Why does it seem that many people think that complex topics, like religion, only have two sides - like a coin?

Question

With a topic as complex as religion - no, let's boil it down to (insert religious belief/non-belief here) - I don't see how that can reasonably be so. And it's not just with religion, either.

Why is it that many folks think there's only two sides to the discussion/debate/quarrel:

"right v. wrong"
"good v. bad"
"us v. them"

And it seems to be the case not only with folks with what I might describe as "opposite end of the spectrum" views, but also with folks who are generally within the same range of that spectrum.

But then, with "black and white" thinking, there is no spectrum, no shades of gray.

Does anyone else see this attitude as contributing to the problem that interferes with us even being able to hear another's views, much less listen to them?

And I know that I will probably get bashed for saying any of this; it's just the time that I've spent on Yahoo! Answers (which is a reflection of the world that we live in) has really caused me to lose hope.

Did I use the term "issue" or "topic"? I realize that issues may often only have two sides; or at least be given the appearance as having such. And I would not agree that every issue has just two sides ("true/false").

Answer 1

it is just that a venue like Answers is supremely open AND anonymous. it doesn't mean that the contributions are more "real" or "true". and remember, all postings are a "one-time" statement in each discussion.

this format is not conducive to the "back and forth" that is the core of dialectic communication, so don't read too much in each individual post.

narrow-mindedness, bigotry, arrogance, and egotism all deal only in absolutes.

Answer 2

Every issue has exactly two sides (true and false). The point is that religion isn't just one issue.

Let me explain. Religion is about each of the infinite number of possibilities, and each one's two-sidedness is True vs. False.

THAT BEING SAID!!! It's not about Christianity vs. Athiesm, it's about Christianity vs. non-christianity, and athiesm vs. non-athiesm. When people make things more than binary, they're generalizing.

For instance: Good vs. Bad. What does that mean? Once you've agreed on definitions of good and bad, you can either come to a definite conclusion of one or the other, or say you don't know (in the event that you don't know). I guess the point is that Good and bad isn't the arguement, but rather good vs. not good, and then if it's not good, it's bad vs. not-bad.

Let me put it this way: You can say there's black, there's white, and there's grey. But the situation then boils down to whether something is gray or not; it's still binary at the most basic level. It's gray, or it's not gray. If it's not gray, it must be something else (or not exist in the first place)

BUT THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THAT! Things CAN be binary. The trouble is that binary thinking only works at the most objective level. Because if you use general and subjective terms like "Good and evil" then there are grays, because you're not talking about real things.

It's kind of ironic that I support this binary view, despite being a polital centrist, but I think that only proves my point further: what appears to be "Kind of" is really just "Definitiely" in some aspects and "Nope" in some others.

In short, shades of gray are just a lack of information and analysis.

Answer 3

First of all, don't lose hope. Keep seeking. It gets down to the question of "is this true or is it false". For example, Is Jesus Christ the Son of God or not? It is either true or it isn't. Your entire eternity depends on how you answer that question if it is true. If it's not true then you can reject all the claims of Christianity since without that one thing being true the rest falls apart. Some issues are black and white. Questions that have to do with eternal destiny should be looked at with extreme care. Do you really want to trust the opinion of an idiot when it comes to what happens to you when you die? Look deeply and sincerely and you'll find the truth.

Answer 4

It's called rationalism, and it's not appropriate when speaking of issues originally developed with inductive reasoning. The dialectic works well in science, when you're trying to quantify observed qualities. But when you want to discuss concepts that are not in the least bit relatable (such as good vs evil) all you do is add credibility to nonsense.
Only complimentary relationships form a greater object. Like the left and right side of my body.
But stealing something, can not combine with giving something, to form anything. The are qualitatively different. The only way good and evil relate, is in the concept of judgment. And judgment never builds something from polar components, it always diminishes both.
Inductive reasoning (Theology, dogma, etc) has only one side, and everyone falls short of the end point, or goal. Rational minds reject the whole notion.
The rest is silence...caw...

black bird has spoken...caw...

Answer 5

Unfortunately it's not limited solely to topics of religion. There are many examples in our society where the competing sides have, in an effort to defeat their detractors, pushed to define the situation in all-or-nothing terms.

One good example of this is the debate over abortion in the United States. Most individuals do not like the concept of abortion ... they would rather it happen less ... but they also do not want women who are medically in need or who have been the victims of a rape to be denied access.

The pro-life side pushes us to believe we must not allow any abortions ... ever.

The pro-choice side wants complete freedom.

But most opinions on the matter fall between both of these ... but since the sides are clearly define, they end up picking the one they are closest too. Many would be surprised just how alike the views of those on each side are ... but the issue continues to be debated in black and white terms, hurting us all.

Answer 6

The Poles of life.
The extremes.

The good VS the bad.

The reason is, if we are asking the question, why do we need to go into all that detail? If the detail is important to the answer-er, then they will add it themselves.

Another reason, when asking a question, we usally think of the extremes and rarly the middles. I dont know why, i dont even know if there is a reason why, but its like that alot of the times.

All humans are closed minded until they open it. And its only open until they are done, inwhich it will close again. Then open once again when they remember that they have closed it.

Answer 7

most people are raised to think one way. everyone else is wrong because *insert race / class / religion / political affiliation / nationalism / whatever here*

and i don't know about where you live.. but here in tennessee.. most people are perfectly happy thinking that way. if you try to open their minds they get angry. because if you open them enough you might shake their foundations. and i suppose being sure in your beliefs if very comforting. it gives you a reason to live and a happy ending when you die.

maybe the reason i have so much unease in this world is because i can see things from so many different points of view?

and totally unrelated.. do you have a blog? :P

Answer 8

Many religions teach a black and white outlook to the world. It is hard to get those people to see the gray area.

Answer 9

"Shades of Gray" can dangerous as well.

Think about a Black and White television, which is really a "Shades of Gray" television.

There are nuances that shades of gray do not afford you.

I prefer to see the world as it was meant be seen, IN FULL AND LIVING COLOR.

Answer 10

religion is very much individual,so where is the scope for opinions,since no one can enter with in u,except urself,then how does other can say what u r experiencing with u(EXCEPT URSPIRITUAL MASTER),since most people does't know what religion is,so there is confusion,god is subject of experience not discussion-HE cannot be described in words,but u can feel the vibrations of enlightened ones.