Why do religious people so strongly believe in their religion but refuse to give merit to other religions?

Question

Example people that believe in Christianity that would look at someone as insane if they believed in other acient European religions - Greek and Roman mythology.
I respect all religions and have no religious beliefs but do believe in spirituality and connection with nature.
My lack of religions is not a lack of morals I have never raped, murdered, or dishonored my mother

In response to hpbb I haven't raped or murdered anyone because I have morals, according to your answer if the only reason people held themselves from rape and murder was a believe in one God and the Christian religion than wouldn't all non Christians be rapists and murderers?

Answer 1

Because they believe only their religion is true - only their God exists. So they scorn others as "delusions" and nonsense. Besides, you just answered your own question. "Religious" being the keyword.

Answer 2

I agree. There's an old saying that religion is for people who are afraid of going to Hell and spirituality is for people who have already been there. I think it's a process. Religious people are not necessarily "bad", but they are a little blinded. Partly, this has to do with the excitement that comes from finally finding your true spiritual path, or way. You feel so great and fantastic, that the first thing you want to do is share that feeling with everyone else. If you are not careful, that can come across as intolerant; i.e. "My way worked for me, therefore it must be best and you way is not as good. Here, let me show you the best way, so you can be as happy as I am." I was that way once, too. Over time, though, experience, life, and some hard times wore down those sharp edges and although I am still a practicing Christian, I like to think that I am a more compassionate and tolerant one. What worked for me may not work for everyone else, or anyone else for that matter. The important thing for me is to stay true to my faith and what I believe and to offer any assistance I can to others along the way. Roses are not necessarily more beautiful than daisies, nor daffodils more lovely than violets, but together they all make a beautiful garden. The same is true for the various faiths and beliefs of the world.

Answer 3

In the case of the so called "ancient" religions of the Greeks and Romans, even their philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle believe they were just fairy tales. These religions are mostly stories of the "a long time ago in a land far, far away," variety, as opposed to the majority of stories in the Bible, which give the time and place in real history and geography. If you'd believe the Greek and Roman myths, why not Star Wars? That teaches morals also.

But who has the final authority to decide what morals are? Is it you? Me? Society? If it's society, then why is everyone down on the crusades? Society said it was the right thing to do. If it's you, then why not me? Who decides, for example, that rape, murder, and dishonoring your mother are in fact wrong? If there are a variety of gods, and they all have a different take on what makes right and what makes wrong, who is the final authority among them? And how do you know that what the gods say?

You claim to be a man of morals. You say you have never raped, yet you have stolen the rights of God to govern the life of his creation. You claim to never have dishonored your mother, and yet, you have dishonored God. How seriously can I take your claim to be a person of morals?

My religious convictions are based on research, study, and dedication. I've looked into the origins and history of many religions. I can understand why someone might believe in one of several religions (Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam) but others I can't see (Wicca, Roman/Greek, Hinduism, Scientology.) The history and origins just don't stack up. The strongest evidence, in my opinion, has been for protestant Christianity. It's not what I was raised, but my study of history, theology, logic, and science led me there.

Religion is about more than morals, the same way the study of electricity is about more than light bulbs. It is about history, understanding God, finding the most accurate answers to the questions of who we are and why we are here. If you have a wrong answer, how will that affect your life? You can't know as long as you have the wrong answer, the same way the earliest understandings of electricity, that were bascially wrong, could never have given us a computer.

Answer 4

My friend did you just discover that mankind does have an innate nature that is very selfish? It has been in plain view since any written records were made to record its existence.

In my opinion religion is for only those who do have a nature to be very selfish. In fact the way I see it the more selfish you are the higher you can progress up the authority chain. Each step up means also that additional powers would be granted to you by the organization itself even up to the leader supreme if you can demonstrate maximum selfishness.

Is not religion truly a game of power and control of the masses? How can one control all if it is recognized there is an alternative?

Sorry if I did not answer your question maybe in the way you did want it answered. I did the best I know how since I am sure you can see I do not see any positive effects in religion.

Oh yes, religion is good, for everything that exists is good; however one must be careful of what he views as good and the pure purpose for which it does exist. A "NO" tries to do that while he is saying NO to religion.

Answer 5

I don't understand this either. My strong belief in my religion requires me to accept other religions. I believe that the right God calls us at the right period in time. I can't fathom why someone would worship something outside of Earth either, but other people can't understand how I can worship something inside of Nature. But I don't knock them for it, unless, of course they use it as an excuse to trash my Earth! My morals are very strict, hardcore. Most Christians have nothing on what my Gods demand of me!

And to that silly fellow pointing out that the Bible has historical fact in it, so do the Greek myths. The places named are real, you can find them quite easily. Delphi still stands (barely) the ophalus is there to see. Troy is there, under piles of rock it's true. Ithica has been located, Sparta and Athens, the details spoken of are marked in the land. Archeaologists have used Homer's and other writings to guide them to sites. We know your Bible has SOME historical accuracy, but you cannot say that your Bible is 100% true because of some piddling historical accuracy that is matched by the Greek myths unless you want to say the Greek myths are true. Which even Hellenic believers, like myself, will tell you are only metaphores and will laugh at you for even suggesting that they are literal.

Answer 6

There can only be one truth. Why havent you raped, murdered or dishonored your mother? Because God has told us not to. He also has told us how He wants to be worshipped. A Catholic and a Jew do not have the same beliefs. The Catholic believes that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer. The Jew does not. God knows the truth and that is that He sent His only begotten Son to save us. So you see there can not be a million and one religions when God only started one. That is the Roman Catholic religion. Please take the time out to find this out for yourself so you can be saved.

Answer 7

they are truly afraid of hellfire. If their beliefs are the truth then the other must all be of satan. Therefore they must shun the "others" as dirty. It's just human nature to be completely wrong alot of the time! Human beings are genetically hardwired, it seems, to have some sort of belief in some sort of diety but as the eons dragged on it became religion, then it was a matter of killing or converting the heathens next door lest the gods smite the good with the bad...then as more eons passed there came what seemed like a good guy who said he was the light, so in his memory millions have been converted by the sword. Cuz you know that was just what he meant by love thy neighbour! It's man and man alone who is the master of his fate and it seems he's royally F**ked it up!

Answer 8

The Pope met with all leaders from other religions. What else do you want? I am Christian and I respect others with their religions. I do not "give merit" because it would mean that I am diluting my religion by thinking that other gods could be genuine. I do however respect the rights of others to believe what they want. The reverse is not always true and it is often the non-believers who attack religion.

Answer 9

Your question revolves around stereotyping. Some people are so into their own way of life and beliefs that they are afraid that a different belief will insult their own. Also some people be live that everything in their religion needs to be done by the book. They think that if they do one sin they are going to hell. So these are some reasons that they are so protective of their religion.

Answer 10

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Answer 11

I know from experience that the catholic church teaches its brain-washed followers to be arrogant, and to show no respect for other religions. They think there is some big conspiracy against them - the Happy Holidays thing for example. This is done to keep people "devoted" so they will not question the wrong-doings.