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What do football, iPhone and Harry Potter have in common? At first glance, nothing, but if you think about it - each has a colossal army of loyal fans who devote a lot of time to their favorite thing, know everything or almost everything about even the smallest details, and, most importantly, are ready to die on this hill for their beliefs.

In other words, the same characteristics that religion had for the vast majority of mankind just a couple of hundred years ago. Remember the Crusades, religious wars and other "charms" of the Middle Ages? Yes, now religious fanaticism has significantly decreased, but worship of new idols has definitely taken its place.

This was also noticed by the topic starter of one of the threads in the AskReddit community, who just a few days ago asked the question: "What is not a religion, but people treat it with the same attention?" And so, as of today, the thread already has over 34.8K upvotes and around 27.7K different and sometimes extremely pathetic comments.

Bored Panda made a list for you that includes the most interesting and popular elements of the original thread. Sports and brands, music legends and internet traditions - all that make people worship them so devotedly. So feel free to scroll to the very end (literally everything is interesting there!), mark what you definitely agree with and, of course, don't forget to write your point of view straight in the comments!

More info: Reddit

#1

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) elon musk. he’s annoying, he’s not saving the world so please shut up about what a selfless person he is. he exploits his workers. stop being annoying fanboys. don’t worship billionaires

p0rkch0ps , JD Lasica Report

#2

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) The way Americans talk about their constitution is very reminiscent of religion.

They worship it, but they haven't read it in a long time. Maybe never.

They insist that you should respect it, even if you're not a member of the cult.

They tend to assume that a justification for every opinion they have is in there somewhere.

They treat the men who wrote it as if they're prophets.

They can become sullen, withdrawn, or even hostile when you say it's wrong and requires serious alteration.

Bizarre_Protuberance , fdecomite Report

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#5

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Antivaxism

Few-Author-4971 , Presidencia de la República Mexicana Report

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Tammilee Truitt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Problem in States is when ANYTHING is made mandatory people flip out and think somehow their freedoms are being threatened.

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#7

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Mommy groups. Started getting completely out of hand when my kids were teenagers. I'm a crunchy mom, I'm this kind of mom, or that kind of mom. Those people get rabid. How DARE YOU listen to advice given to you from a doctor about your individual child, MY group thinks "THIS". Heresy! Blasphemy! We will CRUCIFY you!

They used to helpful, now they are f*****g cults.

SubstantialPressure3 , English106 Report

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keighterz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned very quickly not to ask other moms for advice, especially on the internet. Go to the experts, folks.

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#8

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Scientology

CatJudgement , isghoul Report

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Jaguarundi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Germany considers it to be a scam, I can only hope that the US can follow that lead soon.

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#10

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Workaholism / hustle culture.

trashpanda44224422 , Brent Ozar Report

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And i was like WTF!!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this so... weird. I mean, it is cool that you work like 60 hours a week and so your boss can say bravo, but i want to work as much as i am payed, do my 8 hours a day and go and spend time with my wife, kids, friends or just by myself

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#13

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Gender ideology (aka the pseudoscience surrounding transgenderism). I say this as a trans person. If you do not follow a woke belief system to the very letter you are treated like an apostate. The left used to be very areligious but it is all spiritual gender woo woo stuff now.

Manaxium , Mack Male Report

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InvincibleRodent
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See, the use of the word "woke" is what concerns me in this one. Their gender identity notwithstanding, cis or trans, anyone who refers to someone as "woke" in order to dismiss them, I can't trust to comment on the issue they're talking about.

Vix Spiderthrust
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree. The word "woke" is a placeholder word for when people aren't really sure what they mean.

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Amber Fox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a trans person myself, I've seen no evidence of this. None at all.

Julia Nolan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's unusual, but not unheard of. Among certain groups referring to, say, a "pregnant woman" (vs. a "pregnant person with a uterus") or saying something like, "women with PCOS" (vs. "ovary havers with PCOS") gets flamed. It's not common, but it has happened.

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DubstepBlade
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not trans, but why do people diss other people just because they identify as something different?

Wren Hard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

like, water? or air? or a plant? a dog? Sorry to break it to you but THESE ARE NOT GENDERS

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El Dee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's only when you think about the concept of 'gender' in language that you realise what it does. Using 'her' or him' to relate a story is simply telling you the person has a certain set of genitalia. If that's relevant to the story, fine. But it rarely is. Why did we ever need these words anyway??

Julia Nolan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me, at least, using he vs. she allows me to identify a character without having to name them at least some of the time. (e.g. "Sarah and Paul walked into the resteraunt. She pulled out his chair for him.") It won't clear matters up 100% of the time, but it can simplify things. (You'd probably see the same sentence differently if it was "Sarah and Paul walked into the restaurant. They pulled out their chair for them.")

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AlwaysHotTakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad more people are talking about this, it's becoming a real problem.

Mary Elliott
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lumping everybody on the left together is as obnoxious as assuming all transgendered people are the same. I'm a life-long liberal and I assure you I could less about me or anybody else being "woke" and I sure as Hell don't believe any spiritual gender woo. Stereotypes are never a good thing.

Peter Buckley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People mistake liberal culture for the left. The left is political, it doesn't embrace individualism.

Calvin Bure
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People should just stop using labels anyway, they're inaccurate and cause confusing. Why do we even need them?

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RavenTheCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look i dont understand transgenders, and im not against it. I myself am a gay dude hut i cant stand the LGBTQ community, downvote me if you want but their obnoxious. All i want is for you to be true to yourself. Even if I dont understand it, i dont disrespect it, be you . Please but don't cram it down everyone's throat. (Not you i mean certain individuals)

PADNA
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutelly disagree. Last time i checked, biology and physical differences exist. That being said, i give 0 fcks as to how one dresses of what hobbies they have.

