Why does it matter to you what I believe?

Question

All these questions of atheists believing this and theists believing that, I don't understand why it matters one way or the other what I believe if you are going to closed-minded to any argument or discussion I might want to have. It works both ways, those who believe in God just can't grasp why some don't and vice versa. If you are not going to be open-minded about someone's various points of belief or disbelief, then why the hell do you even care what somoene else may believe? Does it affect your life one or the other to know that some out there believe in the flying spaghetti monster while others believe in Christ and still other don't believe in anything?

I wasn't necessarily going the governmental route with this question, but sometimes these things take on a life of their own. I agree that when it comes to government and governmental officials telling us to believe this or that, then it is a good time to stand up and act.

However, I was simply refering to the staggering amount of questions on this message board as it were, that deal with those who believe and those who don't and how incredibly upset it seems people get when someone makes a point that is not to their particular liking. The atheists hate the Christians, the Christians hate the Jews, the Jews hate the Muslims and everything in between. It is interesting to watch the responses as they deal less with actual Judeo-Christian values and more with denegrating those who don't believe. There is no attempt to convert or teach, simply a show of contempt for those who believe differently.

Answer 1

Personal beliefs are a personal matter and shouldn't affect anyone else.... until people start imposing their personal beliefs on others through the political process and otherwise. Questions such as abortion, gay marriage, the teaching of evolution, and so on show that personal beliefs ultimately find their way into the political process. To quote one more, to me terrifying, example, there are people who believe that the end of the world is coming soon, and that it will be glorious. If such people achieve positions of power in our society, what kind of efforts will they make to preserve the environment, or even to promote peace? If your personal belief is that global catastrophe is a prerequisite for the second coming, you will have a different national policy than you would otherwise.

That's why we need to have an open dialog and debate about what people believe.

Answer 2

Yours was an eye opening question. I would like to tell you that the reason for Christians being concerned about what people believe is that we understand that God loves everyone enough to have sent His Son Jesus, to die for them. To take the place of their sins so that they can have eternal life if they want it.

God loves them so why shouldn't we? Oh and by the way, Christians don't hate Jews. It is because of the Jew that we have Jesus. We love Jewish people. As a matter of fact, we love everyone.

Our lives are affected by Jesus, we have chosen Him as our Lord and Savior. We know that He can change any life from sadness and loneliness to joy and fellowship. Is it so wrong for us to care? Peace.

Answer 3

I can understand why people believe/ don't believe in whatever. The real question for you is what do you believe in? Not that I have to know, but you should know.

And then after all that, what are you on the R&S section for? What are you doing here?

You have just as much right as I do, sure. But I know why I am here. Why are you here?

Answer 4

I, a believer in the Way, AM open-minded. But I have yet to hear someone's side of the discussion that would have me believe in some other religion. In my religion, it is encouraged to convert non-believers, but NOT forcefully or through judgement, but through faith, and through the circumstances sometimes that God puts them in.

Answer 5

i am so sick of everyone making such a big deal of other people's religions/beliefs/non beliefs. what you believe or what i believe doesn't....shouldn't....matter. What should matter is that ALL humans are humans and regardless of what our relgious beliefs are-we are all people. Just because a bunch of people decided to write their "gods" laws down to control the world obviously doesn't mean they are right....if they were all right we wouldnt keep fighting to prove "my god is better than your god"....what you believe should be of interest to me if i am interested in you as a person and what you value.....but it doesnt effect my life unless you push your beliefs on me

Answer 6

Sometimes if you can't understand something, it's interesting to know why others feel the way they do about a certain thing. I've asked questions here like why people think mean-spirited radio hosts like Limbaugh and Stern are entertaining, because I can't comprehend it.

Answer 7

When government starts "taking sides" and validating one belief system over another, and making laws based on one belief system that people of all belief systems are required to follow...then, yeah, I get a bit miffed.

Answer 8

It doesnt matter - but when you go attempting to legislate what you beleive into laws that I must obey, you better beleive Im not going down without a fight. And, a loud one at that.

Answer 9

It matters when one group imposes their beliefs on another, such as with evolution in school science programs, or governement funding for religious schools, or even abortion, and it definitly matters when religious groups help get someone elected or not elected.

Answer 10

Religious belief affects education, lawmaking, foreign policy, scientific progress and people's rights. It does matter.