Why are some people so intolerant towards other religions?

Question

According to Merriam Webster online:
INTOLERANT:
1: unable or unwilling to endure
2 a: unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters b: unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights : BIGOTED

Even some Christians who say they are tolerant spew forth this nonsense that if you don't accept Jesus then you'll burn in hell forever (which is a theory that has many flaws to begin with.)

So my question is, what is it that drives people towards that?

I'm not just talking about Christians either, although they do seem to be on the front of it.

Erika: Ah, but you still throw it in our faces and expect us to believe it, and that, my dear, is not endurance.

MythBustr:
I do, in fact, have disdain for intolerance. It annoys the crap out of me. I think that as hard as we have worked to gain our freedoms that we shouldn't screw it up so soon.

I try to be kind to everyone, and treat everyone the same. However, if you are really asking for it, you'll probably get it. I ignore instances where people throw their religion in my face, as it's not worth my time. I do accept people as they are, I may not like them, but I'm sensible enough keep quiet about it.
People can do whatever they want, that's not for me to decide.
I don't think belief in Jesus is nonsense, it's a legitimate belief, and if it works for you, that's fantastic.
As for hell, well, considering we leave our material bodies here (which have all our pain receptors) how exactly are we supposed to feel the flames? Considering the only thing there will be an ethereal soul, what will burn?
I have no problems with people proclaiming their religion. I hope everyone has some sort of faith.

Answer 1

In my experience the kind of people who get overzealous and preachy about religion (or anything else, for that matter) are usually very insecure, and desperate to believe in something. From what I've seen, their need to convince other people that their belief is right likely stems from a need for approval from others because they are doubting themselves, and fear that if they don't convince you to think like them, you may say something that causes them to doubt their entire system of belief, which they may already be doing on a subconcious level. Also, some sects have specific doctrines that teach members that they must actively convert others to be a good member, and ultimately, get to heaven.

It boils down to being afraid of death, and not wanting to either screw up the afterlife or spend life worrying about it. That type doesn't accept that there might be more than one answer, because it could mean either, a) they're wrong, and going to have an unhappy eternity or b) they're wrong, and they've wasted a lot of time and energy, or missed out on a lot of fun things for nothing. Just try not to let them get to you!

Answer 2

Accepting Jesus is what every human being must do. It sounds narrow, yes. It sounds intolerant of other religions too, I know. Hell is a place that is enlarging itself to be able to hold all of those who are going there, it's a sad, sad truth. The last days of this world as it is are here and in the last days, anti-christ spirit will be rampant. There are many churches teaching false doctrine. The devil can appear as an angel of light. The true way is wrong today because of these churches. Many are deceived but the truth can still be had.
God loves man. This is found to be true when you understand the story of why Jesus came and died.
People are blinded by the god of this world, the devil is crafty. God has provided the solution for the worlds problems. It is His Son Jesus.
Religions of the world are like clubs that we join. We find one that suits us. That somehow fills the need in us. They all are counterfeits or imitations.
Believing in Jesus as Gods only outstretched hand of hope should not be categorized as a religion. He delivers from sin. Having Jesus on the inside is more than a mere religion. He is life, He is truth, He is light, He is all in all.

Answer 3

The universe functions in a state of Absolute Truth... the sun does burn, the earth does turn... and that wont change no matter how hard you believe... so of course if there is Truth, then there are people who are wrong. So indeed it doesn't matter whether it is politically correct to say people who go against that Absolute Truth go to Hell, they will regardless of whether or not we think it is just, or fair, or right. And even if you may profess tolerance I'm pretty sure when that stupid fool in Chem 101 speaks up with a wrong answer he is not treated as if he has just had a major world shaking revelation.

Answer 4

Why are we expected to have tolerance for everything except intolerance?

It is evident that you don't agree with with intolerance. You believe it is wrong to be intolerant.

You believe, do you not, that intolerant people must change before you will accept them?

Isn't this also intolerance?

You want people to just accept you as you are, so why can't you just accept intolerant people for who they are?

Are you willing to grant these people equal freedom of expression and share their social, political, and professional rights?

Are you not a bigot to say belief in Jesus is nonsense?

Can you name just one of the "many flaws" of Christ's teachings on hell?

What drives you toward bigotry against those who take Jesus at His word?

If people don't think their faith is the right one, then why proclaim that faith to begin with? Why hold to any belief at all? By your definition, no one should hold firm to any form of religion.

Is it acceptable to you for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists to hold firm to their faith, or are they all bigots too? Or are you just holding Christians to a different standard?

Answer 5

Well it's what you were brought up with that you (most likely) end up believing. It's almost set in stone because you've learned it from such an early age and you have learned that other religions are wrong. It's okay to believe in just your religion and not want to learn about other religions so long as you're not yelling at people and shoving it in their faces that they're wrong and they're going to hell or whatever opposite there is in your religion. That's why people have so many fights over religion how would you like it if you were minding your own business and somebody got up in your face and told you you were going to be tortured for all eternity because you didn't worship the way they did?
Which is another thing, humans like routine and religions have routine for them, you push people towards other religions that makes them go out of their comfort zone and makes them angry. People have to be willing to learn to not get upset.

Answer 6

There is a such thing as absolute truth--either something is right or it isn't...this relative morality (what's right for me may not be right for you) just doesn't fly.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

You can believe whatever you want, that's up to you. It'll be you who will face the consequences. Hopefully you will come to believe that Christ died for you...salvation is a free gift, all you have to do is accept it!

Answer 7

Fear. Fear that the many threads that hold their own religion together will unravel if any other ideas are explored or considered. Fear that if they look too closely at their own beliefs they will be forced to admit to themselves that there might be a chance their beliefs are baseless...very religious people of any faith do not want the specifics of their religion brought out into the daylight - it is too easy to see the flaws.

Remember the saying "He protests too much..."

Answer 8

Because so many religions repeat over and over again in their scripture that THEIR religion is real and all others are falst.

It makes religion the most divisive thing in the history of the planet.

Answer 9

Believing people will go to hell is not intolerant! Unwilling to grant equal freedom? We let them, they are doing it, arnt they? People will go to hell, and believing so is what we believe, if you dont believe it, im sad for you, but you can believe what you want!

Answer 10

Christians who know the truth are intolerant towards error, which can damn the soul, in the same way that a medical doctor is intolerant towards shamans and witch doctors, who prescribe cures that kill their patients.