Should we never tell someone they are wrong in what they believe? So would it be wrong if for me to tell you that you are wrong? If yes, than you are telling me I'm wrong for saying you are wrong which defeats the initial statement and the entire concept.
2007-04-07 13:51:39 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
How can I help it if I'm right?
And for those who are telling the asker it's wrong to tell someone they are wrong - are you telling her she is wrong?
2007-04-07 13:58:43 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sort of lost me toward the end of your statement. I may believe someone is wrong, but I do not have to say, "You are wrong"...usually that will put people on the defense to some degree and that in turn shuts down the learning process.
There are lots of ways to disagree with someone without saying the words, "You are wrong" and you can do this without compromising your own beliefs or values.
IMO, it is always best to explain your position or understanding and listen to why the other person believes the way they do. It may be that we will all learn more using this approach.
2007-04-07 15:14:40 · answer #2 · answered by clwkcmo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you can do is tell someone what you believe and why. Then use the socratic method in asking them about what they believe and why. You'll find that ninty percent of the people out there may have a fuzzy idea of what they believe, but don't know the "why". Many believe based on emotional feelings of what they would want to be true, rather than what IS true. Lead them with questions to help them figure it out on their own. Remember, the unexamined life is not worth living. For most, it's a scary subject and the consequences of beeing accountable to the almighty are more than they can handle. Be gentle as you would have them be with you. It's not a debate, it's meant to be a discussion.
2007-04-07 13:58:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religious beliefs are very subjective. What is right for one is wrong for another. There are certain "moral absolutes", but even these "absolutes" have their exceptions and must be taken as guidelines in certain situations (not all!). I believe that it is presumptious to assume that, because a belief may shock and appall you, that it is universally wrong. If it stands the test of social stability on a long scale and does not upset the survival of mankind, why worry if it shocks you a bit? But since the complex interweaving of social interaction, limits, shifts and cycles confound even the experts, it is really hard for the man in the street to make informed decisions based on this. Therefore, he or she must make decisions based on individual belief. Thus, it is both right and wrong to assume someone is wrong. It is usually wrong to tell them that, unless you have a really good logical argument and you're speaking to a very open minded person.
2007-04-07 14:08:07 · answer #4 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should never tell someone that their religion/faith (or lack of) is wrong, it is for each individual to decide what they believe.
And no, telling you that you are wrong for saying so isn't defeating the initial statement, because I am commenting about your presumed ability to judge what is right and wrong for others to believe and not judging your faith.
2007-04-07 17:36:37 · answer #5 · answered by Stephen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disagreeing with someone and telling them they are wrong are two different things. Being "wrong" implies that there is a definite "right" and a definite "wrong." For instance, if you told me there were only 10 apostles in the Bible instead of 12, I could legitimately tell you you are wrong and show you. You'd be wrong because we are dealing with provable facts.
Now, if you told me that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had children with her, I could only disagree with you because there is no provable evidence either way. We would not be dealing with facts here -- only our own personal opinions -- conjecture.
2007-04-07 14:00:34 · answer #6 · answered by Emily Dew 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rather than telling people "I think your beliefs are wrong," I tell people what I believe, and why I believe it. It's up to them to either accept my statements as truth or decide that I'm the one that's wrong.
2007-04-07 14:18:43 · answer #7 · answered by Rynok 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
opinions are the only thing we own, If you look through the other persons eyes at there view that would be impathy. No matter how eschewed an opinion is. There is an ego attached. You should be aware that there is more than one opinion. You can differ with an opinion, but does that make it wrong?
2007-04-07 14:03:47 · answer #8 · answered by j.wisdom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in order to tell someone they are wrong that person must be willing to be taught .. their heart has to already be into it .. otherwise ur just starting an argument, condecending, and ridiculing them ... so .. first u need to make peace and friends and live ur life as an example .. when the time comes to point out an error then they will be receptive to it ... just telling someone they are wrong never does any good ...
2007-04-07 13:57:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am saying that you are wrong for saying that what I believe in is wrong. That does not mean that I am saying what you believe is wrong. There is a difference.
2007-04-07 14:11:01 · answer #10 · answered by Amy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Debate everything, and tolerate individual variances in our society.
That's why I love Yahoo! Answers. We can debate any belief, even mudsling, but it's an anonymous forum and by the end of the day nobody feels hurt, and some may even feel enlightened.
2007-04-07 13:57:06 · answer #11 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