Deep question: A Christian called me a “bigot towards religious people.” Are they right? 😞 Have I developed a bigoted attitude?

I take severe issue with the toxicity of religion and the negative impacts religions, particularly the Abrahamic religions, have caused society/humanity.

I know that bigotry involves intolerance or prejudice against people because of their beliefs, not just criticism of ideas, systems, or institutions. They say it’s okay for me to recognize and critique the harm that religion has caused while still respecting the individuals that believe in their religion. I accept that definition of bigotry, however the problem is - I truly do have a hard time respecting individuals that proudly claim those warped beliefs. Does losing intellectual respect for a group of people make one bigoted towards them?

They say if I make blanket generalizations about religious people, assuming they are all complicit in toxicity, that is bigotry. Well, I do actually think they’re all complicit, because by claiming their beliefs, they have proclaimed that they support and buy into ideologies that have long histories of hurting individuals and society, and still continue that harm today. Just look at what they’re trying to do right now in the U.S. government.

I certainly don’t wish these people harm, I just think their core beliefs are so harmful, that I can’t find it in myself to respect them. I dismiss them as unintellectual thinkers, and thus not deserving of my respect on an intellectual level, not on a human level. I certainly don’t dehumanize them, which is another important aspect of bigotry.

I understand that many people are born into religious systems, raised in environments where questioning is difficult, or find personal meaning in faith while rejecting its harmful aspects.

I fear that my negative view I’ve developed toward Christians (and other toxic religions) since I’ve deconstructed may be turning into something no different from what religions do when they paint all nonbelievers as evil or lost. It risks becoming the same kind of absolutism that I dislike about religion in the first place. I’d appreciate any input. Thank you all.