Why are many people intolerant to other faiths and beliefs?

Question

God is one - This is what all faiths teach,right?
Then why is there so much intolerance among the HUMAN race?
Even the so-called educated , intelligent and "thinking" person has intolerance.

Answer 1

Basing a belief on faith requires a degree of certainty that makes it irreconcilable with opposing viewpoints.

Answer 2

I think the main reason people are intolerent to others faith and beliefs is because they think that thier faith and beliefs are the only true way. So many people through history have been killed because of thier beliefs and they were killed by others that felt thiers was the only true belief so they killed others in the name of thier god. Each person has to find a belief system that feels right to them personally. I chose Wicca many years ago because it works for me, but another person will choose, to be catholic, protestant, buddist, gnostic etc. etc. because it feels right to them personally. I just wish that people would see that there are many paths to the same destination and all gods are one god, and then maybe this world would be a much better place.

Answer 3

I guess when it comes to believing in the naturally intangible because the subject is just on feelings and most of the time emotional experiences, one tends to support that with human defense mechanism of saving oneself from being given an unfavorable label or judgement.
The educated, intelligent and thinking person are vulnerable to criticisms because of the extra knowledge given to them by the academe which always present a scientifical, physical, reasonable, tangible and logical answers to almost all subjects.
While faith is normally based on other's experience such as your parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, church community, school friends and other sources in the spiritual level and often do not present what was trained in the mind of the schooled who learned from scientific facts.
Different interpretations to a faith based learning is subject to scrutinies of different religions who claim to have the same diety may have caused the intolerance because of that.

Answer 4

The reason? None reasons out what they were told or taught. I believe, the creator of the Universe is one - let it be in any form or substance. I may be right or wrong. This is my mental make up. It gives enough room to respect and understand other faiths and assimilate the good in it. My late father was a Christian Priest, with a very liberal and broad outlook on faith and was therefore severely despised in our faith. He taught us - his children - to respect all other religions and advised us to learn good teachings irrespective of the sources and learn the basic philosophy of religions. I have a good collection of all Holy Books. So while I adhere to my religion as my mother I give respect to all religions around the world and I believe that each religion imparts a treasure-chest of knowledge, wisdom and intelligence which, why should I deny myself instead of profiting from it?

Let us admit that there is so much intolerance among we human beings in the name of race, region and religion. I will sum up the reasons to (1) poor parenting (2) indoctrination and brain-washing at early formative years that get embedded in one’s psyche (3) poor self-reasoning mechanism (4) pride (5) self-righteousness and (6) a very narrow self-centered outlook in life. The remedy? (1) Enlightened parenting and (2) Moral study classes based on all religious and scholarly teachings and (3) character and attitude formation based on 'UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD'. lileeann33

Answer 5

Actually God is not one according to many people. There are many belief systems that have more than one God and or Goddess.
The reason why so many people are intolerant of others' belief systems is because they are not all that secure in their own. They need to bully everyone else, and make them believe as they do, right or wrong, in order to feel superior and justified in their own beliefs. Intolerance is based in fear of the unknown, and the thought that maybe some one else's beliefs may be better than your own.

Answer 6

Many are, but even more, I believe, are not intolerant. As a Christian I must believe what Jesus said, whether I understand it or not. And that probably applies to people of other faiths in regard to their Holy Scriptures. I want to know the way of approaching God, who is my Father and wants to be my personal friend, and Jesus said it could be only through Him. Think what it means to have God on your side. Perhaps other faiths don't teach this ability to come close to God; indeed they may regard Him as too mighty for us to approach Him. That, I see, is their loss, but I have to admire the intensity of their faith.(Not the violent extremists.)

Answer 7

You are correct. All faiths teach that. But still some people say there are millions of Gods.Others say 3 Gods are there which is equal to 1 one God. Mathematically how can 1 become equal to 3. Others say God is sitting on Mount Everest with his wife. These things occur even though all religion claims to have only One God. So where is the problem. The problem lies with few men who tries to use religion for his own selfish motives. Please refer to my previous answers to know who & what is God. Visit www.irf.net on comparitive studies of world religions.

Answer 8

Not all faiths teach the "God is one" philosophy. The Abrahamic Religions are the primary religions who believe this, there are very few outside of the big three that teach it.
I am a Pagan, and am very tolerant of others beliefs, it is only when their beliefs infringe on my right to worship who and how I want that I get a little upset.

Peace

Answer 9

Some degree of intolerance is necessary in order to stay alive. Same thing with religions - too much tollerance would dissolve them. Now, why most of them are SO intolerant - well, perhaps it is simply the easiest way out.

Answer 10

Intolerance is basically at least in my opinion, a lack of understanding as well as a pride issue. People think there way is the only way and will not listen to others or respect others for their beliefs and opinions. This is a problem in religious issues as well as political issues. Until people learn to value one another then we will never co-exist peacefully.

Answer 11

Good question! One thing we are not all on the same maturity level spiritually and another is there so much self-pride...
Just remember,when we get to Heaven we are going to be all together one big happy family. There isn't going to be a room for each groups of people with different believes-faiths.
NO... One Faith in One God. It's all about HIM.<><<><<>< THINK ON THIS!
That's why scripture says many will hear the words... "Depart from me you worker of iniquity, I never knew you."