Why do those who believe in religion feel they are Superior or better?

Question

Why is that religious people believed they are so much better or higher up than those that don’t believe in God or Jesus? What gives you the right to say that I’m wrong and you’re right? Why do you hand pamphlets out on street corners, to me it seems like your acting like telemarketers, interrupting people as there going through the day. Why do believe that one religion is superior over the other? Aren’t beliefs things that are held personal?
Do you believe in live and let live?

Why do you always try and convert other who don't see your line of thinking?

Answer 1

This is a troubling question. I am Christian and I do not stand on any street corners handing out pamphlets or even speaking to others who do not wish to hear my beliefs. If someone asks me I would be glad to explain how I feel but I do not feel superior to anyone or better than anyone because of my faith. I may feel secure about my own life as to where I am going and how I am going to get there but that is all. I would love to talk to someone and lead them to God but they have to be receptive to the possibility first. If they are not then Jesus said shake the dust from your shoes and tarry here no longer. In other words leave them alone. Everyone must make their own decision. That is part of freewill.

Answer 2

When you are employed by a company you become responsible to a superior placed above you in the company, and you follow his instructions. As Christians we have a Better over us and we follow His direction. One of those direction is to tell the world about His and His mission among us to save us from the penalty of our sins. We don't ever say we are better than any other man. In fact we have knowledge that we are some of the most sinful people that have ever lived. We don't compare ourselves with you or any other person. We compare our lives with that of Jesus and we know we have fallen way short. Still we try to do as we are commanded by Him and since this isn't to much of a problem for you I ask that you be sensitive to what we are commanded to do and if you don't want to hear it you simple say good day and we will back off.. To all my christian brothers and sisters when a God hater say good day BACK OFF.... Jim

Answer 3

You are looking at it backwards. If you truly believe that your faith has saved you and has the potential to save everyone, wouldn't you want to help others? If you really love your faith and God, then you should want to share this wonderful experience that you have found and give it to others so that they can enjoy it too.

It's like having a wonderful cake- it is the best cake in the world. There is plenty of cake for you, so you want to share the cake and let everyone know how good it is. It has nothing to do with a line of thinking- it is all about trying to take something good and happy in your life and share it.

Please tone down the anti-religious sentiments and try not to get offended by everything

Answer 4

Well, ouch. I do not stand on street corners with pamphlets, I think that is counter productive and cheapens the message.

The reason, though, people do that is that as Christians, the Bible tells us to go out and share the message. So while I agree, it is annoying, they are trying to do that they think they are supposed to do.

But truthfully, if our message offends you and you don't want any part of it....I am okay with that. I know I can't drag anyone, kicking and screaming to God.

But like telemarketers, you have the ability to "hangup" on them so-to-speak.

Answer 5

I don't think they think their "better" than everyone, Think they just don't want people to go to hell and in their minds the person will if their not into their religion. Also religious people feel proud to rebel against sin which is hard so they must be proud for that. Nothing wrong with believing in yourself some. But I get your point some religious people take it to far and act more stuck up than religious

Answer 6

Yes, I am religious. Do I think it makes me better than an non-believer? NO! You have the right to state your beliefs as you see them, as do I. Do YOU believe in "live and let live" ? If so, then why do you feel you have the right to question my beliefs. Non-christians often seem to lack the ability to reasonably discuss their lack of beliefs and usually resort to name calling and insults to make their "point." I am not accusing you of this by any means, as you did not do that in your post, but I'll bet that many of the people responding to this post will say something personally derogatory about Christians in general. Christians are quite used to religeous critics trying to undermine their beliefs. You ask "Why do you always try and convert others who don't see your line of thinking?" Isn't this a negative generalization? You did not say "Christians always try----", you said "YOU always try". Well, you are wrong there, because I don't always try to to convert others who do not agree with my line of thinking. I don't believe that my religeon is superior to any other. I think that we all worship the same God and that their religeon is just as valid as mine. I don't hand out tracts on the street corner. I do not try to force my beliefs on anybody. If somebody asks me why I believe as I do, I am very happy expound on my beliefs, but I do NOT force my beliefs on anybody. If you chose the path of non-belief, then you will suffer the consequences if your are wrong. I just don't see why many non-believers seem to actually resent the fact that others do not agree with them? It appears to me that their religeon is anti-religeon, and many are more zealous than Christians are about the conversion of non-believers!.
This problem you appear to have with Christianity in general is really simple to handle. All you have to do if you feel your privacy and rights are being invaded is to say, "Thank you, but I am not interested in religeous discussion." So to you I say, "Thank you, but I am not interested in hearing your problems as a non-believer." I'm sorry that you feel the way you do, but my beliefs are not the cause of it. I am taking you at face value, and ask that you do the same for me.

