Is it not possible to discuss Religion in a courteous and civil tone?

Question

I have always enjoyed discussing religious topics even with those who disagree with me. I have had many very good friends who differed strongly with me. I am puzzled and perplexed that so many people in Yahoo Answers cannot seem to control their temper or behave in a mature, civil manner when expressing their opinions. Anyone skilled in persuasion will tell you that juvenile belligerence only makes one look like they have little substance to contribute and also makes those who differ with you less likely to agree. Why not express ourselves in a more persuasive tone if we want others to see our points? I see no reason we can't discuss things in a more mature way.

Answer 1

The Devil is ever busy, belligerence comes from the God of this system of things, and his time is very short. But keep discussing the Bible someone could here and it might change their life. Good luck with your admiral interest in the word.

Answer 2

Depends on the person.

By and large I'd say no.

A majority of religious ALL have SACRED COWS. AND, lines in the sand.

Cross it, you got problems.

Even I do and I'm pretty liberal.

My line in the sand is the mating (sexual activity) with 9 year old children or younger.

In fact, It starts around 12 for me.

13, maybe I can tolerate that, but even that bugs me.

Hence, I got a big problem with certain religions who had NO problem with this stuff. And a few Christian religions qualify as well as some others.

Do YOU have no ISSUES in an area like that.

How about the Sky Daddy issue, see, that don't bother me.

Bible as a fiction book, that don't bother me eithers.

Doing a 9 year old girl -- in reality -- bothers me.

Any religion based on such a reality bothers me.

Totally

Completely

As does any religion that sacrifies cats or vigin humans

See, that's another line I draw

I can't sit down and have a conversion with someone who thinks it's cool to kill cats

Cockaroaches I have no problems with

Wasps, I've killed a few myself, but only if they got into my house

So, you see, I'm not as extremist as a Buddhist

I don't kill for pleasure or for food or for a God

I do eat meat killed by others if it's fresh

Am I a hippocrite, maybe

But I do have a line in the sand

A moralistic line I won't cross

My moralist line centers around the young. Children and even animals.

Answer 3

It has been shown in studies, that reason, logic and emotion use different areas of the brain while being used.
When religion is discussed, the logic and reason centres of the brain show less activity, whereas the emotional centres show much more. Which is, I think, part of the reason for the problem you bring up.

Religion goes to the very foundation of a person's identity, and often defines who they are and how they see themselves. Belief in anything which has been indoctrinated since birth, which happens in many religions of the world, becomes incapable of seeing anything other than its own point of view.

So much of them is invested that other opinions and ideas are reacted to almost viscerally, as if they were protecting their young.
Those with the least knowledge of other religions are usually the most ignorant, making sweeping generalizations and being downright bigoted sometimes.

The worst ones are those who make it sound as if they are speaking for the majority. Yech.

Answer 4

I agree wholeheartedly and seek only to state the truth in love and let the reader make their own decisions about what I stated. I'm passionate about my beliefs, and sometimes this come accross, but I'm not intending to be hateful or uncourteous. I have a deep passion for God and what I believe and I, too, think that some of the answers I've seen on here are quite hateful, and that hate coming from professing Christians. Jesus said that His people would be identified by their love for one another, not by their hating and bashing everyone who doesn't agree with them. It really makes you question if these people are true believers or not.

Answer 5

It certainly is. Only problem is that we have a lot of ill-bred kids from backward lands coming in here and showing their breeding, you see.

Pity is that they don't understand the kind of damage they cause the image of their Religion.

But then, what can we do?

I've stopped coming in here, nowadays.

Rarely pop in to have a look, really.

Because these kids use the thumbs down and Report Abuse buttons to get us deleted and have our Accounts terminated and it's not worth having all this hit you.

Anyway, que sera, sera!

Cheers!

ST

Answer 6

I agree with you on this. It's definitely possible to disagree with someone without getting angry and out of control. However, religion is something that has a lot of emotion attatched to it, so it's only natural that people get upset.

Answer 7

theres three stages to religion

BELIEVER

RELIGIOUS

FANATIC

No one wants to hear that their religion is not as good or not true. When you tell someone that their belifs are not accurate thats when the tension starts. I respect every religion [Im Catholic] i respect the opinions and beliefs of others i categorize my self as a BELIEVER but find it hard to talk to people who are Fanatics you know people who go and knock on your door on a Sat morning trying to convert you.

We all praise 1 good with different cultures myths and stories respect my god and ill respect yours.

Answer 8

what is going on is god wants to be heard and through religions mainly catholicism wants to prevent this... so there is the bible types arguing for ceasar and everyone else trying to work with nature

Answer 9

We all know people who yell and become rude when discussing an opposing opinion.

YA.....is just a way to do it anonymously.

Answer 10

Your question has set an example we should all try to achieve