Why do religious people force their beliefs on others?

Question

Especially when it comes to politics.

For example, a majority of Republicans are anti-abortion and against gay marriage because of religious reasons. The question is……What if people who are pro-abortion or gay and wish to get married, don’t believe in the same religion as you do? Since everyone doesn’t share the same religion, do you think it’s fair that an individual’s religious beliefs have an influences on these issues in politics? Who are you to say woman can’t have an abortion or it’s morally wrong two gays to get married. It’s not your life. I am really starting to think that religion should never be apart of politics unless EVERYONE shares the same religion.

Note: Keep the Liberal and Conservative bashing to yourself!!! Let’s have an intellectual debate without name calling. Remember, everyone has a right to their own opinion. Thanks!!

Okay, if that's the case, why can't gays get married?

Answer 1

I agree with you. There's nothing wrong with being religious and staying firm to your beliefs. There's nothing wrong with talking to people who agree with you and hold the same values. But there IS something wrong with trying to govern the rest of the country based on your system of values. While I'm sure it works for you, and you believe it could work for everyone else, it is not your decision to make. The beauty of America is that you can believe in whatever you want - you can believe in God, Allah, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and no one can take that away from you. But when you try to push your beliefs into the interweavings of the government, in a position that it affects everyone of all beliefs, there is a problem.

Answer 2

I read every other response before giving mine. Nobody has mentioned that our constitution was crafted on Biblical principles. If you want to blame anyone, blame our founding fathers. The point is that the Constitution cannot be rewritten and it is our calling as Americans to try to faithfully carry on the great principles upon which the foundation of this country was built.
Enough of the patriotic speech. I am a Christian and a conservative. My beleifs stem from the original religion which can be traced back to the first man. Although there are many other religions claiming to be true religions and millions of naysayers accross this world trying to prove mine wrong, I am still at peace. Scienitists, athiests, agnostics, and people like you have wasted lifetimes searching for the truth when it was right in front of you all along.
You do not have a problem with beliefs being forced on you. You have unresolved issues in your life that you know are sinful and are lashing out because of it. These issues are not going away unless you deal with them. A good start would be to get a Bible and see what God has to say about those matters.
You have essentually "borrowed" your ussues from other nonoriginal thinkers. The abortion rights argument came from the Feminist crowd. The homosexual rights issue comes from the lib crowd.
There are so many saying "I should be able to do what I want with my body." I could quote you 20 verse right now, but a little common sense will do fine. I will argue that abortion is murder because you know where I stand on that. However, anyone who gets an abortion because of a promiscuous lifestyle is irresponsible and immature. That is not being judgemental, that is a fact. If you arenot mature enough to manage your sex life responsibly, then you should not be having sex.
Homosexuality is a choice just as love is. One does not "fall in love" any more than one is "born" a homosexual. Like any relationship in your life, your decisions determine your feelings. Sure your decisions are based on emotions, but you will never say an angry word to a person until you decide to. Love is the same way. Homosexuality is the same thing. They are living a lifestyle that goes against the moral grain of thousands of years of experience. Even nonchristians who are against homosexuality beleive that it is a perversion of natural law. And that is what God thinks as well!

Answer 3

First, don't listen to kujigafy, who sounds like an idiot. Individuals don't have the power to refuse to recognize marriages. Only the state has that right. Second, there is no legitimate reason why they try to force their religion on others, though they will use every excuse in the book. My favorite is the defense that atheists and others are forcing their beliefs on Christians, which is absurd. Third, it is equally absurd to try to rename holidays because they have religious connotations. In fact, most of these holidays, especially Christmas, are far more about consumerism than any religious beliefs. Most businesses which make a profit for the year only do so because of that time of year. Fourth, many Christians are under the impression that this country was founded on Christian principles. This lack of knowledge shows clearly why we are often the laughing stock of the educated world. Question: who would know more about the founding of this country, people today or those who were actually around to see it formed? If you think it's the people who actually helped to form it, then read this:

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion..." - Opening statement of Article XI of The Treaty of Tripoli, approved by President John Adams and ratified unanimously by the Senate in 1797.

