I respect religious faith but, I think we need to get rid of beliefs that don't make sense. Do you agree?

Question

I have seen some really absurd and illogical religious beliefs. To be frank, I don't buy it. Am I going to get bashed for this question?

*sigh* I should name myself Mr. Misunderstood

For example: How about letting dinosaurs fit in our mental frames?

I just realised that I've had some great answers. Thanks guys!

Answer 1

There's not a formula for this, but as a rule people don't become more reasonable by being threatened - either by aggression or by presenting them with alternate ideas that they don't agree with or can't answer and pressing them on the matter.

We tend to box people into a corner where they must protect their beliefs at all costs when we equate them with their beliefs. This is difficult. To some extent, we live our beliefs and you could say we are our beliefs. But in another sense, beliefs are structures, and we choose them. We have thoughts about them. They are part of us, but they are not us.

When someone over-identifies with their beliefs, they become very easily threatened. You are not questioning the reality of what they believe, but questioning their personal validity as human beings. Under the right conditions, that can make some people unstable and dangerous.

Under most conditions, the best means that I can see of restoring reasonableness is by being a good example of reason. It is by being respectful to the best of our abilities and treating others (even those whose ideas we find "out there") with dignity that we present the best of our own beliefs.

If you see beliefs in others that you really feel are absurd, ask yourself why someone would believe that. What need does it fill? If there were some possible redeeming value in it, what would it be? It is admirable, and graceful, at times to agree to disagree.

Treat those with wild religious beliefs as you would a wild animal. Gently. If their existence is that fear driven, you could further hurt them or get hurt yourself by prodding them. It doesn't help anything. It just makes them more distrustful.

I am a Christian. One of my favorite verses is I John 4:18-19

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us."

We may not be able to agree on what we believe or on what constitutes absurd and illogical. We can try as individuals to live out what we believe as respectfully as possible and we can refrain from further entrenching the fearful in their beliefs by issuing challenges when we should be providing safe places to honestly examine and reason.

Answer 2

When it comes to theology, religion, sprituality, and the likes, we're all like people with IQs of about 75. Our brains cannot easily - if at all - comprehend some of the things that these trains of thought entail. It's like expecting somebody (with a finite mind, which we all have) to understand the concept of eternity. Can't be done. On that note, many beliefs will never completely make sense, if at all. Some beliefs make perfect sense to a few, and are Greek to others. We cannot ban beliefs because select individuals (however much of a majority they may be) don't understand. That would only lead to ignorance.

Answer 3

Yes you should get bashed at least a little. If we start getting rid of religious beliefs that don't make sense who's to say yours wont be the first to go? Here in the United States we are supposed to have freedom of religion...among other freedoms...hope I can stay on topic I can really lose it when I think of how the constitution is getting abused already...anyway we should try to hold on to our freedoms...as many as we can..for as long as we can

Answer 4

Yea their are some that pretty much seems nonsensecal such as ascetism (i.e. inflicting pain as a religious ritual) but one factor one must consider before speaking about a particular faith or religion is the accident of birth. An individual born in a particular country where a particular religion is dominant will most likely be practicing the same faith. But i believe that one must have respect for other faiths.

Answer 5

I understand where you are coming from. There definitely are some strange practices out there, but the problem with your idea is where do you draw the line. Who decides what is right and what is wrong? Will peoples rights be violated by doing this? These are all questions to ask your self. You and I think some things are strange, but one might think you and I are strange, so who decides which one of us is right or wrong. Perhaps you could be a little more specific on which practices bother you? Interesting topic for a discussion though.

Answer 6

My question to you is: "How can you get rid of a person's beliefs?" Religion and faith are personal issues. They are not for everyone, obviously. However, everyone should have the right to religion of choice and their faith. Who are we to say that a person can't believe in this or have faith in that just because it doesn't make sense to YOU? If you are truly interested then why not ask someone thats in a religion or has faith in whatever that doesn't make sense to you. Maybe, just maybe they can explain it well enough that in the end, it does make sense.

Answer 7

Maybe you don't buy it, but perhaps others do. You don't have to buy it, but that's the nice part. Because you live in a free country. There are a lot of beliefs that I don't either a) care for, b) don't make sense to me, c) think are absolutely outrageous or d) are purely faith based.

This is in no way meant to bash, but merely to inform.

Answer 8

Bashed no, called narrow minded yes. While a belief may seem absurd to you, others may feel that is what they truly believe. Live and let live and will all get along just fine.

Answer 9

I agree with respecting religious faith as you put it. But I don't think it's up to us to "get rid of beliefs that don't make sense." That department belongs to THOSE WHO PUT IT THERE in the first place!

What's up to us is to STEER CLEAR of any such places where these FALSE DOCTRINES and BELIEFS are being taught and spoken of... i.e., it's time to pack your bags and start walking out that church door PRONTO! Go find another place to find the Truth.

At least that's what we're told to do according to the Bible: "Seek and you shall find. Listen and you shall hear. Open your eyes and you shall see. Knock and the door shall be opened for you..."

Peace be with you!

Answer 10

What do you mean by "seen"? Before we make hasty judgements, we should try to understand what the significance or symbolism is behind those so-called absurd and illogical beliefs. Besides, who says what's absurd and what isn't?