Why are blanket statements made?

Question

Regarding religion, or lack thereof, why do people make assumptions of people's beliefs? Not all theists believe in the same tenets of their religion as someone else. What if someone were to pick and choose? Or if an atheist has moderate or extreme views on the question of the existence of a divine force?

The point is, while different sections (Muslims, Atheists, Christians, etc.) of the question fight each other, hurling insults, they fail to realize that not everyone falls into the same category, the same mold of the atheist or theist. And don't say that they do.

For and example, I'll use myself, which I hate to do. Most atheists' beliefs are claimed to be based on logic. My belief in God is also based on logic.

And immediately, I'm sure someone will say, "It's all fairy-stories! Floods? Whatever! Resurrections? Sure, okay!" but that's not the basis.
There must be something more to the world; flesh, blood, and bone are too basic; it's too cold. Atheism is too negative.

**** he's right. Good point Arkangyle... or however it is you misspelled that in order to sound cool....

I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Good answers, people.

Sorry about the lack of logic in my logic; I just didn't have enough room. I just mean that I believe that a divine force because science is lacking in many areas. Other than that, my belief is based on day-to-day interpretations of life experiences: dreams, relationships, people I encounter, the whole interconnectedness of the world.

It's just a belief.

And by atheism being too negative, I meant that the lack of a divine force (that basic tenet of all atheism) seems (to me) to have a bit of hopelessness to it.

Answer 1

Blanket Statements run parallel to Generalizing and Stereotyping. A lot of people dislike that creating a stigma. However, people generalizeor discriminate all the time.

When we look at information, we're processing a lot of things and so our eyes will discriminate and sort data and what we see trying to lend order to what is taken in.

When it comes to Religion, people will make broad statements the same way. Usually it's easier to canvas everything with a general answer that covers everything.

Atheists are logical, but you're correct about God being logical. I'm Agnostic Catholic leaning toward Atheism and Existentialism.

However, if you were translate God into a Mathematical Number, it would be "ONE." God (or whatever Supernatural Deity or Deities) people subscribe to define Law. They create Order to Chaos.

I don't mean in the Biblical Sense. I mean that they prescribe a definition in the form of an Religious Operating Procedure that they follow. When people talk abou the Bible, Koran, Buddhism, or whatever Spiritual Faith they embrace, it's really just an Operating Procedure. It's they're way of perceiving the world.

Some people really need that because they'd like the assurance that there's some purpose or meaning behind it all. Some people would be worried if there wasn't any rhyme or reason and we're just floating on some rock orbiting around a star. People need to define things because human society tends to fear the unknown.

The whole reason why there was a lot of Mythology and Ancient Lore before Psychology, Sociology, Natural Sciences, Technology, Math, and Computers came around was because people needed an explanation.

So for peace of mind, they would claim it was God, Allah, Vishnu, Zeus, or Odin. My mom's a devout Catholic. She sings Soprano in the Church Choir and she is one of the regular Lecters every Sunday.

The thing that worries me about those who are extremely Religious is that they usually embrace what is passed on to them, but they take more of a Rote Memory Approach and just regurgitate what they were told.

They don't always study the Formula why things are the way they are. That's really important because sometimes things that are done were set in place because of a problem at that time that may no longer exist.

You also have to be careful of people who subscribe to a Religion and criticize other people for not believing in the same things they do.

As my mom used to say, "The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions." People who are passionate about their Religion may mean well, but anything can be turned into something bad if done for the wrong reasons.

I once said that the Colors in the American Flag are symbolic of the game "Magic the Gathering." Red is Passion/Fire. White is Justice. Blue is Knowledge.

Most Religious Fanatics are Red and White. Red and White would be your White Knight that is passionate and doing things "in the name of God," but they lack Knowledge (Blue/Water).

Red (Passion) and Knowledge(Blue/Water) is a powerful combination where you're passionate and you have the Knowledge/Education to reinforce what you're passionate about. However, without White/Justice, you can be unscrupulous and power-hungry.

White(Justice) and Blue(Knowledge) is a decent combination, but without Red(Passion), no one ever takes action. Everyone knows what is the right thing to do, but they just sit around and talk about it. Nothing ever gets done.

