Does Religion Encourage Bullying?

[beso]

A discussion of bullying was a focus on Australia's national radio broadcaster recently and listeners were invited to tell of their experiences. One contributor spoke of their schoolyard experience as a bully when he was a child. He attributed much of his behaviour to being brought up in a religious family where he was constantly told that he and his family were better then everyone else because of their faith.

Many survivors of religious educational institutions speak of the bullying behaviour of nuns and brothers.

Is the "holier than thou" attitude a major contributor to the bully problem?

[woofgang]

I think its an excuse.....like war, and prejudice...people who are going to want to look down on and/or bully will find an excuse to do it. I also understand that many (?most) bullies bully because they feel that they are not as good/clever/handsome as other people so resort to bullying to boost their self esteem, also they may have been bullied themselves...it certainly sounds like the contributor may fall into the category of those who have had their self esteem damaged by being forced to live up to an unnattainable standard....but of it wasn’t religion, it would have been schoolwork, sporting prowess, social status or some other excuse IMO

[TheChair]

Opposite of my experience at school: my brother and I were beaten up by group of kids for not being "Christian enough".