What is it that people don't understand?

Question

I've seen a few posts this evening from people that are asking in seeming bemusement why others are "getting at them", and then proceding (or in some cases, preceding) with a statement about how everybody needs to see the light (their light in particular). Some even have a sense of "why are people rejecting/ignoring me when I'm trying to help them", even if they don't actually say it.

Even so, people keep reacting and so creating a situation where people are asking these questions, quite probably due to genuine hurt in some cases.

What is it that people seem unable to grasp and understand that perpetuates this whole situation, and why can people not understand it.

If it's a lack of respect or tolerance for people's beliefs on one side, is it not just the same on the other?

@ Evolver... indeed... but as you kind of imply, that means not forcing your own beliefs upon someone, or otherwise telling them that they must go your way and only yours... this is in no small part why I mentioned a lack of "deep and basic respect and tolerance" rather than just tolerance.

Answer 1

everybody thinks theyre right .. thats the problem ...

Answer 2

I think you may misunderstand what tolerance is. Tolerance means just and only that - tolerance. It means an acceptance of the fact that someone holds a different viewpoint. It does not mean actually accepting that different viewpoint.

A lot of people are under the misapprehension that tolerance means believing in some mushy form of ecumenicalism, a sort of syncretism where "everything is true." But that is not what tolerance is.

True tolerance in fact is a more generous act than mushy ecumenicalism. It is an acknowledgement that you can recognize someone's worth as a person, even while fundamentally disagreeing with them on something you both consider important. It isn't a sappy papering over of differences, but rather an agreement to disagree.

I believe, for instance, that Jesus is the Messiah. A Jew does not. Full stop. I believe I am actually more generously tolerant of a Jewish person in my approach, because I fully acknowledge their divergent view without trying to somehow mash it up with my own by some herculean act of tortured pan-theological legerdemain.

I accept a Jew as a Jew. I do not offer him or her my watered down Christianity as a compromise, nor do I ask for a watered down form of Judaism in response. I simply accept them as they are, without asking for more.

Answer 3

This is the world.
Here there is singing and dancing.
People are nothing more than actors on a stage.
Man is not interested in his true birthright.
Man is not interested in the big event.
So man keeps on singing and dancing, hoping that someone will notice him.
Man does not understand the beauty of a thing called birth and death.
Not all beings in Gods kingdom get a chance at the human experience.
They just don't understand the beauty that awaits them!
They just keep on singing and dancing..........

Answer 4

In most cases, people can't quite grasp the question, or the subject. Most people don't ,and will not understand the Bible,unless they get the understanding from God. People don't under stand Creation verses revolution; why because, they and thank pass what they have been told, If they would give it thought, to start with something, where do you get the something from. People in most cases can't fathom, they have no idea of what, where, why, or who.

Answer 5

In the case of "Atheism vs Christianity", I think both atheists and Christians alike feel that the "other side" doesn't respect them. Christians probably see "creeping Atheism" as an evil force that seeks to limit their right to worship, whereas non-theists are simply tired of having religion shoved down their throats. As an atheist (with a small "a"), I don't have a problem with other people believing as they choose - provided they respect my right to believe as I choose. "Live and let live."

Answer 6

People have a preconceived concept of reality.

This is fixed.

If you try to sway them from their preconceived understanding, they automatically reject it.
.
THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE MOVED FROM THEIR PRECONCEPTION, SO THEY REJECT WHAT DOES NOT FIT THEIR BIASED "MOLD".

dave

.^ . ^
@ @
>>v<<
.. V

Answer 7

For me its because I am a little drunk