Is fear the factor that makes people more likely to defend their beliefs rather than simply exchange ideas?

Question

Less fear, less defensivness? Less fear, less anger?

Answer 1

By defending something, there is always fear at the heart of the reasoning for a defence to be mounted at all.

The fear...? The fear of attack..!

There is never a fear of whether we are wrong or right because in our consciousness there is another condition which conditions our thinking...the next condition...? The condition that we are always right..Only the fear of attack makes us defend...

Why defend something if there is no fear of attack. Our consciousness holds fear as a condition for defence, there are many such conditions within.

Anger arises in the consciousness because of "self". When "self" arises and allowed free reign of our consciousness, there is always selfishness..always...if this "self" is hurt in any way...there is yet another condition in the consciousness which prepares our response...the new condition...? React to preconceived stimulus....!!

All our consciousness really is, is a minefield of preconceived conditions which are a learned response. Many consider that these are a "self help guide", keeping us safe from pain and hurt from others..allowing us to feel justified when we intentionally hurt another because we were right to do so...there is always a precursor to this...we tend to approach all experiences of relating to others from a position of fear...we ready ourselves for the moment that the other person encroaches on our turf...ready to defend it from foreign invaders..Some postings above have exhibited this exact notion..."When I defend my beliefs, it is in the name of what is Good"...

All illusion....The notion of "what is good" is therefore preconceived...when the criteria which has been preconceived as "what is good" has been breached then there is an automated defence mounted....if the person who breached the "what is good" criteria there is hurt in the consciousness, the "self" arises and a defence is mounted...and selfishness is exhibited because my "what is good" has been breached and therefore I am justified in my defence of it...

Notice all the "I"'s and "me"'s which arise in the defence mechanism...? This indicates selfishness...

There is a better way..tolerance, compassion, Love..when our preconceived consciousness conceives these conditions, then there can never be selfishness, because our defence mechanism has been replaced by an open door policy, allowing all to enter freely without fear..

/but you must leave your weapons at the door please...my gun bearer and war elephant team are on standby/

Peace from a Buddhist...

Answer 2

I think fear is a HUGE part of it.
People are so afraid of not existing after death that the have a huge emotional security thing built into being correct about their own personal belief abut an after life. When an atheist comes along and tells a Christian that she believes he will not exist after he dies, he is going to get very upset because he doesn't want that belief challenged in any way

It isn't the whole picture of course, because people can get very defensive and angry about issues that have nothing to do with spiritual beliefs. If I tell you that I think you are raising your tomatoes all wrong, you might get annoyed. If I tell you that you are raising your child all wrong, you would get real mad because the issue is obviously a lot more important. If I come along and tell you that you yourself will cease to exist after you die, that is bringing up some major fear, because if I am right....you don't even want to THINK about that possibility.

just a thought or two...good question!

Bright Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 3

I think what is missing is that we are percievers, and actually begin to structure our lives around what we believe. Reality is really subject to us.

I look at anothers reality as they state it as simply theirs to indulge in. I'm an indulger, and I'm conscious of it. So, it doesn't trigger me when someone says I'm going to hell. As far as they are concerned, that's true.

Now, I'm educated on the origins of hell and to me it has been proven a story that I can chose to believe or not. It just so happened that I chose not to.

So, the mirror that I am shines right back to them. It goes no where. The conflict doesn't exist. Here's the thing that makes me curious. Just how design oriented is our Universe. Do people actually experience heaven and hell, worm food status, Nirvana, reincarnation, etc, etc as thou wilt?

I chose which afterlife experience I would have. Sure enough, things in my life show up to support it.

I think the anger stems from not understanding that there is no delusion, only allusion.

Answer 4

Fear can push people away from their beliefs. Look at what the idea of an "eternally burning hell" has done to peoples thoughts on Christianity. They find Christianity a horrendous belief system!

www.helltruth.com

GOD bless

Answer 5

I think so! If there is no fear then it is easy to listen to others and let them share their ideas and beliefs. The truth is most people either do not know what they believe or are not confident in their beliefs.

Answer 6

It is the knowledge of the truth that makes some people more likely to defend their beliefs. Or the perceived knowledge of the truth.

When I defend my beliefs, it is in the name of what is Good.

If I were fearful, I would hold my tongue.

Answer 7

Absolutely! Fear leads to frustration and frustration to anger.

Answer 8

This country is being run by fear.

If there were less fear....there might be less anger...more tolerance....

Our government can't have that now, can they????

They need to keep us afraid to keep us under control. :)

Answer 9

You know, I sometimes wonder the same thing. I love a good debate. An educated discussion. I can't stand people that get defensive and go on and on about going to hell and the one true faith. I can't respect people like that. I wonder if they are afraid.

Answer 10

I really see it more as pride. Many are unwilling to listen to others viewpoints unless then coincide with their own.