Why do religious people always think they are utterly right?

Question

Today I had to call at a house as part of my work as a building surveyor. The householder was polite and affable, but when I left he insisted on handing me a religious tract, and got quite peeved when I refused it. This has happened a few times before, at Christian and Muslim households, and it seems to be the case with many such religious people that even if you say you are an atheist, then that is merely a signal for them to redouble their efforts to convert you to their view. It's almost as if by replying that I don't believe in God, or Jesus, or Mohammed, or Allah, or whichever mythical deity/prophet they follow, that I'm somehow criticizing them. Or do organized religions not allow contrary opinions to their own doctrines?

Answer 1

Some religions require that their followers actively convert others. Some people who believe their religion is truth and that there are negative consequences for not believing in that religion will actively convert people who don't believe in their religion out of compassion. They don't want anyone to go to hell, as an example. In any case, there are a few religions that think other religious paths are perfectly acceptable to follow. Taoism and Hinduism are good examples. Most monotheistic religions are dualistic. You either agree that their religion is the truth, or you're deluded, a heretic, an infidel, and/or you're going to burn in hell. The sad part about it is that there is no respect for any belief outside of their own because they know the "truth" and everything else is a lie.

My religion does not convert people; many don't consider it a religion, even practitioners. It's live and let live. You believe your way, I'll believe my way, and we're both good. When someone tries to convert others to Buddhism, I don't particularly like it because it propagates the wrong idea about my religion.

In some cases, there's nothing you can do but remain civil and reiterate no, thank you, until you can get away from the proseltyzer. How they feel about it is their own responsibility. Personally, when approached while conducting business, I tell them that I have a policy of discussing neither religion nor politics in order to foster a good, professional relationship. If they press, I would explain that maintaining a professional ethical standard is important to me and discussing issues like politics and religion violates good, professional conduct because it has the potential of making people feel uncomfortable. When religious material was pressed on me, I would bring back the professional ethics issue. If I ran across them outside of the work setting, I would still put them off with professional ethics for as long as client relationship was there. Once that relationship was gone, then I'd be free to be as blunt as necessary.

It doesn't always work, but more often than not, it was respected because it was 1) the truth, 2) reasonable, and 3) it allowed me to respect them as clients without dealing with religion, which has little place a professional relationship. I made sure to always couple politics with religion because I didn't want to talk politics either and I didn't want to give the impression that I was singling them or their beliefs out as unacceptable in some way.

Answer 2

A lot of religions do not allow contrary opinions to their own doctrine even some that call their selves Christian. Upon telling them you are a Atheist they are programed to respond with trying to convert you at all cost, it would be quite the brownie button for them if they can.

Read the terms of this Christian Chat room:

http://www.holyspiritchat.com/terms&conditions.htm

They kicked me out after about an hour, I was talking with a person about my heritage as a Native American and mentioned Ghost dancing and the mod flipped out instanting and said I was talking about Indian witchcraft and banned me instantly without discussing it with me or anything, I've e-mailed the site a couple times about this blantant act of discrimination and un-christian behavior but they have never answered back.
I am still banned to this day. I consider them as blaphemers.

Answer 3

Do you think that organized religions have the power to do that? Look around and you will see who does have the power to influence the way you believe, whether from our government who is doing its best to tear down the faith that is called Christianity, or from the "logical" response that the intellectual elite makes to anything that cannot be handled by the senses, you will see if you look honestly that religion is a scape goat for most.

Answer 4

I am a christian and am sorry for the way you have been treated. I don't think that we don't allow contrary opinions, it is more that we are adimant about what we believe in and that sometimes, we lose sight of the best way to communicate our feelings. Hope this helps. God Bless

Answer 5

What distinctive the solutions are forgetting (Alaylen), is they're able to't fairly understand in simple terms how risky existence is over there for every physique who would not slot in (quite atheists). optimistic, interior the Bible Belt your loved ones and community could make your existence depressing, yet i've got not heard of every physique interior the U. S. being stoned to death, imprisoned, or accomplished for it. can no longer say the comparable for Dubai or the the remainder of the Mid East.

Answer 6

Because we ARE always right, and we want that new car we get when we convert a hundred people.

No, I'm kidding. I'm sorry that one of my Christian brothers was so pushy with you. Some of us have a tendency to be that way. Many of us just can't IMAGINE someone not believing, even if we ourselves haven't always believed.

We just care. That's all.

Next time one of us gets pushy, just thank us, and then drop the tract in the nearest trash receptacle.

Edit: To clarify, I don't condone the actions of people who are overly pushy with religion. However, I know for a FACT that they mean well. It's out of concern that they're pushy, not because they think they're better than you.
So, when I said to thank us, I meant just to thank us for our concern. I would do the same for other people whose beliefs are different from mine. As a matter of fact, I HAVE thanked them for their concern.

Answer 7

consider this if I truly believe I what I believe I would be at fault if I did not share it with others, however that is others that want to hear what I have to say, if it was my home you came by in business I would offer you an invitation but would not be offended and still would be polite and even smiling and wish you a good day.

Answer 8

They're religious. They can't afford to be critical. Religious people are taught from a young age that certain doctrines are not to be questioned or challenged.


The_Cricket, are you saying that next time a religious jerk is being pushy and mean we should *thank* them? Uh, no. Doing so would only send the message that this kind of behavior is appropriate.

Answer 9

i hope you're not saying that about all christians. because i would never pressure anyone to believe in what i do. obviously, since your an athiest, someone has already tried and you rejected it. the only thing more i can do is pray for you and live my own life as a christian.

Answer 10

some people, unfortunately, would force others to accept their beliefs, or exaggerating in showing this................. as a Muslim, i will tell from Islamic point of view that this behaviour is totally wrong. yeah, i might offer you something but it's not a must from you to take it, and i shouldn't force my beliefs on you to accept it , this is not from Islam, brother.
Allah(swt) says in Qura'an which means : I have my religion and you have yours. " also another verse which means : No compulsion in religion ".

peace be upon you brother.