Why are you all soo smug in your philosophies?

Question

I find it mind-boggling that many of you have your discussions on politics or religion when it really seems your blind. Many of you will enter into political debate demeaning the other side saying "The Democrats this" or "The Republicans that" when i have to ask, are you making any sort of difference by your in-fighting? And it's simile for religion, some of you will say something like "Don't do that, because Jesus wouldnt approve" when condemning another threw your religion doesnt seem much better. Why can't people just understand that all you have to do is be a good person is to help other people, and be *humbly* religious if you choose to?

Sorry for the irony of sounding smug about this while dissing smugness

Answer 1

Oh, finally someone agrees with me. I hate what goes on in the religious and political categories. I agree with every word you said. :)

Answer 2

I guess the question is whether people discuss them, because they want to appear smart, like the great philosophers that came before them, or whether they have so blindly built a faith around their ignorance, that they insist that salvation can only come from their opinion. The two topics you mentioned are similar in that way. One often believes that only their opinion is the right one, and it is the core of their being. "Everyone should feel guilty about the...[insert oppressed group here]." "The Bible says that it is a sin to... [insert objectionable activity here]." No one bothers to tell me WHY I should feel guilty, or WHY I should believe in the Bible. It's my soul (essence), and chances are that I am far more moral, more ethical, and more virtuous than those who seek to "save" it.

The fact that I find it repugnant that one would choose to hide behind their ignorant understanding of religion and politics when arguing their case, doesn't mean that I won't have the grace to listen or respond kindly to them, it just means that I will never have a serious discussion about those topics with them.

Am I being too smug? I apologize.

Answer 3

I reject the premise of your question, that political or religious answers come from "smug" people. The questioners here are frequently asking for opinions or advice.

If someone injects religion or politics into, say, a math question, then that answerer is an idiot. But if someone asks an open-ended, philosophically-oriented question (like the one I'm answering right now), the answerer is free to reply from their experience, which might include political or religious observations.

Answer 4

At one time the philosophy was : You never discuss 3 topics in mixed company, meaning men and women together.. Religion, Politics, Sex, or another one, children should be seen and not heard. I for one am glad to see people, debating, and expressing opinions openly. Those debates, philosophies, opinions, may seem smug to you as one individual, for me it's a wonderful freedom of expression, ideas, information, and I for one enjoy seeing it, doesn't mean we have to agree, or that the people are bad, JUST OPINIONATED. My opinion

Answer 5

It's human nature to believe that one is in the right,and sees
things other people miss. Sometimes it's even true. Philosophy
is highly subjective,we all believe what we want to believe. Some
of us like to argue over it.
That's why many of us come here to Answers,so that we can discuss,argue,etc. on-line and be as smug as we like while doing it. We do it because we can and we like it,and we'll continue.
Get used to it,that's one thing that 's not going to change.

Answer 6

Great... But you are missing the real point to all of this... It's yahoo answers. No one really cares about this place and people will say anything on here. In person I'm sure they aren't as talkative.

Answer 7

anonymity is a very good way to see the responses of other people without fearing the repercussions of social suicide. I'll bet that most people who answer here do not state themselves so openly in a face to face conversation. read th book "on bullshit", and you will come to realize that yahoo answers is pretty much a bullshit session on grand terms.

Answer 8

I suppose it comes down to this. There are moral absolutes and we are all arguing as to what they are. Our selfish and self centered focus gets in the way and we want to push our own agendas.

Is there an agenda that is above humanity that we all should be looking to?

Answer 9

well said Dan
People understand that things would be easier but most choose to insert stupidity and their own beliefs rather than get a huge group together and think out the process.

Answer 10

"Sorry for the irony of sounding smug about this while dissing smugness"

K

Answer 11

I get your point, but I find your comments to be the very thing you protest. They too are "smug"