Let's see, the second President of United States and the entire Senate agreed to this, so where is the debate?

Last, many people can't stand the idea that someone may actually have a different way of thinking about things than they do. Sad, but true. People here don't want free-thinkers; they want more sheep to add to the flock.

Answer 4

The problem is that Religion is so much a part of politics. I feel that no one has the right to force their religion on anyone else. That is wrong. People have the right to do what they want to do, as long as the law allows it. As for abortion, I am personally against. With that said, who am I to tell you what to do with your body. If you want to have an abortion, then get one, it's your choice.

As for Gay/Lesbian marriages, I will have to leave that one alone. I have many friends that are Gay and I really don't have a problem with it. But the whole marriage thing has gotten to be a real mess in the past few years.

Answer 5

SOME religious people.

On the subject of abortion, the question is "when does life begin." The point at which the fetus is a human, abortion is murder, therefore should not be allowed. Before that point, abortion should be an indivdual choice. Not that makes the issue clear - that's just where the discussion should start.

150 years ago, many people thought blacks were sub-human. Therefore slavery should be allowed.
Some people thought blacks were fully human, therefore slavery should not be allowed.
What would you think of someone who said "I'm against slavery because I don't think you should own other humans, BUT I'll let my neighbor decide for himself!"

But that doesn't address those on the far right who firmly believe life begins at conception, therefore should be banned from conception on. Not science supports such an idea. It is strictly philosophical/religious, therefore it shouldn't be shoved down other's throught.

The gay marriage issue is a better arguement.

Many religious think if something is sinful, it should be illegal. But in a free country, people should choose for themselves whether to sin or to not sin.

Answer 6

While I don't accept the premise of your question as completely accurate...........most religious people I know do not try and force their beliefs on others.

But at the deepest root of your question, is an undeniable fact: Throughout history, religion has been the single greatest source of human-caused wars, suffering, and misery. In the name of God, more suffering has been inflicted than by any other manmade cause. Indeed, in places like the Middle East, Northern Ireland, India, Pakistan, etc., religion continues to be a major cause of persistent antagonisms between entire populations.

Our little pi$$y Democrat-Republican debates over social matters here in the US are just the very very tip of the iceberg........so lets keep them in perspective shall we?

Whether you agree with it or not--abortions are legal, and their legality really isn't going away. Its just debated.

Wether you agree with it or not--gay people can do a heck of a lot to duplicate marriage like social constructs. There are certain states / municipalities / employers that help them do so.

Really, at the end of the debate, these debates have much more theoretical and emotional context than they have practical ....

Answer 7

It's not really a question about religious beliefs. It's a question of morality. By the way I am a Christian and I do NOT force my beliefs on others. If someone believes that abortion is murder, do they not have the right to be against it? To me, people who go out and protest at "pro-choice" rallies are actually protesting pro-murder. I can't support that. As for gay marriage, there are many other reasons other than religion as to why I'm against it. Just look at the law suits now occurring with mom vs. mom over custody of the kids. How confusing for a little mind.

Answer 8

What people believe, including religion, is always going to influence their stance on an issue. Anyone, not just Christians. You can't stop that. But the gay marriage issue should be separate from what any majority believes. It should be about civil rights.

Answer 9

As a conservative I don't agree with the government legislating morality...but come on... the Religious right is no different than the loony left.
Both sides try and push their beliefs off onto others and push for laws based on what they believe in and neither side will compromise.
So why does the religious right and the loony left do what they do? Even though their beliefs vary both sides are one in the same. They want more power and control over your life.

Answer 10

I think you understand the problem of separation of church and state perfectly - and why it needs to be maintained.

Church and state cannot mix, and still have a stable society.

Christians often misunderstand this as an attack on them, but it simply isn't true. I can't tell you how many times I've gone around and around with one of them trying to explain how - if they were the minority religion under a (whatever) controlled country, they would be discriminated against. The separation actually protects religion.

*But based on the number of TD's - this position isn't very popular. I guess if you feel like the majority religion it's ok to discriminate against others huh folks?