If you truly believe something does it matter what anyone else believes?

Question

If you are comfortable with your own beliefs why argue with others over their beliefs? ( this is pointed at all religons )

I just have the feeling that you let it be as big of deal as you want it to be.....it has nothing to do with your faith or beliefs but more so with your personality.

Answer 1

It doesn't matter to me which is why I don't feel the need to argue or debate. I live and let live.

Answer 2

Depends. What happens in your own head is one thing, but we don't live entirely inside our heads. When our beliefs lead us to certain actions, then they might affect others. For example... Believing that angels are everywhere may be comforting and regarded as a beautiful thing, but when you refuse to take your sick child to the hospital because you're sure those angels will heal her, then your belief could kill. If you drive through every intersection without even looking at the traffic lights or signs, believing you're on a mission from God, then your belief has the potential to destroy or drastically alter the lives of others.

That point aside, I agree with you that faith or philosophy is a matter of conscience. No one religion is for everyone. What speaks to, inspires, and motivates one person may leave another bored or unmoved. That's why such choices must be left up to the individual.

I don't like petty arguments, but I do like open discussions and welcome the opinions of others. Someone may raise an issue I had not considered or provide an answer to a question that has stumped me for years. My beliefs should be tested, not set in stone.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter to me if people choose not to believe the same thing as me. Its their choice. I believe in God and as long as my family and I keep our beliefs sacred to us, the public's view of God's existence doesn't concern me. I think its sad, but people think I'm sad for believing in God as well. Bottom line is its every body's right to choose, and I would never force my belief on others. Some Christians believe that they must "convert"others into their belief, but I realized a long time ago that's a waste of my precious time. If anyone wanted to personally ask me why I believe, I would share some wonderful stories with them about why I'm a believer, but if I'm not asked to do so, then they are missing out, not me.

Answer 4

this entire aspect is a genetic fallacy (no pun meant). The source of an impulse tells me actually no longer something about its morality. "Being born that way" neither justifies nor condemns something. it would want to bear on the point of duty someone has for his or her moves, yet would not say something about the morality of those moves themselves. Why mystifies me is that very just about no one looks able to comprehend this. Is it fairly that complicated? _______________________________________... What i'm getting at is basically this: this entire line of inquiry skill no longer something. no matter if I help equivalent rights for gay human beings, the question of how we are born is inappropriate. It would not grant any rational help for both side of the argument. We already agree that some sorts of sex are immoral-- sex between adults and small children as an party. What if pedophiles are born that way? might want to that reason us to desert our view of its morality? if so, why? Given how indignant absolutely everyone looks about all this, i think I might want to upload that i'm no longer equating homosexuality and pedophilia. Do i need to repeat that? ok. i'm no longer saying both are equivalent. I completely comprehend how emotionally volatile this entire problem is. All i'm attempting (unsuccessfully) to do is inject some sanity into the talk. per chance it truly is a waste of time. yet i visit no longer help attempting.

Answer 5

Well, in some cases, it does matter. Those cases are when it affects others. For example, you may be an active member of NAMBLA and believe it is your duty to love young boys, but until they reach a certain age, it's not okay. You may believe your religion should run the country - that starts imposing your "laws", which I don't believe in, on me. That's not okay.

It is not the belief, but the effect that matters.

Answer 6

well there are many answers/ways to answer this.
for me to answer, people sometimes want others to believe the way they do to try to convince them that they should both believe how he/she believes. but there will always people who disagree which is why there are arguments over beliefs. if everyone realized that they can't force another person to beleive the way they do then some laws wouldn't have been passed and history would have been alot shorter. which is why we have our own beliefs and whether people believe, get convinced or refuse to beleive that is what makes our way of life. but u sure do have a good point

Answer 7

Here is what is believed in the Catholic Church. The first thing to note is the matter of what you believe in. Secondly, does what you believe in matter to others? In other words, does your belief affect another and how does it affect another? These are important things to consider.
Let us chose a belief that is still within our history to demonstrate the importance of the matter of belief and its effect on others. Say someone believes that others in the world are inferior to them. They may even use religion to back up such a belief. And so, from this you have the Holocaust tragedy by the Nazi party, the violence of the Klu Klux Klan, and the male chauvanisitc rhetoric that keeps women from being equal to men in their created dignity.
So, the matter of what a person believes in is crucial. And by way of implication how that belief affects another. Obviously, the Holocaust, KKK hatred, and Male dominance have affected others unjustly. And these organizations or movements (Nazism, KKK, and Male Chauvanism) were quite comfortable with their belief that others were inferior to them. So, would you say it is important to know what others believe and discuss with them? So, the matter of what is believed and what others believe is important. And since these comfortable beliefs created hatred and violence against another, then would you not say it is important to argue them over? How one practices their belief and how others are affected by it is important.
It would be unjust to say, "I only care about what I believe." It would be equally unjust to say, "I don't care about your beliefs." It is the dialogue of beliefs that help us realize the beauty, goodness, and truth of that belief. And it is the dialogue of what we believe with others that checks whether the belief does or does not help humanity remain humane and able to aspire to destined greatness.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john

Answer 8

you have to have strong convictions in your beliefs. Other peoples beliefs do count to them and just because you believe differently doesn't mean you can't be friends with that person, it just means you have different beliefs. But you can still be friends.

Answer 9

It's human nature to argue over something presented arguementatively! If it were possible to expres and discuss one another's beliefs in a more "passive/agressive" light, we'd be better off, but alas, it can never be!

Answer 10

Nope doesnt' matter to me if anybody else shares my beliefs or not. I don't push my beliefs on anybody, BUT I will push back. Myself I just get tired of hearing how much we are all hated for one reason or another.