Why do people treat agnostics with such contempt?

Question

We have a very healthy interest in religion - all religions.

I have found that majority of people find questions to be detracting from or insulting their religions, when in fact, we are simply curious and like to learn as much as we can so we can make informed decisions.

For B True - I most certainly hope that you read the rest of my question that you referred to - it got some great, comprehensive answers - you might like to check it out......

Hi again B True - I notice that you also answered the question you were referring to, but you answered it in the name of "Shalom" - you will see that I left a reply for you there - why not go check it out, it might help you understand my perspective a bit better.

Narrow mindedness is a terrible affliction - in every sense, not just religious.

Answer 1

People like answers, not questions. Answers make sense of something unstable and bring order to that instability. If you question something, you are doing so for your own sake, but at the same time you are necessarily (though probably not intentionally) challenging someone else's sense of stability/security (since that other person would see no reason for his/her belief system to be questioned). You're not meaning to hurt anybody else, but it's just that too many people cannot easily face a disturbance to their beliefs; they view the one who asks the question as the problem.

Answer 2

Basically an agnostic is a cowardly position to take.
At least the atheist takes a stand one way, and the believer
takes a stand in another direction. But there is too much evidence available to say that you just don't know.
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but the truth hurts sometimes.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!

Answer 3

Because for some reason in this country the concept of live and let live just hasn't caught on. People seem to think that everyone must think just as they do, and if you don't they become hateful and rude. Why what someone else believes or how they choose to live seems to ignite such strong emotions in others is really beyond me. What ever happened to love thy neighbor?

Answer 4

Simple.

In my experience speaking with christians, the majority of them are not comfortable with their beliefs. They know deep down, there is no substance to them. They will not actively consider their beliefs because this can cause them to quickly unravel.

As such, they get frustrated that the answer "just have faith" is not enough for a person who actually wants reasons to believe in something, so they become hostile and usually revert to threats of hell-fire.

Answer 5

I don't treat agnostics with contempt. I think that academic exploration of religion is a very healthy thing; my study of Eastern Religion actually helped me spiritually as a Christian.

Answer 6

Agnostics are people that understand that there is no way to know either way about god.

I have had people try to convert me to either a religion or to atheism, but I haven't felt that they were treating me with contempt.

Answer 7

In my experience as a pagan people treat anyone with a religion different than their own with contempt.

Answer 8

Probably because people tend to get defensive when they feel their own beliefs are being attacked. I personally don't feel contempt for any person, especially someone honestly searching for answers. What offends me is when someone tries to deny me the right to my own beliefs.

Answer 9

I have no problem with Agnostics. :: Hugs any Agnostics she can find on Yahoo! Answers, looks about frantically, hides. ::

- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 10

When you title a question like: "To all overweight Christians" what in the heck do you expect! Nothing healthy about. Your motives are not genuine at all.