Why do people act this way about religion?

Question

I've been reading a lot of different questions about religion and spirituality lately. From what I've read, Why do people hate Athiest so much? I myself am somewhat Agnostic and somewhat Athiest. I accept the fact that there are Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, etc. out there in the world. Why don't you all accept me for what I am? Not only that, but why are you all to ignorant to even notice other religions for what they are? I believe that one should respect another persons beliefs simply because they are their own. I have mine and they have theirs. Why should one be better than the other? Why are people so stubborn when it comes to these things?

Answer 1

I understand how you feel. I actually come to this section to help people learn the truth about spiritual things, and hopefully guide them away from God and religion altogether so they can lead happier lives.

You should see some of the vulgar perverted sickening replies I receive from religious people, but then I understand that these people suffer from mental illness and lack of intelligence, and so, perhaps their behaviour, although irrational, has a rational explanation. I hope the following helps ease your pain and suffering.

Atheists are more intelligent than religious believers.

My own observation and analysis of the various posters on Yahoo Answers clearly reveals that Atheists are without any doubt, far more intelligent, thought provoking, and capable of holding sensible debate compared to their religious counterparts.

My private research studies indicate that religious people tend to be below average intelligence, and also have a tendency to be more violent than non-believers. This also seems to be supported by profiling various YA religious posters.

Science suggests that religion is a mental illness and that religious people act irrationally because they are genetically predisposed to the “religious or spiritual” gene. Statistics indicate that the higher your education, income, and intelligence, the more likely you are not to believe in a god.

In general terms, this summarises as Atheists are intelligent and religious people suffer from madness.

Answer 2

I can't answer the first part of your question. But as to the stuff near the end. The reason one should be better than the other, is that all religions make truth claims. And many of them state contradictory claims. If the truth claim a religion pushes is shown to be false, through outside evidence, archaeological research etc... that religion cannot possibly be as good as another religion that is on point in that area.
As far as respecting beliefs, that idea seems to come out of a misguided idea of what tolerance is. We do not need to respect beliefs, we need to respect people. I can respect you but disagree with you, and this leads to genuine conversation. People sometimes believe absolutely horrific things( KKK, Nambla) I have no need to respect the immoral beliefs these groups hold, I do need to respect them as people. People can be misinformed or mistaken, just to step back and say that all ideas are equal is very much to not care about that person.
The only way Pluralist idea that all religions are equal could be true, is if all religions are equally false.

Answer 3

you have to understand that people fear what they don't understand. For one, I don't care that your agnostic, somewhat atheist because I know that you think on a different level than me and that's okay. People automatically assume that you're heathen or whatever because they don't take the time to learn why you feel the way you feel. They are quick to judge, and all to eager to show you that there way is right and your way is wrong. That's what religion does to people. I know this because I used to be one of those people for a long time. It really wasn't until my husband became more philosophical and stopped believing in Christ that I began to change. After talking with him about why his beliefs change, they made logical sense. They make me question my beliefs but I still stick to mine because it is what I feel is right, but I love him and just accepts what he believes and he appreciates me for that. Christians will try to convert you because that's what the bible says to do. I think they go about it the wrong way half the time and loose all ability to communicate when they try to hard, which can be said for the other religions as well. But for Christians, we're not supposed to have the "blood of some who does not believe on our hands" in other words, we're pretty much guilted into the whole thing. Don't get me wrong, if you became christian I would be thrilled for you, but if you don't then you don't. It just means that you are still searching and that is what you need to keep doing. Hang in there.

Answer 4

A am a Christian and I completely agree.

People are way too defensive about religion. I don't hate Agnostics, Atheists or any religion.

I am highly intelligent and I understand other people's point of view. I don't have to criticize them for what they believe. Everyone has a lot of reasons for believing what they do, and unless you step into the other person's situation, sometimes it's impossible to see their point of view.

Answer 5

I do not hate athiests. I have no disrespect for athiests. I simply have my beliefs and this is a forum where I can express my beliefs. So that is what I do. Just as that is what you do. I do not belittle your beliefs or ridicule them in any way. I would actuallly like to see more tolerance for each one another and our differences on this forum, but I don't think that is going to happen. BTW - I am a Christian

Answer 6

Each and everyone that you mentioned above, are really misguided individuals who are one-track minded and closed to any other ideas.
Why misguided? Because they probably have been taught since young to reject all other beliefs except theirs.
Why one-tracked? Well, simply because their minds are focused only on what they been conditioned to accept.
Whatever views different to theirs will be rejected by them. My question to you is: Why should you be bothered by such people? If you wish to associate with such people, then you have to accept them as they are. Does it matter if such people do not accept you for what you are?

Answer 7

I think it's because some people are afraid...-they harbor hidden doubts about THEIR own beliefs, & thus find outside challenges all the more scary. People who are unable to respect others belief systems- tend to attack them so as to protect their own insecurity. Try not to let them bother you. It's THEIR issue- not yours. And there are a LOT of insecure people around.

Answer 8

I understand and respect your question. It's hard for me to respond, because I am Catholic, but I'll try to. I think we have a difficult time accepting the fact that Atheists don't have someone to guide them in life. If we are raised under a religion and under certain beliefs, we find it hard to believe that others are raised differently or just choose another route. I know that believing in God has helped me through rough times. I am not overly-religious, but having Him to talk to in my prayers gives me reassurance. If you don't prefer to believe in a god, then that's okay and people shouldn't judge you. But I hope I was able to explain to you why they would.

Answer 9

I personally believe that people are entitled to believe whatever they wish, whether they are atheists, agnostics, or satanists.

I also have no desire to convince them to believe as I do. Whatever they believe is their choice.

However, if you're half atheist and half agnostic, I think you should come up with a name that describes those beliefs. How bout.."agtheist"? ;-)

Answer 10

Because they think their religion is the only right one. They think if you don't follow their religion, then you are doomed, and they think it's their job to inform you just how doomed you are. There's only two major religions I know of that don't do that. Wicca and Buddhism. And like the guy above me says, they're afraid of what they don't know, and fear does lead to anger, and anger to hatred.