Why are people so critical of other's beliefs?

Question

Its something I've never understood. Belief is a very personal thing and none of us have the right to attack someone elses beliefs just because we don't believe them ourselves. .or do you think we do?

Personally I am Wiccan, yet I don't go around telling people with different beliefs, or no beliefs at all.. that they are wrong to believe what they do. I also raise my son unbiasedly in that I want him to make his own choices .

Surely what we choose to believe ..or not to..is our own problem , what gives others the right to jump down our throats for it?

Answer 1

Speaking from experience I have found that other religions and beliefs are very tolerant of other people's views and providing no one is hurt I dont think anyone cares. However over the years I have met many christians who have gone out of their way to A) Tell me I am wrong and B) give me literture and religious books to save my soul. when I tell them I am happy with who I am they still will move heaven and earth to convert me. This type of behaviour has been demonstrated throughout history - other cultures being made to convert to christianity and wars occurring where thousands of people died and the rivers ran red with blood. To the point that one group believed in something different and the christians were eager to convert and save their souls. I was harrassed and followed home and had my phone ringing off the wall because this christian lady was hell bent on saving my soul.

At the end of the day people need to respect and accept anothers view. and that in itself is a great test of faith. To have your set of beliefs but trust that God will handle things through "Christ our lord" and that the other people who have opposing beliefs with be left to God's judgement and grace. I would be happy with that. Then I could be who I want to be. There is this poem that is great words of comfort to the bereaved and it starts off with the lines "I am I and you are you". This line pretty much sums up how i wish people would act. Common respect for all Gods children and faith that God will handle the non believing ones. Now I dont believe that I believe in spirits and the spirit world and intitition and being kind to animals and people and doing the best I can to make this world a better place and I am sure you do to. And if everyone would just say " This person is a good person and I will leave them to sort out their views with God" then we could all be our selves and be more tolerant and accept individuality. We coud be accepted on merit and just be allowed to be the people we want to be. This self determination is a simple request. If I ask for religious guidance great but if I tell people about me views and I am told "I will go to hell". and that I have mental health issues or are not worthy simply because my views are different from them than I feel humiliated and belittled and basically feel unaccepted for being me. And I am sure this negativity is not very inspiring to anyone.

I too raise my children with openness and understanding and I want them to chose their own religious and spiritual path, so good on you.

Answer 2

I like to distinguish between belief and faith.

Consider a man whose belief in God is so strong he puts on a blindfold and walks out into a field of holes. People looking on think that he has great belief in God. And who could deny this?

However the sunlight falls on a man walking around blind folded in a field of holes.

What is God going to do?

--The man is testing God
--The man is not using the faculties he has for good judgment.

Belief can fall in this area.

Belief can be a form of judgment of others. I believe that orange people have no soul and should pay twice as much for rice.

Now this belief is judgment and still this is belief so there is no way to deny it. It is infringing on the rights of others. Time for a religious war.

Belief therefore is a form of human judgment and is therefore subject to criticism and error. Criticism based on other beliefs is not welcome, it is like tossing rocks. But if this belief Wiccan did not serve you I could say something because I care about you. As far as I know Wiccan is safe and benefits the community of Wiccans. All sorts of issues come to mind, when these systems of belief were practices widely some people were harmed, is there a fundamentalist Wiccan movement? Will there be 30 years from now? Some people feel polytheism is always associated with some kinds of abuse, why should this change? Educate people about Wiccan.

You are right, no one should jump down our throats. But give them some room and give them some time. I am sure they care about you more than they fear Wiccan.

Peace and love

Answer 3

That is a good question. It makes sense to me in that, if you believe something to be true, then other beliefs must be false. If you don't think yours are true, then you wouldn't believe them. I enjoy having discussions with people of other religions, I like to learn what they think, and share what I think and how we're different or the same. This is totally possible to do and remain respectful at the same time.

From a Christian viewpoint, which is the only one I'm qualified to talk from, we believe that the Bible is truth. From there, people who don't acknowledge Jesus as Lord are not going to heaven, but will be tossed into the lake of fire. If I believe that to be true, doesn't it make sense that I would not want those I love to be tossed out??

It's like I see a bus barrelling down the street about to run someone over. Do I tackle them out of the way and risk breaking some ribs, or do I just keep quite so as not to make them think I'm telling them they're wrong to stand in the road at that moment?

I would hope people could see from another's perspective before being offended. I know that some Christians are just rude, and for that, I apologize. Some people are ignorant, some prideful, some are well intentioned but just don't know how to go about things.

Answer 4

People have the right to hold false beliefs, but at the same time, I have the right - and the responsibility - to point out that those beliefs are false.

I don't think that I attack people for simply being wrong - pointing out the mistake is not "attacking". I do get a little hot under the collar when I see all the intentional lying, though: I believe that is wrong, and that it should be stopped. But simply holding false beliefs? That's always going to happen.

Answer 5

Tolerance has never been one of humankind's strongest traits unfortunately. I think we should live and let live, but as there are many aggressors in the world there comes a time when one has to defend oneself and one's beliefs. It is this "I am right and you are wrong" attitude on beliefs which is at the root cause of wars. As you say WHY??!! We only have one planet and we should all be able to live here peaceably not looking over our shoulder all the time.

Answer 6

I think it's because people don't like their own beliefs shaken.

I remember that a group marched outside M. Sheppards funeral with signs reading that he was in hell. Okay, get that you don't agree with homosexuality, but was it necessary to deepen the pain and sorrow of his family and friends?

There is so much to learn from people with different backgrounds and beliefs. My core beliefs have remained the same (Christianity) but maturity, experience, and interactions with others has shaped them and myself and I think I'm a better, more tolerant person because of this.

Good for you with regard to how you raise your child. I think it would be difficult to raise children and allow them to find their way at the same time.

Answer 7

have you ever over herd a conversation and you knew without a doubt that what the person was saying was wrong, and jumped in to correct them?... That is kind of how it is with peoples beliefs. It is wrong to try and force someone to see things your way, but that being said there is nothing wrong with trying to share your knowledge with someone else so long as you remain respectful of them.

Answer 8

belief is noooot a personal thing. One may believe what he wants, but others will judge him nevertheless. And everyone wants others to believe what they are. That is kinda how Christianity works, they just go around converting people.

Answer 9

I believe I should have the right to believe in what I want to believe in!
Without someone forcing their religion down my throat, and condemning me to their Hell!
And I didn't know what Wiccan was, until I looked it up, it is nice to learn something new...............lol

Answer 10

You start off with the proposition that someone is attacking someone else's faith. The truth doesn't attack darkness, it shines the light into it. Christians have a reason to tell others about what they believe.