Why ask why if one already believes they have the answer or don't want to hear it?

Question

Alot of people ask why, what, how questions about others faith and still don't listen for the answer. I would like to know why that is and also ask this.

In your personal beliefs, what is it that makes it ok to attack another based on the belief that he/she may have? Does tollerance exist in all religions or is it everyone for themselves in the religious world.

The most thoughtfull answer will be most appreciated

I have to thank all of you for your input. As you can probably tell this was more retorhical than anything purely to make people think It appears to have worked Thank you again and I have enjoyed reading your responses

Answer 1

In the first place, "don't want to hear it" does seem to imply you think someone has the right answer (it). In religion and spirituality, if you are asking for tolerance, then I think there should be some room to accept that we might not have THE answer... Anyway, let me try to address your question.

1 Believe they already have the answer

1a Baiting
Some people just ask a question to attract others whom they can hit on the head with their beliefs in an attempt to convert or punish them for having different beliefs.

1b Confirmation
These people might have some doubt in their belief system, and are actually looking for people who will reinforce what they believe and make them feel good. Contrary answers are spurned.

2 Don't want to hear 'it'

2a Confirmation (as 1b above)
These people just want to confirm what they believe and don't want to hear anything else

2b Disagreement
Some people might simply disagree with say my opinion, to me it may seem they "don't want to hear it", but I should tolerate that; after all it's their problem, not mine, and I have done what I can to bring what help I could.

2c Confusion
Some people are just lost and hit out. It's nothing personal, not even necessarily topical, but it just reflects their inner state.


In my personal belief, nobody has the monopoly of answers, so as long as you go about your life not harming others, you can believe what you want.

I don't think all religions are intolerant. You do have exhortations to convert, but you need to understand that these words were written at the beginning of the religions, and thue when these religions were small. There might have been many other with the 'convert' mentality but they failed, so we do not hear of them today.

The trick is whether people take the words to the letter or interprete them within the context of society, thinking that since society has changed, non-fundamental rules could be differently interpreted.

I am quite sure that religions from the East, Hindusim, Buddhism, Taoism... do not aim to convert but preach tolerance big time.

So tolerance exists in most religions and it also depends on how we choose to interprete the 'words' of the religion.

Answer 2

This is a why, what, how question.
It is not OK to attack another based on their belief.
I think there is both tolerance and intolerance.
I sincerely want to understand what others believe even if I do not agree, at least I will have come to a better understanding.
There is already to much hate and disrespect. I think getting everything out on the table as this site allows is a way to communicate better. I think everyone should know what is in everybody else's holy book. I want to know what others think and why. I believe that each of us is accountable for what we choose to believe.

Answer 3

I think sometimes people are just trying to start a fight. Sometimes people are disenchanted with their former belief system and are trying to get revenge by attacking others. Sometimes people ask questions when they are under duress, and though they lash out at first, at least some of them truly consider what other people have said.

It is not ok to attack anyone else based on their beliefs. On the other hand, people often feel that they are being attacked when what has really happened is that someone has told them what they believe to be the truth. When one has strong beliefs, they often convey those beliefs with strong words, and those words are seen as an attack when truly that is not the intention at all.

Other occasions...people are sometimes immature and act like idiots or worse. Some people like to hurt others, maybe because they are hurting on the inside themselves. "Misery loves company" type of thing.

Tolerance is a tough question, at least for me. I believe in God who is not tolerant. Look at the Bible and show me tolerance. God is forgiving, but not tolerant. I have difficulty at times understanding the difference. God does not tolerate our sins, but He does give us the opportunity for forgiveness. In the same way, we should not tolerate wrongful behavior, such as false beliefs, but neither should attack or judge. We must also be forgiving and understand that our job is not to punish-that is up to God. We should teach and show the truth, but through love, not hate. It is hard to love your neighbor as yourself when you are attacking them verbally or otherwise.

Answer 4

People who ask "questions" on here are often just looking for agreement or validation of their beliefs. That's why I rarely get my feelings hurt if one of my more heartfelt responses does not get the "Best Answer". I gave my honest opinion and the asker was perhaps not looking for honesty, but corroboration.

Regarding those who wage war. There are a lot of angry people everywhere, but they dare not vent that in public and save all their frustration for pounding on their keyboards to nameless, faceless strangers. Let one person here try to say these things to their parents, spouses, bosses, teachers, or friends and see the reactions they would get!!

Answer 5

People who ask questions on religion & then don't take notice of what is being said are either attention seekers trying to provoke people or closed minded, ignorant & rude.

No it's not OK to attack other people or their religion. If they tried to FORCE their beliefs on me I would then put my own argument across just as forcefully as they but you wouldn't have to attack them or their religion/beliefs to do this.

Each to his own I say, if people choose to worship Buddha, Allah, God (as in the Christian God )or any other God for that matter that is their own choice. That is what freedom of choice is all about, choosing for ourselves & not each other.

As in anything in life you will find people who are rude, polite, practicing, extremeists, forcefull or subdued in any religion so we should not tar everyone with the same brush.

Answer 6

In my personal belief system, it is not OK to attack another for their beliefs.

Others may feel they are doing it for our own good (and salvation) or because they want to be in control, among other reasons.

We need to have faith in the Spirit, not in the a man-made religion.

Answer 7

In Canada, religious speech is the -only- speech exempted from our laws against the promotion of hatred.

Think about it. Christianity promotes hatred, which is why it -needs- to be protected from a law designed to -prevent- the promotion of hatred.

Some of us oppose the promotion of hatred, and have no respect for religions that promote it.

In the West, the most influential religion is Christianity. Thus, it becomes a prime target for those of us who oppose the promotion of hatred.

Answer 8

Yahoo solutions is used as a place to discover solutions and a place to communicate them. the certainty that they permit added info skill the moderators have not any concern with the assumption. countless cases questions are rhetorical, yet their purpose is to spark communicate, wherein the psychological is filtered faraway from the ignorant

Answer 9

it baffles me why anyone pushes there beliefs at you at any time, surly we r all mature enough to make up our own minds, i believe in god, but i don't dictate to anyone, i wont tolerate bullies of any kind, i truly believe they use religion as an excuse to self indulge there own inferior attitudes onto others,nobody is perfect and never will be.

Answer 10

There really is no cause to Attack other's Belief's.
You only have to tell the TRUTH (Word of GOD).
If they get Offended at the Word, well, you can Read it in the BIBLE.
Hope this helps.