I'm thinking of Jews and Muslims. People are born into societies; they don't have much control over that.

Most people are born into a family and a society and then taught what their beliefs are. It is only a few who are bold enough to decide for themselves later on who end up leaving.

The reason religion got to where you describe is because it was free from criticism by force of law for thousands of years.

I say ridicule the ideas of Judism all you want. That is different than ridiculing or insulting me as a person.

Raised in racist families and communities. Should we avoid ridiculing their racism because they were just raised that way?

A belief system is not an ethnicity.

Should people face legal consequences if they criticize or mock someone else's religion?

there won't be consequences or blowback.

Or the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack?

about social implications of insulting the people around you. The offender should be ready for a hearty "go fuck yourself," or more passively, being ignored.

It’s criticizing an idea. Certainly some are so attached to their ideas they will view this as as in insult to themselves. That’s what closed mindedness looks like and with some it will rise to the violence stage.

think that not only should others be free to criticize what I believe, but I also think that it is beneficial for me to hear such criticism, and ask myself "Why am I offended by what is being said?"

In short, I think that the only way to grow is to learn. And I can do this by:

Examining my own faith
Examining what/why others believe as they do
Examining what/why other do not believe

Just my own thoughts on this.

Wishing all well and peace.

Tim

This is no different than any other idea. When criticism of ideas is suppressed you have oppression regardless of how well meaning it is.