Why is religion universal to human culture, but religious intolerance among different cultures so prevalent?

Question

All humans use and make tools, have musical traditions, have language and storytelling. Some universal traditions seem more and less "civilized" than others, but on the whole, we tend to accept other people's musics and languages as they are. Why don't we accept their religions the same way, as in "it's not what I learned from my people, but maybe it's valuable in its own social context"? I'll hear any opinion on this question. Can you?

Answer 1

Religion develops as a means to provide a grand explanation for *everything* (ie. weather, sources of food, death, interpersonal relationships, social systems, etc.). It gives people a sense of security and predictability. Sometimes the use of religion goes beyond predictability to the point of being used for control.

When one questions someone else's religious beliefs sometimes that triggers an insecurity that gets expressed as hostility. If the questioning reduces control and individual has become dependent upon to maintain social or economic status the response can be extremely hostile.

This is not to dismiss "religion" as a merely useful (for some) fiction. Institutionalized atheism (China, and Stalin's Russia) has killed many people as well. I guess you could just lump religion in with any ideology that attempts to assert itself on others through political or social means.

Answer 2

As long as a person understands all religions talk about salvation it is alright. But he goes beyond and feels the religion in which he is born is the only path to reach salvation. There only is the problem. Culture as such is not only because of a religion but according the place of his living. A nation which has seen several invasions of rulers of a different religions naturally feels against that religion more than the person. Because he indulges in preaching about his religion as the only solution to salvation and if not accepted by his subjects he thinks he can use force. This naturally develops an alienation towards that religion. Hatred stems from this point.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa of India who was the master (Guru) for Vivekananda practiced all tenets and found that all religions are different roads for the same goal. Hence he preached which suits you better for your culture of the region, you practice. If this is adhered to without interference in any other religion then conflicts won't arise because of religious intolerence and peace will prevail.
Ramachandran V.

Answer 3

First universal an prevalent are purity much the same thing. Religion is a Psycho Semitic condition induced into a young persons mind at a young age as to where it is so much in grained in their consequence that the mind even thinks about it in the unconscious part of the brain. Its almost or maybe I should say is so ingrained in the society and culture although it be in different forms or god names and forms it all goes back to a Mass Psycho Semitic inducing practice that has been going on for thousands of years .

Answer 4

Religion provides answers to the great unknown questions, but since those answers are just good guesses, everyone has a different take on it. There are a lot of unanswered questions in this life and that can make people really insecure.
We all want to think we are right and the other guy is wrong if he doesn't agree with us. So even if we can't prove we are right, we have to defend our ideas to remain secure.

Answer 5

Spirituality is universal to human culture, but I wouldn't say religion is. Religion is what happens when a group of people decide that they want to be in power and tell others what they must do, think, and believe, while disparaging the beliefs of anyone who doesn't submit to them. That is why religions are always at each others' throats. Religion is not about godliness! But spirituality is about your personal relationship with the divine, something only you can experience, and something that is experienced uniquely but universally. Religion is the end of spirituality.

Answer 6

Well good question u ve asked:)
All arts and science are accepted from diverse commnuties and different region of world by every people . These arts and sceince are mostly come in use 2 people as compfort or enjoyment or benefit in form wheras the relegions are mostly and tradtionally comes through fore fathers and which never care to disagree to accept it.

>> But when it comes to the of acception of other's relegions as whole and soul, various people think their relegion is better cuz they ve inhirited from thier great-----fathers and>> that cant be wrong, so they dont want 2 waste their logic and reasoning of understanding in others people's religion.

This is sort of my opinion just based on few facts i ve come across but i may be wrong in my reasoning at any time:)

Answer 7

This is at least circumstantial evidence for the truth of monotheism. We are created with a basic knowledge of our creator, and with the knowledge that there is only one true God.

But if this is true, then someone has told the truth, and someone has lied. Consequently, many people will believe the truth, but many also will believe the lie.

The only remaining question is, which is true.

Answer 8

Because most religions are culturally traditional, this gives people a sense of identity, stuff that was passed down generation after generation. We trust our parents, but they lied about Santa didn't they?

Answer 9

Because everyone believes their religion is the only true way to heaven, and they want every one to go. They don't stop to think, hey this person is a christian, he just goes about it a little different than me. They forget every one has the right to FREEDOM OF RELIGION, that is to have religion or not and to believe what they want.

Answer 10

Spirituality is something that we know exists but the unknowns of our ultimate controller makes it hard to stick with one with so many diffident lifestyles.