Is it "insulting" to refer to god as "mythical"?

[Anonymous]

I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

It's really not that hard -- as long as they acknowledge these are their "beliefs." The problem is when they insist it's truth. Then it's hard to keep one's mouth shut. I mean they are insulting your intelligence, so they should equally avoid doing that.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's insulting to refer to gods as mythical when myths are simply stories about supernatural creatures and events that people believe/d in. Nor is it insulting to call ghosts and angels "supernatural." These terms simply describe whether these things are knowable and provable, or not.

I think what people with these types of beliefs have a hard time with is the shift in society away from one religion being dominant, playing a heavy role in culture. People envision a past where their faith and church-attendance were respected, not compared to some obviously ridiculous ancient mythology.

If someone says they believe in something I find fantastical, I just nod politely. I would never snicker or debate them. But they probably sense that I'm not impressed either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people who currently believe in the Christian god would not respond so respectfully. They might ultimately be respectful, but I suspect their first reaction to people to profess belief in Egyptian or greek gods would be incredulity and derision. Maybe similar to someone who said they were an atheist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have asked these questions every time someone claims a non-believer is "insulting" and no one replies. Another PP suggested its own thread so here it is:

1. Is it "insulting" to refer to god as "mythical"? Why?

2. Is it insulting to compare a god to another god or mythical being knowing people who believe in one don't believe in the other? Why?

3. Those of you who believe in one god: do you think the other gods are "mythical"? Why?

Thoughtful replies only, please. If you don't like the questions you don't have to respond at all. However all views are welcome as long as they are thoughtful and not trolls or insults.

I think it is because the questions aren’t really asked in good faith. Good faith conversations would use proper capitalization of proper nouns, for example. Your studious refusal to capitalize “God” is exhibit one of your trolling. And trolling is insulting.

DP -- I would guess that you, pp, are religious, and in your religion, "God" is one being who comes with a capital letter. Not all sentences are contructed this way and people are not being inherently insulting when they do not capitalize the word "god" in a sentence. Perhaps you could be more open-minded about that, assuming that you can be accepting of differing religious views.

No, I am not religious, actually. But I am an editor and the Christian “God” I reasonably infer is being discussed in this context is capitalized as a proper noun. People who act in good faith and want a respectful discussion generally abide by norms such as grammar. It’s kind of like a conservative who wants a conversation about “democrat” policies (instead of Democratic) or liberals who refer to “rethuglicans.” The premise is undercut by the presentation. It’s not hard to capitalize “God” in this context if you are genuinely interested in an answer — studiously refusing to do is a red flag from the start.

Thanks for the explanation. "Studiously refusing to do so" is different from not knowing. I didn't know and I wouldn't be surprised if some religious people didn't know and didn't notice.

Also, it seems like mind reading to infer that pp is not acting in good faith. And, even as a non-editor, it seems to me that not capitalizing God is not the same as using the made-up, purposely insulting term "rethuglicans".

I disagree. Given context of the premise it is purposefully insulting to not capitalize God in this context. Ignorance is no excuse because if you really want to have a good-faith discussion you should do a bare minimum of research. You’re completely full of shit and trying to stir the pot under a guise of civility.

[Anonymous]

Have read some of the comments but I will answer in the way that I think you mean for us to answer.

We didn't raise my child with religion. My child loves mythology - all of it. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse. I think they would have enjoyed the stories of the bible, the parables. Unfortunately, sending this child to CCD might have appeared as blasphemous if he was approaching this from viewing stories in the bible as myths.

But calling God a mythical creature would come across as insensitive at best, insulting at worst - to a believer, that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

This is an anonymous forum. How do you know you have not "run into someone that currently believes"?

This is the point. If it is offensive for one god, it is offensive for all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have read some of the comments but I will answer in the way that I think you mean for us to answer.

We didn't raise my child with religion. My child loves mythology - all of it. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse. I think they would have enjoyed the stories of the bible, the parables. Unfortunately, sending this child to CCD might have appeared as blasphemous if he was approaching this from viewing stories in the bible as myths.

But calling God a mythical creature would come across as insensitive at best, insulting at worst - to a believer, that is.

Do you mean the Judeo-Christian god that many people today believe in? I assume so, but am not sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

This is an anonymous forum. How do you know you have not "run into someone that currently believes"?

This is the point. If it is offensive for one god, it is offensive for all of them.

I think this is not true for a lot of current Christians, who only seem to take offense when their god is not treated in a way that they consider properly respectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have read some of the comments but I will answer in the way that I think you mean for us to answer.

We didn't raise my child with religion. My child loves mythology - all of it. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse. I think they would have enjoyed the stories of the bible, the parables. Unfortunately, sending this child to CCD might have appeared as blasphemous if he was approaching this from viewing stories in the bible as myths.

But calling God a mythical creature would come across as insensitive at best, insulting at worst - to a believer, that is.

What makes you think God is a "creature." That, I think, would mean it was "created". But that's not the church's theology on this, is it?
God could be a force. And, as discussed previously, there are billions of people on earth and probably as many different definitions of what God is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people who currently believe in the Christian god would not respond so respectfully. They might ultimately be respectful, but I suspect their first reaction to people to profess belief in Egyptian or greek gods would be incredulity and derision. Maybe similar to someone who said they were an atheist.

NP. You seem to be underlying the whole point: it's disrespectful to diss somebody's belief in anything by calling it mythical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

This is an anonymous forum. How do you know you have not "run into someone that currently believes"?

This is the point. If it is offensive for one god, it is offensive for all of them.

I think this is not true for a lot of current Christians, who only seem to take offense when their god is not treated in a way that they consider properly respectful.

Perhaps if DCUM's atheists didn't go after Christians, and only Christians, you wouldn't be able to make this claim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not religious, bordering on atheist. Although I would refer to the Christian God as mythical within my circle of non-believers, I know saying that to religious people would be offensive.
Just respect other people’s religious beliefs. Is it really that hard?

I can respect other people's religious beliefs, and a question like this rarely, if ever, comes up in real life. Still I cannot understand why the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek gods are called "myth" but if we call the story of Genesis and the miracles in the NT "myth" then that's somehow "offensive." They're all very similar and "myth" isn't necessarily a dirty word.

PP. If I ran into someone that currently believes in those deities, I would be just as respectful.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people who currently believe in the Christian god would not respond so respectfully. They might ultimately be respectful, but I suspect their first reaction to people to profess belief in Egyptian or greek gods would be incredulity and derision. Maybe similar to someone who said they were an atheist.

NP. You seem to be underlying the whole point: it's disrespectful to diss somebody's belief in anything by calling it mythical.

That's insulting to the word "myth." It is just an attempt to explain how things happen that are beyond our five senses.