The most hardcore Religious Fanatics tend to be Red and White. They're the White Knights that go charging into Dragon's lalair rather than thinking of a plan of action.

It's like that funny scene in "Shrek" where Princess Fiona's complaining about Shrek's unorthodox rescue. She gets mad and says Shrek should be charging in with sword drawn like all the rest of the knights.

Shrek says in reply, "Yeah, before they burst into flame" as the pass by the smoke-stained silhouette of an unsuccessful knight on the wall.

Answer 2

A pearl of a question amid a sea of trash.

This section has become overrun with reactionaries and taunters. It was a breath of fresh air to see your question.

I think you already know the answer to the question, but here's my perspective: by nature, humans are good pattern matchers. We learn quickly to analyze people, ideas, things and situations in order to determine whether or not they are worth further consideration (safe/dangerous, for instance).

As a result, we have an internal sorting system that quickly places things into very general boxes (theist, atheist) with a very general, lowest-common denominator description that could basically describe all the contents in each box. This description will always list towards each individual's own biases, observations and preconceptions.

If we CHOOSE TO, we can take a further deliberate look into a particular box and sort its contents further (extremist, centrist, etc).

At each successive step, we sort things into smaller and smaller boxes, using finer and finer filters to effect the sort. At some point we might reach a point where each person, idea or situation is in it's own individual box. At that point, we've reached some semblance of understanding (at least in our own mind).

The problem with this is that it takes time and thought. Unfortunately, Yahoo Answers is not a place where either of those commodities is in abundance.

Answer 3

I agree with you regarding the use of "blanket statements" ... as I feel it's likely the reason for much of the fighting on here (a few continually make unbased claims about the other groups as a whole, stirring the pot) ...

... but then I reached the final sentence of your commentary and saw you make a blanket statement yourself, "Atheism is too negative."

Needless to say, I was disappointed ...

Answer 4

There is no credible evidence to support God belief. God belief is not based on logic, it is based on "faith," which is synonymous with "delusion" when it concerns religion.

Given the fact there are literally tens of thousands of unique Christian cults all promoting different doctrine and different interpretations of the bible, it is impossible to offer an opinion that does not involve stereotypes.

When I refer to "bible thumpers," I am referring to Pat Robertson, we hate everyone & everything "Christians." And, I realize they represent a tiny minority of all Christians. But, they seem to be most vocal & politically active.

The GOP is filled with and controlled by them.

Answer 5

Even if we attempted to understand every individual viewpoint it would not be possible. As you said, there are individuals within religious groups whose views differ from one another, and there are billions of minds to consider. Blanket statements are made in attempt to make sense of the cluttered world, and to gain a basic understanding of each groups "general" beliefs. There is usually some sort of common ground which draws them together.

It's usually inferred that when speaking of a group of people, that the comment is a "general" statement and not referring to specific individuals whose opinions vary.

That being said, we should not criticize another's beliefs, as they are personal and from within. We each have the right to our own choices and views.

Answer 6

Because it would take them too long to actually do research and educate themselves.

What I don't get is why so many people are so threatened by religion and feel the need to attack any and all religions as if they truly were evil-although they'll swear up and down that they don't believe in good and evil. What's it to them?

I think they're all closet Satanists...

Answer 7

Takes as much faith to be an atheist as to believe.

And blanket statements ought not to be made.
Belief has the variety of a patchwork quilt. And adds warmth and beauty to daily life

Answer 8

Human logic is warned about in the Bible. God said that our ways are not his ways and his are not ours nor are his thoughts our thoughts and our thoughts His.
People believe, alot of times, not what they are convicted of but what they have heard of others and taught.
I believe in God and the things of the Bible because I have found the Words of the Bible to be true in my life as well as the historical backing in history books and proofs scientifically and archelogically that prove the Bible as true.

Answer 9

I stand corrected; you are right...I am guilty of that because when I say Christian, I mean fundamentalist, and I should be more specific as there are many sects of Christianity. So, my remarks could be misconstrued as blanketed for all sects of Christianity. Thank you for the reproof. I will be more careful.

Answer 10

every one will in a short time when you see the lake of fire in the valley of seven hills. by then it could be to late .next time most of you get to see anything you'll see the great white throne. the ancient of days will be sitting and he will open the book of life