Point of order:

Calling out factually incorrect beliefs is not the same thing as "bashing". For example, if someone believes that the Universe is 6,000 years old, or that no species ever alive evolved from another, and these are cornerstones of their belief system, these are factually wrong and should be corrected. How these beliefs then reflect on a belief in a Creator entity is up to the person involved to decide.

And then, of course, we have the realm of politics, which you didn't bring up, but which currently contains a very fertile ground for bashing, especially when there are so many verifiable factual statements that are being misstated.

Now, the manner in which one goes about correcting can be seen as "bashing", but that's subjective. Surely you're not calling for errors of fact to be left unchallenged for eternity?

My policy is don't mess with me and I will not mess with you. Unfortunately, the "other people" who believe, are obligated to proselytize, thus they feel the right to bash all non-believers. Sorry, but I won't take shit from anyone, they bash me I bash them twice as hard.

Wouldn't happen if they didn't attack us so often, evidently they don't believe in live and let live

No. We don’t have the right to bash other people. But if your beliefs are ridiculous, superstitious, bigoted or anti-facts, we have every right to bash them.

God? Holy Trinity? Virgin birth? Holy visions of the saints? The earth and universe is only 6,500 years old? Alien abductions? Faked moon landings? Flat earth? or how about the latest one I heard that Australia does not exist?
At what point do you call foul and say "bullshit"?

As long as their beliefs continue to endanger health, lives, laws, education, children's futures, the climate, and personal freedoms, yeah I'm going to bash it, oppose it, fight it at every given opportunity. This isn't a matter of benign disagreement, this is a matter of survival, fighting for what's right, and standing up for the weak.

You do not think one person has the right, or even social obligation, to question the beliefs of another if they see those beliefs as unsound?
Where is that line, in the questioning, disagreement with, or expression of said disagreement.

If someone believes human sacrifice is good, am I not obligated to disagree with them, even if the whole damn world thinks it is good?

Perhaps not - though, in truth, you do have a right to free speech.

And you DO have a right to tell people they're wrong - just as you can do if they say the Earth is flat, vaccines cause autism, or chinchillas sing Italian Grand Opera.

Also, if people use their religious beliefs to justify bigotry, injustice, intollerance, prejudice, or racism then you have not only a right to call them out for their unacceptable behaviour, you have an active moral duty to do so.

Then, if people are actively indoctrinating children in their religious beliefs, and demanding that it is their 'religious right' to demand that schools do likewise, then it is right and proper to object, and to do so with conviction.

People have a right to believe what they want - but that freedom to believe does NOT grant them any right to treat OTHERS unjustly or improperly on the basis of their beliefs. The freedom to believe is NOT the same as being free to impose, or demand, or discriminate, or persecute BASED on your beliefs - and you are RIGHT to make that point, LOUDLY.

That depends on what is being proffered as to whether I will bash.
I make no promises

I used to be a member of sceptics group who's slogan was "attack the idea not the person" which sounds right to me. The problem occurs when the person is so tied to those ideas or beliefs that they are inseparable and they feel that if you attack the idea you are attacking them.

I'm not sure what prompted this post, but if it's people's comments here on this site that is upsetting you, my feeling is that Agnostic.com is a "safe place" where we can say what we really feel, without hurting anyone's feelings, since we're all agnostic anyway.

Some of us may need to vent our frustrations that the religious people in our lives sometimes trample on our rights, or make us feel less than human, so rather than say hurtful things to their faces, we may vent our pent up anger here, and find some peace and calm in doing so.

Why do people think they can believe any ridiculous nonsense and the rest of the world owes their delusions respect? People deserve respect, but if they are so attached to their beliefs that they can't differentiate between a human being and an idea, what do they expect? Ideas and beliefs do not advance if they are not challenged. If you cannot defend your views against criticism, perhaps you should reconsider your views.

Did the beliefs of the Manson family deserve respect? What about those of the "devout" christians in the KKK? Or Warren Jeffs?

I will defend anyone's right to believe whatever they want, but if I think any of those beliefs are absurd or dangerous I the right to criticize, bash, mock, make fun of or scorn any of those beliefs! Religious people have bashed atheism for millennia and have bashed atheists for that matter.

So are you telling me that if someone told you that they believe in superman or the wicked witch you wouldn't think they are stupid or insane? What's the difference?

To their face? No that's rude.

Here on a site full of agnostics and atheists? We get to poke fun now and then.

We take a lot of slams out in the world for being as we are - I think it's ok to let off steam.

no problem with others beliefs . . problem when they want me to conform to them

And what if they are using the government, laws and their privileged status to force you to conform to their nonsensical beliefs?

Yes it does. Ideas are always up for criticism. As a matter of fact, some might consider criticizing bad ideas as an obligation we have to humanity. Beliefs are fair game. Where did you get the idea that anybody has a right to not be offended?

Actually, this is a public forum and any belief or idea is susceptible of bashing. It is par for the course. Those with skin so thin are welcomed to leave. There is no idea, theory, belief, or comment that is required to be treated with kiddy gloves. Such is life and such is the realm of ideas; very interesting and stimulating. Why would anyone want to turn life and these discussions into boring endeavors by setting “do not touch” signs all over the place?

I don't think that pointing out some of the absurdities in certain religions and beliefs that defies logic and common sense is bashing others. It is stating the obvious that the religious people refuse or are unable to figure out, and they just blindly accept.

Bashing people’s beliefs is a divisive phrase, but if you say, exposing the falsehoods of others beliefs you’re not imposing physical violence into the imagery. I think exposing false claims is our social responsibility.

I believe in generally trying to be respectful and tolerant of people who think differently than I do. However, I also believe that it's unreasonable to expect intelligent, thoughtful human beings not to criticize or speak harshly at times of absurd, immoral, or harmful ideas or beliefs (e.g. certain fundamentalist Christian or Islamic teachings) or of those who advocate them.

Ideas are always legitimate targets of criticism.

Some people bring condemnation or harsh criticism upon their own heads. Examples would be Trump, white supremacists, televangelists, etc. But in general, I try personally to hold a respectful attitude towards people who disagree with me, at least until they give me some clear reason to do otherwise.

Donald, I believe that 4 plus 4 = 95.345 and 7/8. SHAME on YOU if you disagree and bash me for believing this for ANY reason whatsoever

And also, I'd like make my answer THE LAW

I basically agree given that the term you used is "bashing". I see nothing wrong with challenging or questioning beliefs of others.

A am friendly with those who believe things I don't. I welcome them to try convincing me, but I demand facts and evidence, not blind belief. So far, the evidence I've collected points to religion being a scam based on a myth. This is not bashing religion. It is stating the facts.