Father Matt Ashe, S.J. and the phenomenon of the broad brush

[MellowDem]

41. Skepticism of religion...

might intimidate religious people because it reveals their insecurities about their beliefs. But criticism and skepticism are not intended to intimidate, they're intended to find the truth, and that's scary for many religious believers. I know, I was once one myself (because I was indoctrinated in it as a child), and I would never question things that didn't make sense because it scared me, and others who did were intimidating, but only because of my own fear, of hell, of there not being a heaven, of dealing with the social consequences of not believing etc. etc., not because of the person themselves.

Believers, especially who subscribe to specific religions, will find their beliefs challenged on DU because it's a discussion forum and those beliefs often contradict liberal ideals. You may find it intimidating, but it's just discussion.

I have no problem with "believers" in general, but many believers subscribe to specific religions that lay out their belief system quite clearly, and those beliefs are in direct contradiction to liberal values many on here hold. I have no problem pointing out this contradiction and the cognitive dissonance it requires.

Non-believers usually don't think humans have all the answers.... so I'm not sure what "elitism" you are talking about. Religious belief, on the other hand, claims to have all the answers, even objective truths. True faith requires no humility. Believing in objective truths based on no evidence is arrogant.