How come some people want to change other people's beliefs?

Question

I've seen some people wanting to change other people's beliefs, like some atheists wanting religous people and agnostics to be atheists and some religous people wanting none believers, atheists, aganostics and people of different religions to believe they're religion etc. I haven't seen any agnostics on here trying to change anyones beliefs. I dunno if they're are any that think religous people or athiests should change they're beliefs.
How come some people want to change other peoples beliefs? How come some people can't accept other peoples different beliefs? How come some people insult other people because of they're beliefs. How come we can't all get a long? Everyone is different.

Sorry if their is any dodgy spelling or puntuation.

CD: I know not all Atheists do that. I mean some Atheists not all.

CD: I mostly asked this question because of this question someone asked. (see link). I know not all Atheists are like that though, but I've seen some people of all different beliefs try to change other people's beliefs and sometimes insult them. Hope I didn't offend you.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AppWZsTmCmFmgwQgkFa1VrLty6IX?qid=20070330164239AAnlc7A&show=7#profile-info-a8e5caeeee68e0926608cda3091883ceaa

Answer 1

It's a matter of xenophobia and intolerance to an extent, I think...

OH NO!!! SOMEONE BELIEVES SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT I BELIEVE!!!!!!

Label them heretics, burn them at the stake, or call them idiots and morons and tell them to go back to school and learn science... as if there is no grey in the world. As if it HAS to be evolution or creation.... I personally don't care how we got here, what matters to me is that we're here now.

Believers claim that Atheists just need to have faith, I say Atheists do have faith, they have faith that there is no evidence for Divinity. This doesn't bother me. I think it takes more guts to stand up for yourself as an atheist than it does to stand up for yourself as believing anything else... there's almost a mindset that 'at least the pagans have some kind of deity', and then they try to pass off Science or Logic as atheist's God... this works, but not quite, because I can see Science or Logic as Divinity, but it's something I've found on my own... if you see no evidence of Divinity, you will not find it, even in or as Science or Logic.

Agnostics, however, basically don't know/aren't sure (to varying degrees) on the existance of Divinity. I used to call myself Agnostic, but I'm not Agnostic, I have found my Divinity, and I seek It in daily life. When you seek and have asked questions of yourself and others and researched and learned, after a while, you stop questioning other people's beliefs... somewhat... I still like to know what makes people tick, but it's mostly to deepen my respect for other people's beliefs and enhance my own knowledge.

The conclusion I've come to?

Divinity was smart enough when we came about to know that we would never all agree upon what to call It. Also, knowing the vast gulf between It's own Perfection, and our imperfection, made sure Truth was left in all the sacred texts that sadly had to be written, rewritten, translated, and mistranslated over the generations by our poor faulty selves. This is why, despite everyone's best efforts, a True Believer in any Path will not convert to another Path.

How come we can't all get along? Well, simply put, we're just faulty humans.

Answer 2

I can think of two reasons why people try to change other people's beliefs. The first comes from the pulpit. Churches get big bucks for large congregations. The more people the more money. The second reason, which comes on a more individual basis, is due to believing that we have found "the answer" and want everyone else to share in our new found enlightenment. It boils down to defending what one believes is right. Or true. But what people forget is what's good for the goose is not always good for the gander. Not all religions are meant for everyone. Each religion got a small piece of the truth, and one day we all will know the whole truth, whatever it may be. Until that time, the war of who is right will continue.

Answer 3

I know alot of it seems like atheists are trying to change others beliefs, and undoubtely many of the posts are rude and insulting, but for the most part it is merely correcting false notions and lies.

For example, telling someone that the earth is 4.3 billion years old is not an attempt to change a creationist belief, but merely to state a fact.

Answer 4

Because when you convert someone to your way of thinking, it somehow grants credence to your belief. After all... two people can't wrong...than 2 becomes 4 and so on...

but unfortunately, it becomes a lot like the childhood game of "telephone" or how a rumor starts... by the time it gets to the last person, it usually is completely skewed and had little to do with the original message.

Answer 5

I am not sure. I will admit that I am an atheist who is trying to convince religious people who believe in God to become atheists. I respect and am O.K if these people decide to keep believing in God. I think that looking back at all of the question about religion I have answered I have Insulted many of these religious people. Looking at all of the accomplishments and my accomplishments that me and my fellow atheists have accomplished I sometimes think of religion as fiction, being a person with much success in the world of archeology I do not believe in God and think of myself as a stubborn person who wants others to think the same as I think.

Answer 6

In some cases it's because it's been drilled into their heads that it's the right thing to do since birth.

In others it's because they truly do believe they are somehow saving you, even though as in the case of some athiests that do it they don't realize that they're being just as bad as any religious fanatic.

In general I think it's fear and insecurity. People don't like diversity. They don't like having someone around who might imply that they can be wrong about what they believe (or don't believe) or what they think. Because if they are wrong about their belief (or lack of) they can be wrong about everything else in their life and they are too fearful to reexamine themselves and their lives.

People like that are to be pitied, really.

Answer 7

Because many people have beliefs that are stupid and dangerous to society.

For example, I know many people who belief that child molesters should not be imprisoned, punished, or even publicly pointed out. Their excuse for protecting child molesters is that "God forgives everyone" and "no one is perfect." Somehow, this makes it perfectly okay for children to get raped.

This type of perverse belief is all too common among religious people and it should not be tolerated.

Answer 8

People want to change other peoples beliefs because they think those peoples beliefs are wrong. Im a Christian...and i guess u can say im trying to " change " their beliefs...but i dont stuff it down their throat. if they dont wanna hear it...i will shut up. if they are open minded and want to hear what i have to say...i will be the same back to them. but even if they wont listen to me...i will still listen to them. as a Christian....God wants us to do good...even when others dont do the same to us.
i dont insult other people....if i make an offense...like maybe by accident then i try to tell them that i am truly sorry...and i really am!!! i accept other peoples beliefs....but sometimes i want them to accept mine. and when i accept theirs...that doesnt mean i wont tlk to them about God...but like i said..if they want to shut me out...then i wont talk.



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Answer 9

Atheists don't want to change others beliefs. Me thinks you have never talked to any atheists.

In what way have atheists tried to change others beliefs? Been atheist my entire life. Never seen one try to change anybody. point out the fallacies about believing in god fantasies, but never try to change anybody.

Answer 10

Because when people are enlightened and abandon false beliefs they are invariably grateful to the people who helped them. The best way is to teach critical thinking skills so that people can distinguish between true and false ideas on their own.