Why does religion and intolerance often seem to go hand in hand?

Question

Intolerance of other people's faiths. Intolerance of people without a faith. Intolerance of science. Intolerance of a woman's right to make choices about her body. Intolerance about sexual liberation. Intolerance about sexuality. Intolerance about change. Intolerance about new idea's.

These are all examples of intolerance that religion often condones, supports, and in many ways is the cause of.When you confront a religious person about one of these examples they will quote a section of their religious texts as if to assume that everyone on Earth believes that the text they are reading from is absolute truth.Which to me also displays arrogance.Must people know that there is probably a religous passage that explains why they are intolerant.And I am sure I will get to hear one or two of them.But that doesn't explain why religion and intolerance seem to go hand in hand.

So why does religion and intolerance seem to go hand in hand?

Also, notice I did say "seem".I did this because I know that not all religious people are intolerant.So, this is not a question about all religious people.It is a question about the relationship between intolerance and religion in general.

Sexual liberation in this case is defined as women having equal rights and treatment in all area's.Sexuality in this case is defined as people who are heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual.

Answer 1

People who are religious embrace their faith and their religious doctrine. The Bible and Qur'an condemn many things, and mold how people think. Many simply cannot, or do not, think beyond these texts. As a result they see things in black and white, good or bad, acceptable or not acceptable. They forgot one vital teaching though, and that is that Allah/God is the ONLY judge. If they could remember that, and remember that all religions teach love and acceptance, they would naturally be more tolerant.

Answer 2

It's a matter of degree. Most people are intolerant of child molesters, murderers, thieves, etc. Yet some are tolerant of those. Christians are taught to be intolerant of evil, what we call sin. Some Christians are more tolerant or intolerant of sin than others.
Tolerance never was a Christian virtue. It's an American ideal that Christians have to come to terms with.

Answer 3

Hello I am a Demopubli.... :)


intolerant

adjective
1. unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion [ant: tolerant]
2. narrow-minded about cherished opinions [syn: illiberal]

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It is people that are intolerant of one another..some are judged and put in one lump category..which would fit under the definition of intolerant.. :(

I Love everyone, no matter what their Faith, or lifestyle..it is the sin that we do not agree with..

When you speak of sexual liberation..you also speak of people who also say that they were born pedophiles..see NARTH.. :(

http://www.narth.com/docs/pedophNEW.html

Are you tolerant with them..I Love them and will always keep them in my heart and prayers.. :)

It is not the freedom of the woman to choose I do not agree with..it is the same freedom for that the poor little innocent child, that is not given and also allowed the same rights as the Mom..

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Why are others intolerant with Christians:

Unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion and are narrow-minded about Christian's cherished opinions.. :(

I will alway continue to Love everyone..No matter what others say..if this is intolerant..than what does "Love" really mean to you..

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 4

Because some of the most popular religions are completely illogical. People are inherently logical creatures. In order to rectify this imbalance, people convince themselves that everyone else's beliefs are wrong.

Sort of like the idea that an insane person doesn't think they're insane. And a paranoid person thinks everyone is out to get them when really they're their only enemy.

Answer 5

God has given us guidelines on how to live our lives that best promote harmony with one another. He has also given these guidelines as a stepping stone to return back to His presence. People who feel that being disobedient to these principals is in some way punished by punitive rantings of intolerance, don't fully understand that these commandments have been given to us by a loving Heavenly Father that only has our happiness and well being at heart.

Answer 6

Intolerance is one thing and peoples desire to live their delusional inclination is another. You mentioned "intolerance about sexual liberation" and "sexuality," does that include rapists and child molestors? Most evil that has plagued mankind disguised in "religion." Godness and morality transcends religion and groups.