Reason's it hurts to have your belief or disbelief attacked?

Question

I'd like to hear from anyone on this subject.

I've been wondering why it's hurts us to have our faith or religion, belief or disbelief attacked.

First, the attacker: Someone who has a deep need to hurt other people, they feel it numbs their own personal pain by causing others to hurt.

We get hurt because it's such a personal possession, maybe the only thing we truly own "Our belief or Disbelief" There are also deep family traditions. If you attack my faith you are also attacking my family, mother, father etc. If you attack my rejection of religion you are attacking by personal choice, my freedom, my free will and my intelligence.

These are my thought's....what do you think??

Answer 1

please let it hurt.

Answer 2

You wouldn't get hurt by someone saying a religion is evil or a load of crap unless you thought that your identity was defined by that religion.

If you think the religion is who you are then an attack on the religion would be seen as an attack on you.

I agree with the philosophy of Satanism. Who I am is NOT Satanism.
Have I always been a Satanist? NO
Will I always be a Satanist? I Don't Know.

I am open to hearing new ideas and considering evidence I hadn't seen before. As well as examining different philosophies and if they fit where I am at personally.
My life is about learning, growing, evolving, and enjoying life so tying myself down to this or that religion and saying it can't change is to limit my ability to do what I really want to do.

Answer 3

Don't be so sensitive to what people say. The fact that you get hurt regarding your belief has to do with the fact that you're either not confident in your belief, or that you yourself disbelief all other philosophies/religions. Use the fact of disagreement from others as your chance to learn something new and don't hang your head when something doesn't make sense because organized religion has no real proof (it's a fact). Make yourself smarter and don't allow yourself to feel anger or resent toward the person who insults your traditions. Ignorance from lack of respect from others should not turn into ignorance of lack of self-respect from you. You dig.

Answer 4

I don't get hurt - I just get annoyed.

Most arguments against theists (of whatever stripe) are completely asisine to say the least. No new original thoughts, no proof, nothing of substance. Just plain hostility, fear, hate and anger.

I thought being sans religion was supposed to open your mind up and free you from the supposed bonds of believing in God. So why all the uncreative attempts to bash theists?

A lot of people take things personally. Faith is something close to a person's heart - and many times they may see a view point as being a direct attack, especially if it is delievered in a hostile manner.

And yes - attacking one's faith can be a very personal attack on one's person and intelligence. Atheists make it very personal. They can't explain why educated people would beleive in a God - so they make beleive that all theists are stupid, ignorant poor rednecks who couldn't tell a rock from the sky if it hit them on the head. It's the only way they can explain it - their fear and inability to understand prompt them to beleive this way.

And when a beleiver gets slapped in the face with type of insult then yes - you do get angry. You are being judged on principles that don't even exist in the real world. Which I think is the core of the problem.

Answer 5

Matthew 7:6 ¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

The pain comes when they trample your pearls and then turn and rend you.

I think it's because they're insecure in their own faith. People who are insecure sometimes turn into bullies. But until they learn to be secure in their own faith, they will attack the faith of others, especially a faith where the followers seem secure in THEIR faith.

Answer 6

Doesn't hurt me, friend. I'm of the opinion that everyone is entitled to thier own thoughts, and freedom of thought is the very thing that will set us all free from religion in general.

It's the ability to think, then act upon that thinking in a positive manner, that places humans above the animals. If someone else chooses to give up the right to think for themselves, it's their business, not mine.

Answer 7

you have a valid point. Attacks on ones beliefs can be hurtful but you have to grow a thick skin and not take things so personally. Does it make a difference to you if i tell you that your attacker does not mean to hurt your family or even you? Usually, they are lef by this delusion that they are right and you are wrong and they are trying to save your dying soul?

Answer 8

I have the faith of the mustard seed and I am persecuted most of the time when I witness to others and it makes me sad to think a person rejects God and would rather live in hell for eternity.. God wants His children to follow Him but we have 2 choices to pick from, good or evil..

Answer 9

Well if it hurts your feelings to debate any subject that you have strong feelings for then you shouldn't be debating the subject matter at all.

On a forum such as this people tend to just attack thoughtlessly rather than really expound on a subject matter.

Answer 10

If you get hurt over something you see on some message board, you're WAY too sensitive for the grownups.

I don't get hurt by anything I see on here. Though I do get annoyed with the stupidity I see spouted by people that should know better.

Answer 11

I agree with you but I think we all have to realize that others have a right to their opinion. As you said we have free will and choice and so do people who don't agree with you.

The most important thing is to stay calm if you discuss your beliefs. No one listens when we get loud and obnoxious.

I do my best to live my beliefs and not to worry about discussing them with others.