Religion and interference?

Question

I have seen so many "questions" on this site about people wanting justification for the beliefs of others. What I want to know is what makes anyone believe they have a right to tell someone else what to believe? Our beliefs may be a sin in your eyes, or they may be a stupid bunch of, as one recent question stated, "bull#@$", but why should you care what another believes? What gives anyone the idea that their way is the one way for everyone?

I'll clarify: I want to know what people personally think, not what their religions say. I am not pushing my religion or lack thereof on anyone. It's an honest question because it's something that has never occurred to me to do. I don't understand how anyone could fail to acknowledge the mind of another.

Since this was mentioned, I understand the political power and historical aspect. Personally, the religion I identify with was so nearly wiped out in the rise of Christianity that these days people have no clue what it is and ask me if I'm wiccan or believe in magic or something if the topic arises.

Answer 1

We debate the beliefs of others because A. we want to know if their beliefs are right for us. B. We want to meet on common ground.C. We want affirmation for our own beliefs.

Answer 2

One doesn't become a 'believer' in something if they honestly think it's not the 'right' way. Whether its Pilates, comic books, opening a savings account, the loch ness monster, whatnot, the point is that the 'believer' comes to the point that this thing is 'true'.

Where the problem occurs is that because our truths, in fact, become like our children, we end up becoming the 'parents' of our own faith. And, like parents, when soemthing comes along that 'threatens' the well-being of our children, our response is to 'kill' or remove the threat.

Does the fact that Islam exist mean that Christianity cannot exist, or if Christianity exists, then Hinduism can't exist? If you start off from the premise not only that 'I am right, and everyone else is wrong' but that 'because I am right, all that is wrong should go away', then you start creating winner-taken-all positions.

Can the U.S. exist along with the Netherlands? Can two different cultures exist in the same world, and even have different laws? Can there be travel and commerce and communication between the two? Can India exist along with a China along with an Israel?

Religions are kinda like that. Religions are like 'fish' that think there can only be one fish for there to be 'peace'. Yet, if there was only one fish populating the entire ocean, it would be a sad and lonely place, hardly peaceful. Unfortunately, it is only when one has 'achieved' one's goal does one realize what one's goals truly were.

I don't worry about those who disparage others behind a mask of 'religion'. More often than not, they are actually breaking a major tenent of their beliefs. Jesus actually said to 'love thy enemy', and its more likely than not Jesus will be more worried about how much 'love' was given to thy brother when one was on Earth than in how many bible verses one quoted.

Answer 3

There's a vast difference between telling another what to believe or calling the beliefs of another person a bunch of whatever and freely and openly debating the merits of a particular religious tradition. Unfortunately, it seems as if too many of our fundamentalist Christian brothers and sisters have not yet learned that each person is granted the right to believe anything that he/she wishes or nothing at all and that wreaking condemnation down upon the heads of those who do not believe in the narrow set of prejudices of their own Christian tenets is not open debate about the merits of a religion. I agree: what makes anyone think that they their way is the best way for anyone else?

Answer 4

Some belief systems have had so much power in the past and would take it again if the opportunity arose. They have used religion to oppress people by keeping them uneducated yet they want to become involved in education now. Some have kept the world in darkness by actively suppressing knowledge because it's origins were unacceptable and some still do this.

We cannot sit idly by and allow this to happen. If by questioning (and the occasional use of ridicule of stupidity) I can even slightly impede their progress, I will

Answer 5

Because if you let people believe in whatever they want to, they're going to pick some stupid beliefs. That in itself is fine; it's when they start acting on their beliefs they cause grief and hamper the progress of the human knowledge. People simply cannot be allowed to believe in religion, all willy-nilly. We must study the universe in order to love it more! The human race can not afford religion any longer!

Answer 6

I agree with Fruitcake, there are good and justified reasons for debating. However, there is a difference between a debate and flat out ignorance. I seem to find a lot of questions (and I use the term question loosely) that are formed out of ignorance.....

Answer 7

Do you know why people quarrel so much? It is because they don't know how to argue. Most people seem not to have any understanding of how their ideas fit together, and when you point out their inconsistency it makes them uneasy, so they often attack, since their ideas are indefensible.

Answer 8

Matthew 28:19-20
(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Answer 9

That's why:

We have to spread the gospel of the FLying Spaghetti Monster

Ramen !

http://www.venganza.org

Answer 10

I think it is because of one word. Truth.
Many believe they have it, but only one way can be.