Ivan Petrov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being religious and being spiritual are not the same in many cases. But it's still fantasy magic and wishful thinking.

Ann M Clinkscales
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so true. I wonder what the next issue will be!! Todayvtransgender, tomorrow computer programmers!!

Tanya Michelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This really needs to be higher...this EXACT issue really baffles me, and I think about it way too much. Just cause people are "woke" dont mean they are nondiscriminatory.

David Zumwalt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100%. I'm conservative and liberal. We don't have to all have the same opinions.

Lynne Walker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to one gender reveal...felt awkward. It's not a preference; at this point, it's just biology. Never again.

PaxScientia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at Bored Panda trying to be all controversial. It's hard to judge this one since the OP doesn't tell us what they consider "woo woo stuff." Presumably they don't think that being trans is made up, since they are trans, so where do they draw the line?

StarlightPanda!
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Red
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Exactly they all need mental counseling not encouragement and definitely not shoving that s**t down kids throats

dingo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean shoving things down kids throats like public heterosexuality on billboards? You just care because you don’t want to see it. Say what you mean weirdo.

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Istax
Community Member
2 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Thank you for pointing this out! I still can't believe that some people actually believe in the nonsense that Gender Ideologues are spewing (that twelve-year-olds should be given experimental, life-altering drugs & irreversible surgery, that fully-developed males should compete against females in sport, that violent convicted child molesters, sex offenders, and rapists should be locked in prisons with vulnerable women, etc.)

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#14

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Disney. Especially when you go down to Florida.

Alpha_Solid , Michael Rehfeldt Report

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keighterz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disney adults are weird and you cannot convince me otherwise. I have my fandoms, yes, but I'm not making a yearly trip to a special theme park like it's Mecca.

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#15

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Brands in general.

People praising Adidas, Apple, Hugo Boss, etc.

Spaceman_Beard , adifansnet Report

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#16

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Politics

CrunchM , Jack Report

#17

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Fraternities and Sororities. Down to the recruitment/shunning culture

abhiwan_kenobi , Mike Report

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The Idaho Potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also can't even pronounce Greek the right way. "GGGGGAMMA", "BETA", "PHYYYYY", "DDDDELTA" (γβφδ). I may be exaggerating but still.

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#18

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Crypto

avellinoblvd , QuoteInspector.com Report

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No dude, crypto is as scammy and religiony as the stockmarket. Sure, some people are obsessed with it, yep. But so are stockbrokers.

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#19

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) astrology zodiac signs

dohrn1i , morebyless Report

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

let's see. Unscientific. Check. Magic. Check. Unfalsifiable. Check. Irrational beliefs, check. PS why are there jiggleballs there?

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#21

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) College football

ham_wallet998 , aaronisnotcool Report

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Bouche Clay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's Alabama's state college that has an adorable pug for a mascot. I don't like football, but I love dogs.

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#22

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Homoeopathy

dangerus_dave , Dr Tricky Report

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Esme Weatherwax
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also a potentially dangerous religion when the believer relies on it instead of science based medicine

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#25

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Football! Biggest sport in the world, stadiums are genuinely awe-inspiring and the atmosphere created during a game is crazy.

(Edit) Okay okay... guys, I do mean FOOTBALL as that's what the vast majority of the world calls it but to allow other cultures to understand... yes, "soccer" is the biggest sport in the world.

SurvivingWow , pbkwee Report

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Bouche Clay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I don't understand is why, when someone grabbed the ball and ran, the people who turned it into a new sport chose "FOOTball." Was it just that it came from football/soccer? Why didn't they call it handsball or something like that?

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#26

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Crossfit

LettuceGreedy9345 , Big Titan Report

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Victoria Pitt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the only thing that came to mind. But I think it's ok if it's treated that way, you get a community and you stay fit. Win win.

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#27

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) iPhones, Tesla, Marvel

CleonII , Windell Oskay Report

#28

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) The idea of a nation.

CompetitiveSherbert7 , LEGOFIIR Report

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Luke Branwen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nationalism, aka. the idea that you're superior because you were randomly born inside a certain set of nonexistent lines on the map.

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#29

Hot take: owning dogs

EDIT: owning specific breeds of dogs

baby_yoda_is_thick Report

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Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The very concept of "pure-breed" dogs is a genetic disaster waiting to happen. As soon as you restrict the genetic diversity in this way, the extinction of the breed becomes inevitable. As much as people don't want to hear it, this is scientific fact. Don't even get me started on the ethics of deliberately breeding deformed animals that suffer throughout their lives in search of an aesthetic. And now we've moved on to doing the same thing to other species, like cats, rats, mice and guinea pigs. Even reptiles aren't immune to the greed and selfishness of the humans who breed them for "pretty colors".

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#31

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Some people treat atheism like a religion. They on here trying to get converts

Jp_gamesta , Steve Garry Report

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Tamra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh, I'm atheist, but I have no desire to change anyone's mind about what they believe. As long as they extend the same courtesy to me.

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#32

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) Owning a jeep wrangler

Edit to add, I own a jeep wrangler and do 4x4 SAR for my state.

Thatonecrazywolf , Brett Levin Report

#34

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) In India, cricket

Hyperion_23 , David Surtees Report

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Pumpkin Spice
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I challenge every cricket worshipper (not fans, but fanatics) to try and hit a sixer alone, no help, nothing.

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#35

“What Is Not A Religion, But People Treat It With The Same Attention?” (30 Answers) "I trust the science"

WannaGetCrazy , Nenad Stojkovic Report

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Hex Gurls
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

damn it’s giving ‘i do my own facebook research and a crazy man in the woods told me the government is trying to track me with the vaccine and i trust him more than doctors’

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