Answer 7

Well, before I move on to the question, I’d like to touch on the way you phrased it. You refer to all those who “believe in religion” as if they can be lumped under one general heading, and are all more or less alike in this regard. I think that’s a very questionable assumption. Even if you don’t count secularism and other modernist worldviews as religious, a good 90% of the world’s population “believes in religion” of one sort or another. You’ve made one group out of every Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Rastafarian, and Sufist the world over. That seems a bit to broad to me.

But, judging from the specifics of your question (the fact that you mention Jesus) I’m guessing you are vaguely referring to western Christians, so I’ll answer the question as if it were about them.

For a start I’d like to point out that there is a big difference between thinking you are right, and thinking you are better. You clearly feel that you are correct in your views, your emphatic wording demonstrates it. I feel the same about my view--the vast majority of people do. We all think that our beliefs about the world, religious or otherwise, mundane or transcendent, are the right ones. And it makes sense that people should feel this way: if you thought your own views were less correct than everyone else’s you would change them. But, at some level, we all feel we’ve found the right answer.

But that doesn’t mean that you or I view ourselves as better than all those who disagree with us. Even thought, deep down, each person thinks he is right, some people acknowledge that it doesn’t set them ahead of others. The two are separate issues.

So I would say that Christians are not unlike any other group in thinking they are correct, but I too fault them if they think they are better than the rest of humanity. But is that what they actually think? Christian doctrine certainly does not. Christian teaching points out instead that it is by no virtue of their own that the faithful came to be saved, and that they are no more valuable, or meritorious, than those who are not. The old saying is “But for the grace of God there go I also.” meaning that Christians should reflect not on how good they are for finding the truth, but how lucky and undeserving they are of it.

Admittedly, this often isn’t how Christians apply their faith. Many are self-righteous and smug. The Church in America often presents itself as superior, as smarter, as better. But the fact remains that Christian teaching itself should serve to put these blowhards in their place.

One more point, about your comments on Christians attempts to convince you that they are right. That can be aggravating, from any group, be it insurance salesmen or door to door evangelists; and for all I know the door to door evangelists may be just the sort of arrogant bastards I mentioned. But isn’t it, in some ways, more forgivable, based on their beliefs, that the Christians try and convince you than that a used car salesman does? After all, like many other religious groups, they believe that they are doing you the highest service in their power by telling you the truth, and that they may save your immortal soul by convincing you. Certainly not all are in it for altruistic reasons, but some are genuinely trying to help. Agrevating or not, isn’t that far more forgivable than the salesman who is just trying to talk you out of your money?

Answer 8

Religious people have found a guiding force in their life, and they believe that those who don't have that force are lost without it and can never really be happy. The desire to convert is usual only seen in Christians and this is their religious duty because in converting you they save your soul from hell. In their eyes to live and let live, your are dooming your fellow humans to hell.

Answer 9

Hypocritical opinions. Don't "they" believe "God holds the power"? And if so, why are "they" attempting to have the power? Forcing opinions on people only creates chaos. Chaos is the way of the world. Without chaos there is no power held - by anyone... except God. Live and let live.

Answer 10

Not superior, just secure. I never handed out tracks on a street corner, God decides who will cross my path and it the door is opened to witness to them then I will.
I will not lie but yes, I do believe Christianity is the only way to get to heaven.