Why is religion such a huge issue?

Question

I totally understand that not everyone feels the same way or believes in the same thing, but why do people feel the need to push their views onto others that don't agree with what they were raised on? I personally feel that everyone has to realize you're entitled to have your own view on things and shouldn't try to make people feel differently, what's your take?

Answer 1

Because it's so personal that it hits the core of a person's innermost inner sanctum... of religious and spiritual beliefs.

Sadly enough though, as exhibited in this R&S forum and other similar platforms, some of us don't have the capacity or tools, albeit biased or slanted knowledge, in order to express themselves or their viewpoints well and, ultimately, they result in stereotyping the other person, mudslinging and malicious slander, assault and battery, and end up even killing each other in the name of religion!

Hence the supposedly Holy Crusades of yore had a battle cry that went "Kill in the name of God!" ...No wonder the generations of those who have been hurt by such conflicts many centuries later continue to carry the same hatred to the Infidels [or Christians] today.

Yet no one seems to learn from History itself, but more importantly so, to abide by the lessons taught in Religion itself...

Peace be with you.

Answer 2

I believe that respect for other people's religion is necessary. I'm not hugely religous and i've found that some of my friends become very defensive when i bring up the topic of religion. Yes, your religion is different, but all basically teach right from wrong and so all should be respected. It would make life easier, less arguments, no wars. Respect. In addition, people shouldn't push for belief, they should just listen to the other person's belief and not suddenly start saying how that religion is stupid for whatever reason, just because they don't see. Also, i always wondered, when the Salem Witch Trials were on, they said that witches should be killed and so on, but also that religion [i'm not trying to bag it, i'm just raising a point] hada commandment that thou shalt not harm thy neighbour or something to that effect. Isn't it strange that a commandment can change? For 'special circumstances'?

Answer 3

Religion is not really discussed very much until some one broaches the subject. Or, except when the media catches a religious leader doing something bad.

Even in Church, religion is not that big of issue. We listen to a sermon, we digest it or not, remember it or not, and then have fried chicken for lunch/dinner.

Most people I know speak very little about religion except for the above occasions.

Of course, on this chat group it is a huge issue. If we were on the Aardvark chat group, Aardvarks would be a huge issue.

Answer 4

Because we know the truth and we don't wish for any to be lost. It's no different than if I knew you were about to marry a cheating druggie who just wanted to marry you for your money. If I knew these things and you didn't I would feel obligated to tell you. As much as you may want to argue with me that you know this man inside and out and you trust him completely it would still be up to you to decide what to do. A few months down the road when your bank account is drained and he has left you with some disease you would come back and say "I should have listened to you." Same way with God. If you decide to refuse Him now you will find out later down the road when it's too late. We all will stand before Him on judgment day and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. You can either believe it now or later. Your choice. We just try to save people from the "later" out of love for our fellow man.

Answer 5

The human race is inherently egotistical and unable to be flexible. We are threatened by others who has opposing views and will more often than not fear the unknown or unfamiliar. rather than attempting to understand our fears and differences. We feel the need to attack and ridicule rather than embrace.

That is the reality of the human mind and it is up to the individual such as yourself to make sure than we take the extra step to understand. Those who try to learn and respect are unfortunately in the minority.

Answer 6

But then you're pushing your view that "everyone has to realize you're entitled to have your own view on things and shouldn't try to make people feel differently."

Kidding! ; )

Answer 7

People tend to be defensive when their choice/decision is quenstion.No religions in this world encourage its believers to push their view,the religion itself just want its devotee to be a good person that able to understand the right and wrong of their action.
Only those people who fanatic about his religion mislead others.As long you have faith in yourself and your religion,it doesn't matter what your take is

Answer 8

I think for the those who believe strongly that religion becomes their whole lives. They live by the rules that their religion sets out for them. So, It knocks them off their rocker when the rest of us don't live that way.
But isn't weird that religions teach that you should have compassion for all and yet the crazy religious one's have such narrow ways of thinking?

Answer 9

My opinion is that on this yahoo site, it's difficult not to express our views to others. We all answer questions from our own perspective. Some people are very religious and some are not.

It's okay to have our personal view, it's okay to express that view with passion.

Answer 10

Apart from the question of eternity, religion involves your whole thought system, your whole life philosophy. It should not be a cause of war, or forcing anybody to believe what you believe, but it is certainly a very big issue.