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They can become sullen, withdrawn, or even hostile when you say it's wrong and requires serious alteration.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

#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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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.

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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
1 year 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

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

And now too fish! There are ‘Glowfish,’ which are White Skirt Tetras which are patented btw, same as Clownfish, eg. Davinchi, Flurry, etc…. Frankenstein is clearly a modern fable unfolding in our time! *Line breeding is breeding the offspring with one of the parents. Perhaps outwardly there might be Dominant, Dominant, but inwardly if both parents carry a recessive gene for an illness, genetic disease or a dominant gene for another illness, the offspring have a far greater risk genetically of either presenting at birth or as an adult…. These things become more ‘amplified,’ within a breed, and then we have breed specific genetic illness/disease becoming more and more prevalent. Our animals are getting sicker, just like we are. Ok. Going to go and sit in the garden and try to enjoy the birds and the dwindling bee populations….

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

Thank you. And you are also called a monster if you don't like them. It's almost as if they are so elevated in western society that event to suggest dogs aren't wonderful is to be burnt at the stake.

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

Well you should be😉. Everyone has their own special loves when it comes to animals/reptiles/insects/fish etc. Everyone is entitled to their own without being criticized for it.

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

I have a Yorkie, I don't own her as she is my best friend! 🐶

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

Years ago my ex SIL went nearly halfway across the country to pick up a dog. Why? At the time it was the rarest breed in the US. With so many dogs dying because they don't meet the proper social status, how can someone do this?

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

A friend's wife flew to Denver in a snowstorm to pick up their $1000 puppy she bought. All of ours have been rescues so we were definitely WTF.

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

I am a cat person myself, and love all cats regardless of what breed they are.

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

It’s the people who act like their dogs are literal children that I hate. No, your dog doesn’t need to go grocery shopping with you. No, they don’t need to be pushed in a stroller when you go for a walk. Unless they have severe separation anxiety they are perfectly fine if you leave them home alone. I used to have a friend that literally thought she knew how to be a non cuz she has dogs

abovethenormdesign avatar
Jane Cortez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is actually a study currently running in the United States following the health, medical issues and lifespans of Golden Retrievers. In the 1970’s, or early 80’s these dogs lived to be 15 years of age, often a bit older. In the decades since, the average lifespan is now 8/9 years. Possible theories are working breed dogs live longer because they are bred for strength, health, stamina as opposed to practising ‘line breeding,’* the prized Turkish Breed Kangal, bred for centuries to protect livestock. It is a very large breed dog, 120-160lbs is not uncommon. Dispelling the myth that larger dogs hearts are too small in ratio to their body size, ( true for breeds that have been bred to become gigantic). Typically working breeds like Collies have long lifespans, but inbreeding for ‘desirable,’ characteristics like a very long narrow head, ( too small for the brain), or pugs, ( or any of the Brachycephalic breeds have difficulty breathing, esp. in the heat and even the eyes can po…

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

…German Sheppards, Great Danes, Rotwielers, Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia. Poodles, Bouviers de Flanders, Irish Wolfhounds, among many others are prone to cancer. All popular breeds have become more and more altered from the breed standard 100 or more years ago. As the gene pool becomes smaller, genetic illnesses, aka breed specific illnesses are becoming more pronounced. Eg. The Neopolitan Mastino, decimated in the last World War was resuscitated as a breed from a handful of the last remaining dogs, an ancient breed going back to Sumeria!!! Also, dogs, like most of the populations in the turn of the 20th century routinely worked for at least a few hours per day and were much leaner. There are obviously not any clear answers but dogs are getting sicker! Environmental factors likely contribute to shortened lifespans, eg. chemicals about the home, in the environment. Did you know that there is no place in the world where rainwater is safe to drink?!? Get a mutt!

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

You'll find that people who own certain types of dogs are bigger bastards than the rest.

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

The only "nutty" dog people I know are the adopt don't shop crowd, ie pit bulls are the best breed for everyone.

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#30

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

StirlingBridge1297 , Elen Nivrae Report

Note: this post originally had 35 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.