How come religion has always been a source of intolerance?

Question

For example, christian church leaders back in the days used to say that the Bible said that black people didn't have any souls therefore couldn't go to heaven...
I mean, we all know what happened during the Spanish Inquisition where all non-christians were persecuted...
And today, it;s the turn of islam Jihad...
Can we just forget about religion?

Answer 1

religious belief is a self-perpetuating delusion.
A meme carries exactly the same psychological motivation as a chain letter - "If you propagate me then something nice will happen, if not then something horrible will happen". In order to justify themselves against attack by reason, memes place absolute reliance on faith, which is seen as being superior to reason. They also contain self-referential or circular claims to the truth such as "This meme says it is the divine truth. Since it is the divine truth whatever its says must be true. Therefore it must be divine truth because it says so and all competing memes must be the work of the devil".

These two types of self-referential statement "propagate me" and "I am the only truth" provide the driving force for memes to invade the minds of their hosts. In addition, many memes contain the instructions "Help people who believe in this meme, attack people who do not". These commands being the ultimate cause of all religious wars throughout the centuries.

Answer 2

They purposely teach intolerance of non-believers to intentionally shun those of other faiths.

This was originally a peer pressure tactic used to spread religions and wipe out any older beliefs that may be held onto. Example: Christians did this to the Celts in order to eliminate their Pagan traditions.... and since no one likes being outcast, the majoirty of people converted.

SInce it has been long instilled in the belief system of many religions, it is difficult to just stop it. These religions are male centered and aggressive so they will not be easily stopped.

The only way to cease all the "religous competition" is to understand that, although we are all individuals, we are also all part of the same world and should be understanding of one another. What we do effects everyone else and inorder to begin to have peace on Earth, we need to take hold of our own lives and practice tolerance, practice love and understanding.... not just preach about it.

I highly doubt we will ever completely wipe out religion, it is benficial in many ways for many people, but we should definately strive to wipe out the arrogance and "holier than thou" attitudes that come packaged with most of them.

Answer 3

there will always be some sort of Religious Belief System as this is one way ancient mankind could explain the works of nature. in modern times Culture and Society have used a Religious Belief System as a way to control the general population. what one Culture and Society believe to be true a differing Culture and Society may not. each differing Culture and Society will try and " convert " the other because their Religious Belief System is the only correct one. they will try to convert the other by force if necessary but Religion will continue.

Answer 4

Well if you look at our laws today they are intolerant and hypocritcal. The whole world is it's just not religion. Everyone is backwards and thinks they are right no matter what.

I believe in God and will you fight for what you believe in? If someone was trying to kill you or a loved one would you fight to protect them?

What about Hitler? It was not a Holy war for him but he slaughtered so many people and Stalin was worse! He killed his own people.

It's a crazy world and seems to get worse everyday.

Take care goold luck. Keep your head up. All you can do is "hope" for the better whether your a non-believe or a believer.

Answer 5

Look at Buddhism:

“I have come to the conclusion that whether or not a person is a religious believer does not matter. Far more important is that they be a good human being”
- The Dalai Lama -

“One country, one ideology, one system is not sufficient. It is helpful to have a variety of different approaches. We can then make a joint effort to solve the problems of the whole of humankind”
- The Dalai Lama -

"Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed"
- Buddha -

Not very intolerant

Answer 6

Well...right from ancient Egypt..the interpretation of religion has been with a few "elite" clergy men. These people are steeped in tradition and conservatism. They had been blind to the changing need of the society and had always had their own view of the "holy books".
It took many radical messiahs to challenge these coterie of "god men" to bring about reforms. So, as long as the the larger population limits its participation in religion, to only visiting shrines/places of worship, these people will thrive and the intolerance will thrive along with them.

Answer 7

intolerance not from the religion but the fanatic take the religion and make it means to drop out their bad ideas and intolerance in the name of religion in any place in the world
and there are burden with Islam that say Muslims is a terrorist and intolerance that is completely wrong wrong wrong

Answer 8

Communism under Joe Stalin, who was anything but religious, was an intolerant regime. He was responsible for the deaths of at least hundreds of thousands of people.
Naziism under Hitler was an intolerant regime. Hitler wasn't exactly a religious fanatic. He was responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of people.
Communism in China, under Chairman Mao, was responsible for deaths which have numbered perhaps in the hundreds of millions.

Now, is there anything else you would like to add about Christians and intolerance?

Answer 9

You forgot about the Protestant inquisition.
If you talk about intolerance, atheists are also very intolerant. Go live in a comunist country, like Korea, Cuba, China, and you will se what it is being intolerant

Answer 10

religion has to do with a persons life now and for all eternity and a lot of people take that really personal, hence the strong beliefs thats why the longest wars in history have been holy wars