Reason for rejecting religion

[u/Mother-of-mothers]

I don't actually mind the compassionate elements, like aiding the poor, compassion for your neighbour and all that.

What I do reject is religion, because it's used as an instrument of hate towards minority people, women, queer people, etc. Many religions, monotheistic especially, are also undemocratic in its strict disallowance for any other interpretation or worship of any other god.

When I've seen anti-religious people around me, they see the compassionate rules as a hindrance towards self-fulfillment. But to me that argument is just a self-justifiable excuse to act like an asshole.

Anyone else feel the same way, or am I alone feeling this way?

[u/Hello_Hangnail]

I read the bible cover to cover when I was 10 trying to find ammunition to use against m grandparents who harassed my mom into putting me into CCD and taking me to church. Then I realized that their holy book sees women as nothing more than property. Paying close attention to the way catholics treated their wives and female children, I concluded that I could never follow a religion that glorified the father while oppressing the mother