A simple question, really: Why can't we all just get along?

Question

Okay. So I'm looking through Yahoo Answers today, and I'm completely amazed by what I see. An inordinate amount of questions are:

"Why are Liberals (Democrats) so dumb?"
"Why are Conservatives (Republicans) so ignorant?"
"Why are Muslims trying to kill us all?"
"Why are Christians stupid?"
"Why are Athiests so blind?"

Black, white, hispanic, gay, straight, etc... we all seem to hate someone.

Now... overlay these questions against what's taking place in North America, and the rest of the world.
Rampant bi-partisanship has brought the US to a virtual standstill from the days 40 years ago when it was developing so fast it was incredible.

People are rabid about their religion being the one, true, 'peaceful' religion... and they'll beat the crap out of anyone who says otherwise... and as such world is on edge because various races, religions, creeds and colors have a hate-on for someone else.

So, again I ask... why can't we all just get along? I know it's human nature to be in conflict... but it's also human nature to survive... and man, we're heading in the wrong direction for that.

Now... I'm not Christian... or Athiest... or Democrat... or Republican. I'm me. I live by a simple code (I say I follow the church of Bill and Ted): Be Excellent to each other. Christians know it as 'Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.' and I can almost guarantee that most othe religions have a similar tenet somewhere in it's teachings. Respect and acceptance...

This is NOT a difficult thing to follow... can someone tell me why we can't? Or won't?

Okay... so I'm asking this twice, but in two different sections as I feel it's relevant. They're my points, I'll use them as I choose.

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Here's an interesting side-note. I posed this question in 2 different categories. Religion and Politics. In Religion, the very first message (from a 'Christian' woman) called me stupid. And I got a couple more like that... 9 answers in total so far.

Here in Politics? 40+ answers, and a lot of them quite eloquent and intelligent.

You form your own opinions from that.

Answer 1

With regard to your follow-up: yes, it's human nature to survive -- and survival often means jealously guarding what's already yours against others that want to have it. It's a fight for resources to survive with, and that's the root of almost all problems humans have with each other. A person hates gays? It's often because they feel the gay lifestyle is a threat to the way that person lives (rightly or wrongly). Islamic terrorists hate Americans? They feel Americans are a threat to their way of life, that Americans are the great satan and want to destroy their religion. And so on and so on...
Often those fears about losing what you already have are not really justified, they're just paranoia. But sometimes they are valid fears. That doesn't mean the reaction should be hate and violence, but unfortunately it often is. Trust among humans is earned, and most of the time some "unknown" outside person or group or country isn't known well enough to be trusted, or has done things in the past to earn mis-trust, and so people don't trust other people to NOT take away their resources or lifestyle.

Almost all of the "my religion is the only one," "my country is the greatest," etc. types of beliefs are manifestations of fear, not of any positive emotions. Fear that you may have dedicated yourself to the wrong religion, or that another country could kick your butt in a war, etc. Fear is the reason for religion in general (mostly fear of death), and is the great motivator of all human activity. Sad, huh? :(

Answer 2

We are taught from birth by our parents to be a certain way. Some of us try to make changes in our lives and when we have our own kids we try to be more open minded but no matter what, we will have some prejudices due to the events that have shaped our lives. I don't use religion as an excuse to hurt or kill others. I don't think any god would want this. It is the ignorance of man that mis-understands the meanings of what religion is. The same with race and everything else. I was lucky. I grew up in Miami where everyone is different, good and bad. I try to pass this on to my children. when they bring home friends who are different from us. I welcome them. And in return I am proud of my children. Until our own government stops supporting racism and other prejudices we will not be able to move forward. Also keep in mind the people on here who ask stupid hateful questions have issues them self. Don't take it too seriously, you can keep it positive by asking more intelligent questions.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you. I don't understand any of this.
I worry about how this world we live in will be in 5 years. It already is scary it will be alot worse if people can't learn to just get along.
Do you ever wonder how Saddam or Oshama were raised? I am guessing they did not get enough love at a young age and decided as they got older to blame their anger on someone besides themselves. It is always easier to hurt others then yourself. I am sure they are getting so much love with all the control they have from these terriorist.
They will kill themselves for what they believe is right.
( I would just cry.)

Answer 4

I feel that most people do not truly feel the way the post. They post this way because they were not breast fed or got beat up in grade school so they require (extra) attention. However, when humanity is put to the test, it generally comes through, for example the trade towers, so many sacrificed their lives to pull people out. As far as I know, no one was thrown back due to color, political affiliation or religious preferences. Also, hurricane Katrina, I am from the coast and our town is no longer here, so many from every walk of life has come down here to help us put our lives back together. Mormons helping Catholics, blacks helping whites, etc...So consider the sources when you looking through the questions and answers, some answer thoughtfully and others are just being antagonists for the sake of whatever.

Answer 5

Capitalism killed God, Allah, Buddha, etc., which is scary to someone that has all their faith in one thing. After that, marketing stepped up and sedated the public with things like the internet so they think Yahoo and Myspace are outlets for rebellion and change. Meanwhile, the bi-partisan lines blurred along the campaign finance part of the whole thing and now the corporations have it set up that no one, not the public, the press or the government can change the stagnant way things are.

To answer your question, we've been pitted against each other so we won't go after the real enemy.

Answer 6

Well, its nice to hear someone talk like this. After reading most of the questions and some of the shocking answers, it is really heartening to see that there are people who are worried about the state of affairs.

May be all these people are the in the minority and they just found a platform to vent their venom. Or its plainly people wanting to shock others which they can't do it in person.

What ever it is, as long as there are caring people like you around, the stability factor will not be lost.

Answer 7

Dad and that i did no longer communicate for 10 yrs until eventually final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, then he died. I consult with my mom once or twice a week. How unhappy is it that i grow to be an in basic terms baby yet not at all relatively close with the two of my mothers and fathers.

Answer 8

OK it is good & difficult question because we all know that the human naturaul is different from one to another, some people don't care about the religion of yours or your nationality and another peolpe feel it is so important to know if you are christian or muslim ....etc as there are many people think that the muslims are terrorist or unkind or feel that the black people are less status than them so we have to demand for changing the human culture

Answer 9

I ask that question all the time. I grew up where it was not cool to be white. I got called "stupid white boy", and "gay white boy", beat up, all the other things. Why?

I honestly think it had a lot to do with being poor. I was a poor white boy. Wealthy white boys didn't get picked on by Mexicans. Maybe they thought that white boys don't belong with poor Mexicans? Sometimes I think it has something to do with social class. Why? The wealthy white boys did the same.

Answer 10

I don't like the loaded questions either! The guy with the Bush Monkey avatar and the guy with the Kerry Devil avatar are my favorites - TO AVOID! I have strong views and I debate, but I try to be civil.

I don't know why people are obsessed with the religious beliefs or the sexual preferences of others.

It's like giving the finger to the car that cuts you off on the highway. Anonymity and hostility means no manners.