Quote Originally Posted by Egapal View Post
I don't believe anyone is saying that all religious people are rapist or molesters. As an atheist it is completely understandable that whether or not a person is a rapist or a molester is completely separate from their religious belief. I don't make a habit of telling others what is moral and what is not. It is on the other hand the practice of many religious people to declare that there is a moral authority and that they are acting in accordance with that authority. I believe that the point that was trying to be made was that its particularly nonsensical when religion is used as a basis to tell people how they should live when there are so many examples of people claiming to be religious while simultaneously acting in direct opposition to beliefs they claim to have. I would agree with you that the OP's father has a certain amount of control they are entitled to express in exchange for financial support. I don't see "Cut your hair or no vacation," as being a particularly "cool" thing to say but I see no problem with it. On the other hand saying "Hey do you want to go to Europe, ok cool then cut your hair or you need to pay me back for these tickets I bought you" is flat out wrong. You can not hold someone accountable for a contract they did not agree to.
Your right only half. While I agree many religious people have a "holier than thou" complex and over impose their opinions, that doesn't make them rapists, wife beaters, molesters or any other sick monster. I understand that the post was probably never intended to be read as literal statement but it was followed by another post with a link, and so I'm left to wonder whether it's actually believed that all men of faith are that way or is the poster trying to make a scene. Also the OP stated that his post was a rant do I'm guessing the conversation between him and his father played out a little differently than he posted. My guess is it went closer to like this,
Op father: I'm tired of asking you to cut your hair, if you don't then you won't go to Europe.
Op: Fine I won't go.
Op father: Then you will repay me for what I've spent.

It just seems to me a man who is willing to drop that kind of money on his son isn't also going to be that big of a jerk. Maybe I'm wrong but I was a rebellious youngster with long hair once too.