Is the word "infidel" insulting?

[Martinus]

This is about the word "kuffar" which I understand is Arabic for "infidel". Would you say it is insulting/offensive or is it just a description of a fact from the perspective of a believer?

I'm curious at Languish opinion.

[Eddie Teach]

Kuffar is about as insulting as kaffir.

[crazy canuck]

Would you be insulted if someone were to call you a Goy? 

[Martinus]

Would you be insulted if someone were to call you a Goy?

Not really. And for the record I don't find infidel/kuffar offensive either. For me it's the same as me, as a non-religious person, calling religious persons naive. Some people apparently do find it offensive, though. I am just curious what Languish thinks.

[Razgovory]

I'm not offended.

[Norgy]

"Kaffir" is pretty insulting in South Africa. But I don't mind being called an "infidel dog".

[Razgovory]

It's like when Marty calls me a "cretin".  It's one of those quaint and inexplicable things people in the third world say.

[Martinus]

"Kaffir" is pretty insulting in South Africa. But I don't mind being called an "infidel dog".

Dogs are cool. Not as cool as cats, but still.

[Barrister]

Would you be insulted if someone were to call you a Goy?

Not really. And for the record I don't find infidel/kuffar offensive either. For me it's the same as me, as a non-religious person, calling religious persons naive. Some people apparently do find it offensive, though. I am just curious what Languish thinks.

"naive" is somewhat insulting, as it is making a judgment on someone else's beliefs.

"infidel"... I suppose you could make the argument that it's merely a statement of fact, with no judgment involved, but I don't buy it.  I don't think it's a very useful word, and it is insulting.  Hell even in a church service I've never heard the word used.  When discussing people of differing beliefs it makes more sense to either properly identify them (i.e. call them muslims or jews), or go with a more neutral term like non-believer.

[mongers]

"Kaffir" is pretty insulting in South Africa. But I don't mind being called an "infidel dog".

Dogs are cool. Not as cool as cats, but still.

QFT.

This is you most logical and factually correct statement of 2015 sofar. 

[Martinus]

I would imagine it could be insulting to people who are actually religious, but belong to different religions.

[Martinus]

"Kaffir" is pretty insulting in South Africa. But I don't mind being called an "infidel dog".

Dogs are cool. Not as cool as cats, but still.

QFT.

This is you most logical and factually correct statement of 2015 sofar. 

[mongers]

Would you be insulted if someone were to call you a Goy?

Not really. And for the record I don't find infidel/kuffar offensive either. For me it's the same as me, as a non-religious person, calling religious persons naive. Some people apparently do find it offensive, though. I am just curious what Languish thinks.

"naive" is somewhat insulting, as it is making a judgment on someone else's beliefs.

"infidel"... I suppose you could make the argument that it's merely a statement of fact, with no judgment involved, but I don't buy it.  I don't think it's a very useful word, and it is insulting.  Hell even in a church service I've never heard the word used.  When discussing people of differing beliefs it makes more sense to either properly identify them (i.e. call them muslims or jews), or go with a more neutral term like non-believer.

I agree and context is all; if someone called my that to my face and with a degree of anger, I'd be tempted to issue a 2015-like Papal injunction. 

[Martinus]

I wish Brits would have known the "context" of this thread. 

[Eddie Teach]

"naive" is somewhat insulting, as it is making a judgment on someone else's beliefs.

"infidel"... I suppose you could make the argument that it's merely a statement of fact, with no judgment involved, but I don't buy it.  I don't think it's a very useful word, and it is insulting.  Hell even in a church service I've never heard the word used.  When discussing people of differing beliefs it makes more sense to either properly identify them (i.e. call them muslims or jews), or go with a more neutral term like non-believer.

Wouldn't a Christian use the word "heathen" instead?