Why are people so defensive about religious beliefs? enough to be mean?

Question

First off I'm christian, but I'm not mean about it (my husband isn't even christian and is actually fairly anti religion) I will tell people about my faith if they care to listen, but I don't force it. I Love to learn about other peoples religious beliefs as well. I noticed most people who are defensive seem to be most Christians and atheists, usually seems like people of other faiths are pretty laid back and willing to discuss things openly.

I just don't see the point in yelling/being angry over that stuff....if you don't believe in God thats fine and makes me a little sad but what can you do?, if you do then great but how does it affect the lives of atheists (especially ones online who don't know you)

What it turns in to is people say that "all Christians are fundamentalist jerks" which he's learned isn't true obviously, or Christians thinking 'all atheists are jerks" which also isn't true.

Faith and religion is such a personal thing, why can't we let it be?

Answer 1

Well that would make you an enlightened person. I am an Atheist and it kills me to see the rational so hate filled and vehement about religion. When reason would suggest that everyone must find enlightenment in their own way.

Angry Atheists come in one of two forms. Angry that they were lied to their whole life (which eventually goes away) or egotistical and self centered on their own intelligence. Essentially looking down on believers. Most of us who do not fall into those categories you'll find in another section speaking about something that matters.

The defensiveness of the religious person stems from rational thought making sense and inwardly causing them to doubt. And doubting the very foundation of your being is not something easily accepted. A person like yourself doesn't have this problem because you view religion for what it should be. Your own personal beliefs. And then of course you have the truly apostolic theists that just want the world to convert, ignoring the fact that what you believe is generally based on where and who you were born to.

It is because it is so personal that many get up in arms. It is the debate over what happens when we die which has been on our minds since mankind began to think.

Answer 2

If you were Catholic, in charge, and had billions of dollars in tax free property and income, wouldn't you be defensive?

(That was a joke....don't go postal on me)

Why do different religions differ? Because they are different. (I know, stupid, but that's the bottom line).

Some fanatics think they get a higher place in Heaven with more virgins if they kill Christians. Some think Jesus was not the son of God but just a man. Some pray to Mary.

I good way to wrap this all up is an old joke: A person dies and appears in Heaven. As he is being shown around, he is introduced to all the religions around. Suddenly, they come to a brick wall. The guy yells, "Hey, what's behind this wall?"....He is told, "Shhhh, it's the ________ (insert religion)....they think they are the only ones up here!!!

Some people believe gays can't be religious. Others welcome them into their congregation and at least one church I know of has a gay couple as ministers.

(I'm not here to preach for or against, just stating fact).

I think the most important thing about religion is that it should provide you comfort. If your religion is to spend a few minutes each night talking to God about your problems and it helps you, then good....it should.

But, always allow others the freedom to express their beliefs as well, at least until it becomes violent.

Answer 3

It's because so many people can't separate their beliefs from themselves. They take any attack on what they think or believe as a personal attack on them.

You know, I think that it wouldn't be such an intense debate if we weren't in the cultural climate that we happen to be in. We've got a fundamentalist Evangelical president. Many Christians in the States are on the offensive. They think they're fighting a holy war to "win back America for Christ."

Meanwhile, the rest of us just want to be left alone by these people. But when they're actively seizing power and want to create laws to force Christianity on the rest of us, it's going to get ugly.

True, some atheists are militant as well. But their numbers are relatively small, and I think if it weren't for the fundamentalist Christian crusading, they'd be more laid back in general.

Answer 4

Watch more news about Middle eastern bombings, 9-11. I mean every religion has its history or war and violance. I personally don't get offended but it isn't just mostly one religoin or another it is all religions. The sad news is that we are fed the extremists pooint of views and have to search for the news about the strong in faith. Visit Focus on the Family - or Family Life. Focus on the good.

Answer 5

I think the problem is both psychological and spiritual.

Psychologically, these people have built their lives on shaky interpretations of the bible and subconsciously they know it. Then when clear-headed people come along and point out the weakness in their belief systems, they get terrified and lash out in anger. I always heard that anger is just a more socially acceptable form of fear.

Spiritually, they know deep down that the little fake god the fundamentalists push on you is fake, so they think the same thing about the real God -- that if they think too much about Him, they'll discover He doesn't really exist, and that would ruin their safe, cozy, untested belief system.

When you start poking at their little house of cards with The Truth, it terrifies them.

Answer 6

The reason it is so touchy is it is personal and people either christian, athiest or whatever feel very strongly about it. I someone attacks their belief it's as if they are being personally attacked.
The people on here who think it's all a big joke and don't get too excited don't feel strong about anything.
People say very hurtful mean things when they don't know how to defend themselves.

Some remain silent realizing it's a waste of time to defend or answer....As the saying goes "casting pearls before swine"

Answer 7

I have often wondered what you have, And I just believe that some people feel better yelling and screaming this is the way it is and your wrong. If people more like yourself live and let live I think the world might just a few less arguements. Which would be a good thing.

Answer 8

i think that that is why religion and politics were traditionally taboo subjects, things that just weren't discussed. if you discuss things, then you can't fight about them. as you say, they really ARE personal beliefs. i can agree with you that it can be (theoretically) great to learn about other people's beliefs, but, i hate the proselytizing that seems to accompany many, if not most christians. the seemingly 'offhand' remarks like "even SATAN knows that ... yada yada yada". which are like the "even a caveman could do it" commercials. when my back gets up, after statements like that, i tend to get more aggressive, so as not to appear to accept those statements. i take them as a form of bullying, and i've learned to never kowtow to a bully.

i wish you well, and hope that your curiousity is satisfied. take care.

Answer 9

I feel faith and religion is a personal thing too, and should be kept that way. Others disagree. That's where the defensive comes in.

Answer 10

It is because generally we are afraid that we might be wrong. If someone else has "proof" or faith that they are right and they try to tell us about it, we can't even stand to listen to it. After all, we put a lot of time and energy into what we believe. What if, after trying to convert all those people, we weren't right after all.