Why is the discussion of religion such a volatile subject?

Question

A lot of people seem to get so narrow minded and intolerant even voilent when having differences with others in spiritual discussions. It is very dismaying because those behaviours are so contridictory to the teachings of the worlds faiths.

Answer 1

It is due to a fervent passion people have for their religious belief and to be attacked about it, reproached and even slandered can cause a person to become very defensive.
We as humans have a lot to learn from people like Gandhi, Mother Theresa, the Buddhist monk, the Muslim, the Jewish survivor, because of the wisdom acheived through their religiosity, but we again let our passions overrun our intellect, our ignorance overrun our ability to gain knowledge.
Thanks for the opportunity to spread truth, God bless you always.

Answer 2

Religious intolerance is either intolerance motivated by one's own religious beliefs or intolerance against another's religious beliefs or practices. It manifests both at a cultural level, but may also be a formal part of the dogma of particular religious groups.

The mere statement on the part of a religion that its own beliefs and practices are correct and any contrary beliefs incorrect does not in itself constitute intolerance. There are many cases throughout history of established religions tolerating other practices. Religious intolerance, rather, is when a group (a society, a religious group) specifically refuses to tolerate practises, persons, beliefs or whatever on religious grounds.

Religious intolerance and persecution have been common throughout history, and members of any given faith and even some secular ideologies have been both perpetrators and victims of it at one time or another.

Religious intolerance may be purely religious, but can be a "cover story" for an underlying political or cultural motive.

Answer 3

most of us are willing to argue about our religion but if a gunman came around and threatened to kill you if you really believe most of us would not take the bullet. religion is crutch for lots of us we are not devout, we drink extra sex curse lie steal ,backstab and any and everything else under the sun. majority practice a religion because we did it since we were kids. we have the mechanics of our religious practices down ,but still don't know why things are done. our religion is mystical and slightly superstitious .you can't make the so called religious people to admit they might be wrong ,or ,are in the wrong religion,or may be wasting their time. this is majority peoples after life you are tampering with when you dis religions,or say there is an err somewhere. the saying we can't all be wrong.

Answer 4

If people weren't so insistent on needing to be "right", and if people could freely exchange thoughts without anyone getting thier panties in a bunch,wanting to defend their position instead of just allowing the ideas to give them something to think about, and help them make up thier own minds, then it wouldn't be. You're right about that, it is great cause for dismay, and that which should be helping to heal the world's problems, increases them instead. (but that isn't the religion, more about people who aren't truly following the principles they are so fond of fighting over...)

Answer 5

There are few things more deeply true to a person than their religious beliefs. So discussing religion goes past the academic levels and taps into an emotional part of us. When that happens an undisciplined person may lose control of their temper in their righteous indignation.

Answer 6

Pretty sure the human need to be right over rides the ability for some civil discussion. Probably a reason so wars are religious of origin. Pride is another one of the devil's tools.

Answer 7

Because religion, at its core, operates on a single, absurd principle:

"Do as I say, not as I do."

It is consistant with game-theory... in a very crude manner... The ideal situation can be reached by having everyone else playing "altruist" while one's self plays "selfish".

As such... the average religious person will recite commandments for people to be nice to each other and decent... and for the law to be upheld..... mostly because they want other people to be like that to them. Then of course they go and operate on what their instinct tells them, which generally falls under the descriptors of deceit, thievery, bigotry... etc etc etc. They will do anything to advance their own goals at the expense of everyone else (who as you recall they have effectively ordered to play nice and fair).


It only succeeds among lesser and greater idiots.
Anyone with a mote more wit about them realises what is being played out and opts to stay out.

Answer 8

I think people get violent because alot of times people feel like they're being attacked rather than having a discussion. If we could just have a peaceful discussion than maybe something of value would actually come from this website. The truth is; the darkness hates the light, it always has and it always will.

Answer 9

Science does the same thing. Fred Hoyle, in promoting his view of the Steady State universe referred to the other theory (the one from the Catholic Priest) as BIG BANG.

Scientists are very passonate about their views until they decide to change them.

Same with the religious.

Infant baptism vs. adult baptism.

The debate can go on for hours and each side takes their own views seriously.

The thing of it is, they usually don't shoot at each other with guns, like some people like to do in this world!

Answer 10

Yeah, people love to be right, and when they feel cornered, or wrong, they'll get violent as a rabid squirrel. As for narrow minded, I get something inside of me that doesn't settle when I think about all the people out there who will go to hell if they don't accept Christ as their savior. I know I can't do anything about it because I can't force anyone to believe anything. The best thing I can do is keep my own faith alive, and hope people come to the knowledge of the truth.