Question(s) for the Religious

[Cyberman]

So let me make this personal then stimbo. What if I were to say something depraved and reprobate about your precious loved one. Taking her memory in vein in a deliberate ruse to rile you. Now how do you feel about my freedom to say what I want?

If your sole intent was to rile me, of course I'd get upset. That you haven't, as others have done before, speaks volumes as to the way you feel about that. But that wouldn't be addressing my personal beliefs, merely mocking my personal and deeply treasured memories in order to get a reaction from me. If you knew the two of us in real life and had some opinion or knowledge you felt the need to impart, of course I would listen. That in no way equates to someone questioning a person's beliefs. I'm not aware that doing so constitutes an attack on the person, nor any case where such was the sole purpose of the exchange (though I'm willing to accept the possibility), whereas what you describe would be a personal attack - indeed, as you describe it, that is the entire reason for doing so. Regardless, such exchanges of belief can be made amicably - at least at first. It seems to be when religious beliefs demand instant respect that the nastiness starts.

Incisentally, the word is "vain".

There would be no fun in you guys taking the piss as you do if it wasn't hurtful to someone. That's why you do it right? If it had no effect/ if no one could take offense, you'd have to find something else.

Wrong. If that were the case there would be no such thing as humour. Or indeed expression of one's beliefs of any kind. Some time ago I was paid a compliment here, in which I was described as being able to "disagree without being disagreeable" or words to that effect. You yourself have given kudos to many of my posts, humorous or otherwise. Obviously you could have done so for any number of reasons, but it does seem that you think that I at least can take the piss without the need to be hurtful.