Can people of different religions ever get along?

Question

What is everybody trying to gain when bickering back and forth about thier religious preference? Are people simply trying to convert others or are they ultimately hoping they will just die? Are humans incapable of peacefully letting others believe in whatever they choose? How does it really effect a person if another believes differently? It just seems silly, childish and a waste of time that could be spent on something more productive. There will never be one universal religion so why all the effort to 'convert' everybody? Why can't we all love eachother?

Answer 1

i dont know

Answer 2

I think that the problem is that too many people try to "convert" the whole world or look at religious harmony only on a worldwide scale.

I'm Catholic. I have lots of Protestant friends, some Jewish and Muslim friends, a couple of Atheist and agnostic friends and relatives...and I even know a Witch.

Guess what? We all get along fine...only occasionally good naturedly kidding each other about our beliefs.

Like most things in life, most individuals aren't going to change the world single-handedly. But if I act civilly amongst my friends, family, co-workers, and the few occasional people I meet in the check-out line at the grocery store, I'm gonna do a lot more for world peace than I would if I was a bombastic SOB who spent his time hitting everybody on the head with a Bible...Koran...or broomstick.

Answer 3

As long as there are people out there who see their religion as the "one true religion" then there will always be bickering. The truth of the matter is that they see it as their responsibility to spread their good news. Sometimes they get overzealous about it though. What they fail to understand is that theirs is not the one truth and they can not let it go. If a person is happy with the religious path they have chosen, then I think they should be left alone. It is when someone tries to impose their beliefs onto people who don't want it is when the arguing begins. Some just can't take no for an answer. Personally, I don't start getting ticked off until someone tells me that my beliefs are evil and of the devil, I'm a bad person, or that I'm bound for the christian hell. I usually say "it's your hell, you burn in it". Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. My point is that until certain religions quit preaching intolerance against other religions, then there will always be fighting. Sad to say, but that's the truth.

Answer 4

I only poke fun at bible people because they have ALWAYS tried pushing/converting their religions to me. I don't try to push my religious preferences on them or anyone else, and I'm VERY tolerant to others religions, I'm just tired of Christians always saying things like "Well "god" had done this and oh here's this verse you should read and CONVERT TO BIBLE NOW OR DIE FROM THE WRATH OF GOD!!!"

ANd I agree with you, there will never be a universal religion, and they really should stop wasting effort to convert people.

Answer 5

To chime in and to correct lonlienyte's reference. Lonlienyte was referring to the Unitarian Universalist Church, members of the Unitarian Universalist Association (uua.org).

Congregations of the UUA and the UCC (United Church of Christ) are liberal congregations which practice tolerance as one of their tenents.

The seven principles of UUA churches are:

1 The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2 Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3 Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4 A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5 The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6 The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7 Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Unfortunately, many religions teach that the way to salvation or rightness with God is to follow their teachings and only theirs. They see other religions as an abomination and can't accept that they may not have the only answer, which translates to them as the possiblity of having the wrong answer. Ambiguity is not something that this type of person handles well. They find self assurance in conformity and have a hard time handling things that fall too far from the main stream.

We will be able to live in peace with each other when we have room to accept that we each have individual needs and that what feeds your needs may not feed mine. As long as we can respect that and not trample each others rights in the process, we can get along.

Answer 6

If people drop their pride in thinking they know everything than yes, they can get along, provided the other religion doesnt itself teach the other is evil (Muslims and Jews wont ever get along for this reason).Denominations within a religion can possibly.. only IF they drop the pride. Example-- Baptists and Catholics are different denominations within Christianity. They have different beliefs though... No, both beliefs cannot be right, but both CAN be wrong, they could both be missing the mark. If they understand this and admit "well I could be wrong" then yes, they can get along.

Answer 7

I could've asked this question, but I didn't know how to word it. No, not everybody can get along because that's human nature. There will always be fighting over whose religion is right, and whose is wrong. It really is, a waste of time, and it's very childish.

Answer 8

Yes and No. If we live according to God's will, we will love one another as He loves us. This does not mean that we will be in agreement however. There are honest differences that are important in regard to beliefs and actions.

The work of conversion belongs entirely to the Holy Spirit. Believers are sometimes a little over zealous and try to take on the task of conversion themselves and this typically results in someone moving further from God. So this is an error but a well meaning one, usually born out of love.

Grace and peace to you.

Answer 9

I have learned a lot from this sight. I love to read opinions and see the world through others eyes.
I also like to give advice and have had a lot of people, the younger ones take my advice or thank me for it.
As for the religious sector, well that is another road block.

Answer 10

I think as long as both parties agree to keep religon on the side, not bringing it up; or if it does come up to agree to disagree. I have friends of different faiths than me. It's not a big deal, as long as we respect each other's ideas and philosophies. But this means everyone needs to be open-minded. I don't think close minded people, or different religions can get along because its too much "my way or the highway" kind of thinking.

Answer 11

Sure. I'm Catholic, my room mate's Protestant, my boyfriend is Jewish, and most of my friends are agnostic. We discuss religion all the time, but we respect each other, so it's never been a problem for us. We all understand that the key to a good life is love, and that's the most important thing.