Do you think people influence beliefs more that beliefs influence beliefs?

Question

Do you think that people influence people's beliefs more than beliefs influencing beliefs? For instance, I see a lot of arguments about religion and vegetarianism. One question in the veggie section said, "Do you think vegetarians make people eat more meat?" It seems to me that one should not focus on the people who worship a religion or do not eat meat. They should focus on the belief. What would cause people to focus on the people and not the belief? Also, why is there so much depersonalization going on and hatred?

Answer 1

It is called an ad hominid attack. A logical fallacy that is apparently acceptable in an emotional argument. Thus it is often the messenger rather than the message that is noticed.

Answer 2

Here is a belief for you: Homosexuality is wrong according to the church I was raised in. I believe I am to hate that sin - but love that person (as long as they do not go on practicing their sin-full ways) Then I find out my best friend is homosexual - I find that this friend is human and has all the wants and desires that I have (wanting someone to share my life with - have a family with - love and live with). So do I go on with my belief or do I look rationally at the situation. If the belief were reversed should I be forced abandon my heterosexual ways in order to fit in? You could substitute "red hair" - it is too flashy and my religion tells me a woman should not draw attention to herself.
So I would have to say that people influence beliefs - some people try to etch them in stone and never change - other people see beliefs as changeable when new information is available.
As for your second question - I can feel really superior because I have this large, noisy, religious base that will stand behind me and say I am right (as long as I am stating their beliefs). So why would I want to look at someone as human and perhaps question my own infallibility when I can stand with the masses and be big?

Answer 3

Yes after all a person wrote the bible..koran..ect not GOD so people created religion and everything it involves..

The hatred is caused by radicals that twist the words that are written in these boOKs.

Like the Koran says to convert the neighbor but it doesn't state how that should be done. (Not Exactly How Anyway) So some Muslim extremists twist that to mean that it is ok to force the neighbor to convert to Islam using any means they want to.

Then because of the actions of those few extremists people start to hate Muslims thinking they are all alike when they are not.

Therefore people not only influence beliefs they write them and preach them until they convince others they are true..

Answer 4

When a person holds a belief they represent that belief, and many times they themselves do not live up to that belief. This is true in religion especially. As Christians you represent being a believer in Christ and be a representive for Christ. I think people form opinions about beliefs based on the representives they see from that belief but that doesn't influence the belief. But people influence whether or not that person believes the belief.

Answer 5

Beliefs are the basis for how humanity will exist here. Many power hungry individuals in society and the human race think that if it is true and real to their own belief system put their by parents, teachers anyone who was around their life and influenced them as well, than that is the way all humans should also live and feel. Your personal choices will dictate what you want for your life and who you choose to live that life with.

Answer 6

What are people besides beliefs?
But anyway, some beliefs are experienced more personal than others. If a personal one clashes with another, the other one, and the whole ideology that surrounds it, is more likely to be rejected.