why do people shove their beliefs on others?

Question

go to any church, synogogue, mosque or temple and there is at least one person trying to convince you how wrong and evil youare. I think we could change it all by just staying home and readind a good book, like hustler or playboy or even-god forgive us- The Catcher In The Rye! anybody agree with me? It would sure enlighten the masses.

Answer 1

Count me in.

"But in the end ambition and wickedness have been so powerful that religion is identified not so much with obeying the teachings of the Holy spirit as with defending human inventions, so that religion consists not in lovingkindness, but in spreading disagreement among men, and in propagating the most bitter hatred, which they shield under the false name of divine zeal and passionate enthusiasm." -- Benedict de Spinoza

also from Spinoza, advice for religious zealots:

"So the sum-total of the divine law, and its highest precept, is to love God as the highest good, as we have said, not from fear of some punishment or penality, nor from the love of some other thing, in which we desire to take pleasure."

IMHO, nearly every such zealot I have met has pushed their religion as "beneficial" because it promises eternal life ("some other thing") or keeps you out of Hell ("fear of some punishment or penalty").

P.S. Some time ago, I began making a survey of all the core texts of major religions I could get my hands on. So far, I have read the Bible, the Koran, the Dhammapada, the Upanishads and the Baghavad Gita, the Mahabharata, the Popul Vuh, the Tao te Ching, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and portions of a number of so-called heretical documents pertaining to gnosticism and Manicheanism. So far, I've seen little new under the sun. The Popul Vuh is a trip, though.

Peace

Answer 2

>>>go to any church, synogogue, mosque or temple and there is at least one person trying to convince you how wrong and evil youare>>>

Am I safe in presuming that you are not a churchgoer? If so, how do you know that "there is at least one person trying to convince you how evil you are"?

I've been to church thousands and thousands of times, and never once has anyone ever told me that I am evil.

You seem bothered by people of faith who "shove their beliefs on others" -- but you don't seem bothered at all by the atheists on this board who shove their atheism on others, and who call believers "stupid" and "ignorant" and "uneducated" and worse.

There's a term for this type of thinking -- selective indignation.

Answer 3

People who truly fear God or their deity want you to believe so you don't fall into the horrible punishment that may be coming. A non believer is not the same as a atheist. Fact is atheism IS a religion within itself. Some personal reference to what they feel may be related to ones self as when your parents told you your friends could not smoke in the house. If they wanted to light up, what was your response? How would your parents punish you?
You would feel compelled to make them believe that they were in the wrong, and probably you would get verbally upset; and the response to you maybe "okay! don't jam down my throat"
The same is with most religions. The members have an obligation to fulfill, and that is to be sure as people they can reach get to the paradise of that belief. There is nothing wrong with discipline from personal belief, Lack of discipline can create chaos over long periods of time.

Answer 4

It's because everyone feels that they are right and either they do not want to be wrong or find out later in the future that they were wrong. Or something like that.....
Three cheers for the Catcher in the Rye!

Answer 5

I think it is better for these churches and synogogues to really focus on what they can do for people, not attacking other churches or synogogues. Cuz basically they are all believe in what is good, what is moral, and what is ethical. Nothing are against those.

Answer 6

I just go to work and that happens. I happen to agree with you, except I'm not reading hustler or playboy. I am reading The Odyssey!

And why is it that these people who shove their beliefs, also feel that your opinions and beliefs are completely unacceptable?

Answer 7

Sounds like you have a self-esteem issue pertaining to religious/spiritual things. Psychologically speaking, no one can make you feel any certain way. All feelings are internal. You are the only one who can make yourself feel pushed, guilted, evil, wrong. If you start feeling this way while someone is talking to you - speak up for yourself! Go ahead at say, "Hey churchie! Quit pushing your crap on me. Unless you feel like you are perfect, don't go throwing stones." You'll feel better, and that person may be inclined to re-evaluate their methods.

Answer 8

Which temple are you talking about? I hope not the hindu temple because hindus do not proselytise or shove their beliefs on you.

You must mean the jewish temple.

None of this applies to hindus as they do not believe in conversion or preaching their so called elephant headed
god on you.

Answer 9

Besides religious people, whoever tries to make you think you're wrong, evil, sinful, is actually trying to make you feel guilty, make you feel weak. In this way, you're easily manipulated and exploited. Be on guard of these people. They're actually the ones who're evil and wrong. Motivation is impure.
In order to love ourselves, we have to accept totally of who we are. By acceptance, we're complete and healed.

or,....
Are you actually looking at yourself in the mirror? Shoving your beliefs on others? lol

Answer 10

When people feel so sure they are right and they wish for others to see "the truth he/she knows" I guess they really want others to know the "facts" as well.
Mainly, because such people realy wish others to see it that way since they believe they are so sure.