I'm wondering why so many people become so negative when people question their religious beliefs?

Question

I'm very Spiritual but not religous at all. It seems that all the major religions with the exception of eastern religions have become very violent and oppresive, and I'm wondering where the source of all this hatred comes from, and history alone does not explain why inteligent, educated people have all this anger and violence.

Answer 1

The problem stems from the fact that certain people want everybody to follow the same sets of religious beliefs as they do. As long as that continues and people don't respect each other's boundaries the problem will continue to remain. I as well like Eastern religions and am non religious as well.

Answer 2

I would think you wonder why so many people become so negative when Christians answer questions about their religious beliefs. I think the violent & oppresive attitudes come from the other direction. But I do know the source of this hatred & that Jesus warned us that intelligent educated people as well as others would have this prejudice against us. They hated Him, so why wouldn't they hate His followers? He told us not to be surprised about that. It takes Christ's love to love the unlovely or even just rude people; but He always gives this ability to those who sincerely want to serve Him. His love flows through us where human love fails.

Answer 3

I think that applies to only the religions that are 'losing' the arguments that their religion holds any water. Christians, Jews, & Muslims/Islam, especially. Buddhism is starting to have some upheaval lately, but for the most part the Eastern way of thought seems more stable - for sure. Hindu, Shinto, etc. I am very spiritual, also, but do not believe in a supreme being. I embrace Taoism - which has turned out to be about the most stable philosophy I have come across. It's thought to have been around for over 5,000 years (written down about 2,500 years ago), it has sustain some of the most severe governmental upheavals and unrest ever. It has survived being banned numerous times - I feel it has survived because it 'holds the most water'.

Answer 4

very spiritual...what does that mean exactly? you go by your "feelings", like long walks in the rain, and listen to Yanni cds?

the first thing you probably should do, in a nonviolent way, is to actually study comparitive religions and discover that the most violent and oppressive parts of religion are related to humans and their desire for power, wealth and etc. there is no perfect church or religion because they stop being perfect when you and i walk through the doors. history alone DOES explain why intelligent people have anger and violence. it is because it is our human nature...it usually has nothing to do with the actual teachings of christ, buddha or whoever.

so...let me ask..do you wear leather shoes? sounds like you are a violent person who has participated in ripping the skins off of a living creature. do you ride in cars? guess what? you are a violent person who is poisoning the earth. humans are violent and it's not always anger that drives us but the lust for power and control. (men are actually more guilty of this, imo...)

so get off your high horse (or unicorn) and live with the rest of us in the real world. (btw, eastern religions not violent? ever hear of buddhist monk-warriors of japan (yamabushi)?

Answer 5

When it is an honest question, few of us have problems with it. When it is deliberate mocking, filthy and abusive, it is a different issue.

Plus many of the more "abusive" answers are posted by non-believers who are wanting to give the religious people a bad reputation and make them look abusive.

Next time you see such a comment, try looking up the person's previous answers and questions. You may learn a little about what the poster really believed. You might also want to look at other questions asked to the "questioner" to see if they have a history of mocking and abusive questions that might cause "angry" answers to their current question.

Answer 6

As long as there is both good and evil living in the same world their will always be a need for war and to an extent violence. I guess why would have people question their beliefs in the first place. what makes you right and them wrong. people take whatever means alot to them very serious

Answer 7

I think the question can be answered by looking at the "pacifists". A very compelling argument can be made that humans born into this world ought to "naturally" question that world, its reasons, genesis, etc. It follows that they ought to be painfully upset and confused - for the complexity of our world assures that it cannot be deciphered by one mind. Hence it follows that most people ought to be "angry." And it follows that that anger cannot be assuaged by science, since science has not and never will answer the big one. It follows that little white lies, or "faith", or religion ought to be a legitimate means for a person to find comfort in this confusion. It follows that those who don't see this confusion, and somehow see scientific calm and peace in a truly chaotic (in a scientific sense) world... are delusional... Hence these scientific "pacifists" are the ones with the real "problem".

Answer 8

Do you know the best opinion is the one you keep to yourself ?

So if they were really Christians they would have nothing to say

They are just showing their true colours it just makes me laugh and laugh and how much knowledge and wisdom they really have

I am Spiritual as well however I enjoy replying and getting them going I am waiting for the day I get 20 thumbs down then I know I am making an effect.

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 9

Simply a defense mechanism, like protecting a child...

Remember, their beliefs are as high as their life and love, their belief alone has power over them...

To protect and fight for their own beliefs are as natural as every human would do for their own love or child... a human nature,a nd a nature of all living things

Answer 10

My Wife and I are Jehovah's Witnesses and we love questions. It's shows a desire to learn. Even when we are attacked we respond with love. Have a nice weekend.