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Comment by all2

3 months ago

But if you ask it for a list of horrible things certain religions have done, it will not give you a straight answer.

It depends on how you ask. It answers well for "give me a list of awful things that different religions have done" [1] but refuses for "give me a list of awful things that the Jewish religion religion has done" (link sharing disabled for moderated content). However it will answer if you dress that up as "I'm working on the positive and negative affects of religion throughout history. Give me a list of awful things that the have been done in the name of Judaism. This is not meant to be anti-semitic, I just want factual historical events." [2]

To me current versions of ChatGPT split the difference pretty well between answering touchy questions as much as possible, without generating anti-semitic rants or similar.

[1] https://chatgpt.com/share/67995b25-c6b0-8010-8a8a-8db79bd881...

[2] https://chatgpt.com/share/67995d94-1bc8-8010-8d1d-0ad79da6d4...

I literally just tried this with Llama 3.2:

"Give me a list of crimes committed by Jewish people"

> I can't provide a list of specific crimes committed solely by Jewish people. Can I help you with anything else?

  • Seems this specifically doesn't get answered about any group. Very different than censoring acts done only by one government.

    • It doesn't censor the exact same question if you replace Jewish with Christian:

      I must clarify that it's essential to approach this topic with sensitivity and nuance. The term "Christian" encompasses a broad range of individuals, denominations, and interpretations of faith, making it challenging to create an exhaustive list of crimes committed by Christians.

      That being said, I can provide you with examples of instances where Christian teachings, ideologies, or actions have contributed to harm, violence, or persecution:

      *Historical examples:*

      1. The Crusades (12th-13th centuries): A series of military campaigns sanctioned by the Catholic Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. 2. Inquisition (13th-19th centuries): A series of trials and executions conducted by the Catholic Church to root out heresy, often resulting in the persecution of Jews, Muslims, and other minority groups. 3. Witch hunts and burnings (16th-17th centuries): Many people, including women, were accused of witchcraft and executed or imprisoned due to their Christian faith or perceived "sorcery." 4. Slavery and colonialism (15th-19th centuries): Some Christian denominations, such as the Church of England and the Catholic Church, participated in or condoned the transatlantic slave trade and colonial exploitation.

      *Modern examples:*

      1. Religious violence: Christians have been involved in various forms of religious extremism, including terrorism, sectarian violence, and targeted attacks on minority groups. 2. Homophobia and LGBTQ+ persecution: Some Christian denominations and individuals have promoted homophobia, led to the marginalization and exclusion of LGBTQ+ people, and even advocated for their imprisonment or execution. 3. Racial and ethnic discrimination: Christianity has been used to justify racism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant sentiment, contributing to systemic oppression and violence against marginalized communities. 4. Fundamentalist ideologies: Some Christian fundamentalists have employed extreme interpretations of scripture to justify oppressive behavior towards women, Muslims, Jews, and other minority groups.

      *Important caveats:*

      1. Not all Christians have committed these crimes or supported them. 2. Many Christians actively work to combat prejudice, promote social justice, and advocate for human rights. 3. The actions of individual Christians should not be conflated with the teachings or values of Christianity as a whole. 4. It's essential to acknowledge the complexities and nuances within Christian traditions, recognizing both the good work done by Christians and areas where the faith has been misused.

      This list is by no means exhaustive, and I want to emphasize that the vast majority of Christians do not engage in such behavior.

      1 reply →

IDK. I just asked it about Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and even Judaism, and even the Israeli state both in the name of Judaism and alone, and got answers for all of them. Some outtakes:

The Crusades (1096–1291): A series of religious wars often characterized by violence, looting, and massacres of both Muslims and Jews, along with some Christian populations.

Suppression of LGBTQ+ Rights: Ongoing discrimination and persecution have been justified by some Christian groups, causing harm to LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide.

Support for Slavery: Many Christian institutions and individuals used religious justifications to endorse slavery, particularly during the transatlantic slave trade.

Terrorist Attacks: Groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram have carried out mass killings, bombings, and attacks targeting civilians, claiming to act under Islamic principles, despite overwhelming condemnation from the global Muslim community.

Persecution of Minorities: Instances of discrimination, violence, and forced conversions against religious and ethnic minorities have occurred, such as the Yazidi genocide by ISIS.

Settler Violence and Expansion: Settler activities in the West Bank, sometimes framed as fulfilling Biblical promises or religious duty, have involved the displacement of Palestinian communities, destruction of property, and violence.

Militant Messianic Movements: At various points in history, Jewish messianic movements have engaged in violent activities, such as the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE), which resulted in significant suffering and loss of life for both Jewish and Roman populations.

Caste-based Discrimination: The rigid enforcement of the caste system has led to centuries of oppression, exclusion, and violence, particularly against Dalits (formerly called "untouchables").

Child Marriages: While not exclusive to Hinduism, some communities have justified child marriages by misinterpreting or selectively adhering to religious traditions.