Why do people get so defensive over their religion?

Question

There are quite a few people on here that ask questions relating their own religion and can't accept contradicting answers. Maybe it's just me, but I find that the point of asking such a question is to welcome all answers, not sort the few that agree from the rest.
I've noticed that many of them get very defensive when their beliefs are challenged by someone with an opposing perspective. No one (at least no one that I have observed) can handle this gracefully. Rafael for example asks questions like this in an attempt to convince everyone he can and does it repeatedly ( http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvexlTEwIyi2P.OOmYqdeuDsy6IX?qid=20061217083114AAeIm9Q I can't take arguements like this seriously; but that aside, my question is: Why do people become so defensive when they run into someone who is able to challenge their beliefs? By defensive I mean angry and further misrepresenting their arguement by acting immature rather than handling it with a bit of grace an acceptance

Answer 1

What is not to understand? They have a monopoly on truth based on a book written long ago by men who thought the world was flat and disease is caused by demons. Not only that, they believe it is a violation of their rights if they are denied the opportunity to use the coercive power of the state to shove their superstitious beliefs down every ones throat. We just have to marginalize them, which may mean an all out war against institutionalized stupidity.

Answer 2

Beliefs are deeply ingrained within all of us - and most of us have thoughtfully made a decision about religion. Which is why when somebody attacks the idea, people feel as if they're personally being attacked.

It happens in debate all the time - people have a hard time setting apart personal attacks from academic attacks.

Answer 3

no you're absolutely right when a person asks questions then they should expect to hear all different points of views but unfortunately that's not the case a majority of the time as a majority of the time people ask questions that are biased and want people to feel the same way as they do and they get upset when people don't believe they way that they do and by the way i'm agnostic as you are so i don't dismiss the possibility of anything oh and for the people that ask questions that don't want to hear other people's point of view then they should simply not ask any questions

Answer 4

shall we flow into intensity right here. There are 4 kinds of people The non Believers: incredibly Sane the final Believers: have faith in God yet settle for that people do no longer the different Believers: have faith in a different faith The SRS BSNS Believers: Clinically insane those that have faith everybody who does not shop on with their ideals would desire to be shot You look talking approximately somebody who's SRS BSNS. the clarification as stated is they are clinically insane and rage uncontrollably whilst somebody tells them they are incorrect as of their eyes they are maximum surprising approximately each thing and something. the respond somewhat is to have him placed down...that's the kindest element to do.

Answer 5

Well its simple human nature to want to stand up for what you believe in. Isn't that what Non-believer do as well? Aren't you being defensive about your non-belief???????

Answer 6

For a couple of reason's, they hold it dear to them, they love it so much. Okay, truthfully, I don't know. Wonderful question though.

Answer 7

brainwashed peeps

Answer 8

insecurity and weakness of their "faith"

Answer 9

▼I try not to▼