharisees were very religious- they knew the Scriptures inside and out, backward and forward, yet, though they KNEW them they did not apply them to their hearts and lives. They had all the head knowledge but no heart knowledge. That's what makes the difference.

Religions present also a very clear division, what is good and what is bad, full of dogmas. And maybe people who like dogmas select to be religious as well.

Your remark seems to be correct. I am atheist, but I was shocked reading a title of one TV program "Victorious word of a Christian". I thought also: do they feel lack of victories today? Is it something in the psychology of this religion?

actually religion = dogma meaning set rules. if you have a strict set of rules to live by chances are you wont live by them. If you are commanded to love someone rather than love them on your own terms you will more than likely resent them. I like it when God has a lighter touch and not a stranglehold in my life. Its all about Balance. yes there are grey areas and most people whould rather be either a pure white or a pure black but there is no *pure evil* nor *pure good*