Why does religion invoke so much hostility?

Question

You can see it here even in these message boards, people feel so strongly and are so angry against opposing views. I really can't understand that.

Answer 1

I don't think that it is really the religion that provokes the hostility that you see. I think that people show hostility and anger from a place of fear. Fear can be from ignorance or a sense that they have to be "right". Not being able to accept themselves and other peoples right to choose for themselves.

Answer 2

Your observation is correct. You have been reading about it as the world media concentrates on sensationalising hostility in the Middle East where religion is perceived as being the Cause of so much contention.
But if look careful enough, much of the hostility of late i.e; of the late 20th Century, the 90's in particular, after the end of the Cold War, was in fact concentrated in Africa between warring factions and tribes and opposing political regimes that has nothing to do with religion.
I believe normal people do feel some degree of anger or rejection against opposing views; on matters concerning God and the Truth especially whenever their basis of Faith is being challenged. But the real issues here are protecting ourselves with knowledge and understanding that we have against people who are capable of channeling our degrees of anger into full-scale hostility for their greater greed and power and other all sorts of ulterior motives.

Answer 3

I'm sure people in the sport section fire up at times too...the AMD/Intel and Linux/Windows debated get heated as well it's just that religion has so many more choices and so many more interested people than anything else. The hostility comes in because we all believe we are correct and we have trouble accepting that someone else can look at the same thing and see something different.

Answer 4

Good question.....One God, so we should have one religion. A united brotherhood all worshiping the same God. Right from the beginning Satan divided the only worshipers on earth to separate from God. So you see, he's the problem why we can't get together and a good way to divide us is through religion. To go back to the pure worship of God we need to ask ourselves how does God want me to worship Him, not how I would like to worship Him. Search out the scriptures and find out who among mankind is truly serving God God strongly disapproves of religion that is merely a formalism. (Isa. 1:15-17) True religion upholds the Bible’s standard of morality and clean speech instead of weakly going along with popular trends. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5) Its members reflect the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23) So, those who adhere to true worship can be identified because they sincerely endeavor to apply Bible standards in their lives not only at their places of meeting but in their family life, at their secular work, in school, and in recreation.

Answer 5

Ecclesiastes 7:5,6,16,17,18

Wisdom


5 It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke
than to listen to the song of fools.

6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
so is the laughter of fools.
This too is meaningless.

16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?

17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?

18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .

The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .

Answer 6

Religions have different beliefs and some disrespectful ppl believe that their religion is "THE" way to believe and they have no problems with getting snotty when ppl of different beliefs have an opposing view.

Answer 7

I don't mind a healthy debate, but I do have a problem with the baiters on here. Looking to start a fight with their ignorant and rude questions. The problem on here is that there are a few rotten apples and they spoil it for everone else!

Answer 8

Lack of experience. No sense of humor. I believe God has a sense of humor. A God without a sense of humor is inflexible right along with the believer. Therefore not open to the Truth, whatever that may be.

Answer 9

I think its time people admit, we often dont like something that we dont agree with it. Just stating the obvious I know, but its about time.
NEWS FLASH
Theist dont like non theism
Atheist dont like theism
Jews dont agree with christianity
Christians do not agree with Islam
Muslims dont agree with Judaism
Spiritualist dont agree with 'atheism'
And Fundamental Agnostics disagree/agree with everyone
etc etc
Now which religion wins the prize for the LEAST murders in history to help their religion flourish?

Answer 10

Because it's so personal. Anything that may even remotely be considered negative could be viewed as a personal attack.