Why are religious Christians and Muslims so OVERSENSITIVE when you critcise or question their faith?

Question

to me, that indicates that deep down inside they know they dont really believe their religion is true at all because if they REALLY believed in their religion they would be comfortable and peaceful even against any criticism or questions.

Answer 1

The question is why wouldn't they? Their followers have based their whole existence around their faith, every move they make is a direct result of their beliefs everything from what they eat, what they drink, who they marry, what they wear, when they pray, its all a chain of events that happen due to their strong faith and values,
To criticize them is to make a mockery of every ting they stand for its basiclly telling them that their whole life is a lie, i wouldnt call it being over sensitive id call it being defensive, they are defending their way of living and believing in what they have been brought up to really ever know,
Maybe to some degree in the back of their tiny minds they might think that maybe its a load of crap, i dont think they are willing to take the gamble with their so called ticket to paradise.

Answer 2

A large part of the sensitivity is due to the apparent majority of questions that follow the formula of "Why is what you believe in is a load of rubbish?". Very few people react well to their views being mocked, especially deep-rooted personal beliefs, religious or otherwise.

Another part is due to the stereotyping of religions, "all Muslims want to be suicide bombers", "Christians are Bible-thumping bigots". Neither is true and people get rather put out by being lumped together with the fringe lunatics who claim to be acting on behalf of a religion, yet violate the essence of the religion by their example.

I suppose the last reason I can think of is that most religious people are rather fed up of their beliefs being criticised, dismissed, or viewed as harmful or brainwashing, often by people who haven't even studied the religion in any real depth, quote verses out of context, etc.

Answer 3

You're generalizing, buddy. I know that there are oversensitive Muslims and Christians out there, but HOW many Muslims and Christians do you know? Until you've known a great deal of them, you shouldn't come to that conclusion.
But, yes, I agree that anyone who's oversensitive about criticism concerning their religion means that they do not feel confident about their Faith. BUT you do have to admit that most often, we people (I'm Muslim but this goes for the Christians too) get a LOT of insults from people who disagree with our Faiths. So I think there's a limit as to how much intolerance from those against us we can handle. I'll answer any question about Islam if I know the answer, but I've noticed that most of the time, anti-Muslims ask questions about Islam ONLY to show their hatred for the religion and its followers and to ridicule them! No one's forcing or even asking them to be Muslims, and not all Muslims are terrorists (as the stupid rumor goes), so why then do people have negative views of all (or even most) Muslims? I don't think that's fair. As for me, personally, it is the criticism of non-Muslims about Islam that has further strengthened my Faith in Islam. The more they question it, the more I search for answers to questions that never came to my mind; and, hence, the more I learn about Islam then, and the more I love it. I'm sure there are people who're total opposites, though.
Peace and blessings be upon you!

Answer 4

You are definitely on the right track. They have a narrow comfort zone and are psychologically very vulnerable.
Religion is what remedies their general insecurities. You can easily witness today the Muslim attitude toward criticism: slash and burn.
The Prophet cartoons were one of the greatest sociological experiments resulting from invasion of the comfort zone.When delusion is combined with ignorance the results are literally explosive.
I really don't know how to measure or explain the Christian reaction to criticism.
The whole religious experience, from a social and political point of view is a total disaster.
I wonder if it can be considered a social illness that has plagued humanity for centuries.

Answer 5

I think that most of it stems from our evolution from the primates. We are very social creatures, with "pack" mentalities. Groups of commonality are what kept us alive and we fought to the death the other groups that threatened our way of life. The same thing occurs today. We think we are the only group that is "correct" and that other groups are wrong or threatening. We still behave like a group of monkeys. OOOH OOOHH AAAHHH AAAH AAAHHH!!

Answer 6

One I am not religious.
I am a Christian.
I am not over sensitive.
I am very comfortable and at
peace with any criticism or questions.

I mainly observe and read.
Oh! And I laugh alot too!
Sometimes the occasional *head thunk* occurs also.

Answer 7

This happens in general with alot of people - its insecurity. People that are secure in their faith should be happy to listen to your questions and/or criticisms. God wants christians to explain to non-believers. Its called spreading the truth.
If you want to have your questions answered by someone who doesnt wrongly take offence, i suggest you try your local pastor.

Answer 8

Bigatory , Narrow Minded , Inflexibility , Brainwashed --- "Ours is the Only Way" Mentality --- Judgemental --- A pain in the Butt ..

Answer 9

Good point, which is why people need to stop creating riots over cartoons, movies and literature. (Monty Python, Comic strips, The Satanic Verses). People need to start becoming sure in themselves and their beliefs in order to survive!

Answer 10

Put downs and name calling is not 'questioning their faith'. Most Christians are glad to answer questions regarding their faith but it's impossible when they are being ridiculed. Legitimate criticism is up for debate but not abusive questions and answers.