Anyone else tolerant of religions, but intolerant of those that did no active reasoning to come by it?

Question

As an atheist, I have no problem with others believing what they will. My problem is that most people believe what they do because they were told to. They haven't done the reasoning or research or thought it through themself to come to understand just what in the world they really are believing.

Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

I completely agree with you. I think that ignorance runs rampant when it comes to religious beliefs. So many individuals are born into a religion, and because they are told that it is truth, they believe without question. Now I know that believing truly is what we consider faith - but how can faith be true when the decision to believe was initially not your own.

I have an 18 month old son - and we have decided not to provide him with any religious indoctrinations. I want him to know what every religion is about and that the true key to life is just being a good person and most importantly - having faith in yourself.

There are so many individuals in the world today that speak about issues they don't have a clue about. They believe the propaganda that they are told on the news and in their homes. And so, the vicious cycle repeats itself. We have sadly forgotten that one of our greatest abilities as human beings is educated choice.

Answer 2

Just about all religious people follow the religion of their parents. They seldom take the occupation of their parents, or live in the State or Nation of their parents. But religion is something else. The percentage of converts is very low.
It's like a person saying that he likes apple pie so much that he's never tasted any other. He believes that apple is so good that there is no use in even trying anything else.
As for me, I've made a study of the beliefs of all the religions in order to be able to compare them. After tons of books I have to conclude that the purpose of belief is a way of avoiding the natural end. Everything in religion is propped up by the supernatural. To me, there is no supernatural. Everything is either natural or just superstition.

Answer 3

By willingly following any religion or belief blindly is not faith. It is the acceptance of the heart and the willingness to learn and grow and even question the tenets of any faith that is true belief. Blind obedience is just that, blind. As a person of the christian faith, I have come to realize that I learn more and more everyday about my faith and as I learn my outlook and heart changes more. It seems that the understanding I am coming to have is that intolerance of others is not love and that is truly what my faith is all about. That does not mean that I have to like anothers behavour or treatment of others. But, it does mean that I should love and care for them no matter what. It seems that you are really saying that anyone that believes in anything of a religious nature is not very smart. As an atheist, why should you care? I mean, as a person that does not believe in anything other than your own ability, why should you care what others think or believe? If we are all stupid or silly for our faith, why not just let us be so and be happy with it? I would rather have my faith and find out it wasn't true than to not have it and find out it was. My life and behavour reflects my faith and has made me a better person. I'll take that over non-belief anyday.

Answer 4

That is all I ask of anyone. Because for one thing... doing the research, they will learn that their religion is false. (But they don't like hearing that... so let's just forget I said it)

Here's the politically correct version of it - Doing the research, they will learn and understand why others don't believe the same, and will be far less likely to "wage war" on those that are different.

Answer 5

I agree up until the point at which these beliefs begin to effect my life and the lives of my fellow human beings. Legislation of who can marry who, What kind of medicine can be researched, attempts to change history (christian nation, etc.), demeaning science in favor of myth.

If you want to believe something, that's fine. I'll still think you are silly for doing so but as long as it remains your opinion I'm fine with that. When you start carrying a sign around pronouncing what your imaginary friend wants me to do, or what he/she/it hates... you've gone too far.

Answer 6

I am tolerant to all religions, that is how I was raised, and I cannot stand people who try to convert others. I grew up knowing I was Jewish, but thats about it. When I moved to FL, I did research on Judaism, the customs, beliefs, and history of it, and became more religious. I had really good friends invite me to church services and youth group, and in return I invited them to temple. I even took a course on world religions to learn about other religions, and I have decided to stay with Judiasim. No one has forced me to make this decision. In fact, its driving my parents nuts! But they accept it. And thank you for your tolerance.

Answer 7

Well, that's not really your place to judge. Who cares why they believe what they believe? The only reason you should give a pair of dingo's kidneys about someone else's religion is this: If their religious beliefs are directly responsible for them harming someone.

From what I can tell, you consider yourself rational and others irrational because you have OMF KONKREET REEZUNS for not believing in a higher power and others just believe what they want to believe. That sounds more like a superiority complex on your part than a problem on their part.

Answer 8

I do at times find it difficult to remember that each of us, conscious or unconscious :-), are on our individual paths. It can be tough to remember that each individual has the right as well as the responsibility to choose in life that which we will. Even if the choice is based upon, "that's the way my folks believed (did it, whatever), and what's good enough for them is good enough for me," it's still a choice. It is even tougher to remain respectful when their choices seem to be the foundation for a lot of hatred and warfare.

Answer 9

I have experience that is relevant to that because I was brought up in a household where nothing more than very liberal adherence to Christianity was practiced, yet one of my brothers has become a commited born again Christian so upbringing isn't always a factor in shaping religious beliefs.

Answer 10

I agree, as a recovered christian and "devout" atheist, I get annoyed by the often arrogant statements from some christians saying that I don't understand...

Well, I've done more research than they ever will and it led me to atheism.