Why, in your opinion, are people just not content with "live and let live"?

Question

I'm an atheist, but I firmly believe in the notion that if praying to a higher power makes someone happy, I have to right to try to convince them to stop. However, there are a lot of atheists who outright bash theists for beliving in a higher power. Same for theists bashing atheists for not believing in a god or gods, even though it makes us happy. Even between two different religions, or two different sects of the same religion, people are killed in attempts to prove a point. What exactly do you think it is about religion that makes it so hard for people to accept the opinions of others, as opposed to other areas of life like politics, films, or food, where differing opinions are not met with nearly as much hostility?

EDIT: First part should read "I have NO right to try to convince them to stop".

Kelvenstone: People kill for political reasons anyway. Take away religion, and you have one less area of conflict is all. Same with taking away politics.

Answer 1

Religion is inherently exclusive and divisive. This leads to the type of holier than thou mentality that we see today. Atheists may laugh at theists, but most do not waste time trying to convince them to stop.

Answer 2

I believe that people are not content primarily because they don't understand, or they simply refuse to understand what may be the truth to someone else. People that believe do not have a difficult time comprehending what is beyond the five senses. Likewise, people that do not believe refuse to acknowledge anything that's beyond the five senses, requiring proof that falls within the realm of the five senses.

I think what makes things like politics, films, etc., easier to believe over religion is that those things are tangible in the realm of the five senses.

I personally believe in "live and let live." However, if someone feels the need to bash my faith, depending on the circumstances (for example, it could be a REALLY stupid question that's really not worth my effort of answering), I may return the favor.

Hate only creates more hate...Love conquers all.

Answer 3

Religion doesnt kill people. People kill people. Take away religion, they'll find political reasons to kill. Take even that away, and their reasons will be philisophical, racial or financial. People kill. End of story. Don't point the finger.

*edit*
You're right about that, but "one less area of conflict" equates to "One more brand NEW area of conflict" I assure you. Maybe we should just.....plain......stop.......fighting.