Religion - In General?

Question

I have my own beliefs and I keep them to myself. However, I often wonder WHY so many folks feel the need to go to such extremes one way or the other.

Examples:

1. You are uber-religious and you believe strongly in something - WHY do you feel the need to go with gusto and attempt to force others to conform to your beliefs? If you're Christian and you think that ____ is a sin. Won't God judge that sinner in the end? Who are you to judge them in this life and why/how do you feel yourself qualified to deliver judgment?

2. If you are an Atheist - WHY do you feel it necessary to belittle the belief of others? You have your beliefs. You are secure in them. Why antagonize?

Let me add to my original question:

1. Yes, I do understand that there are people who will force upon you their beliefs. Let me also add that it is not acceptable. It is absolutely acceptable for two people to INTELLIGENTLY discuss opposing beliefs and remain civil. I know that people disagree - especially when it comes to religion. So what!? This isn't splitting the atom. You believe __. I believe __. We disagree. Hence, a discussion ensues.

2. Yes. I have heard of terrorists. However, I fail to see how terrorists factor into this bit. Sorry that your only working knowledge of religion is confined to that of terrorism. :( Sad for you.

3. I think and hold-fast to the theory that we can all discuss independent thought and have opposing beliefs - yet still remain amicable in the process.

Call me a dreamer - but ****, I hope it's true.

Answer 1

I don't belittle others beliefs. If they ask a question I will answer as truthfully as possible. I have noticed tonight that many Christians are belittling atheists. But I guess that doesn't count, does it?

Answer 2

In general I agree with what you said, but as an Anarchist Queer person, and a Pro-Choice Freethinker, who graduated at the top of my class in Divinity, I chime in when I feel that the people I care about are being villified. Real ignorance is one thing, arrogant willful hatred disguised as ignorance is quite another.
I'm more forgiving with the former than the latter but I always answer questions to the best of my ability , even if I occasionally slip in some sass for the arrogant, willfully hateful ones.
I started posting here because too many folks from your number one category started trolling in the Queer section.
I have nothing against reasonable people who reasonably disagree. But people who stereotype and condemn my communities obviously don't know my communities.
As a speaker on Gay, Transgender, and Intersex issues the hate, hypocrisy, and rigid gender roles of the uber-religious often leads to crimes against people in my communities.
In Texas, some wingnut father threw his own infant against the walls of the nursery until the baby died, because the child was born Intersexed with ambiguous genitalia and the father had a religious freak out. It is not antagonistic to speak the truth or speak out against injustice. Some may take it that way, but that's their problem, not mine.

Answer 3

The agro people (those that go to extremems) are a waste of space of course, but the ppl talking about their belief's and trying to influence others to peaceful and cooperative extremes isnt a bad thing in a religious forum.

Answer 4

Ever hear of terrorists? Ever hear of an atheist sucide bomber? Thought not. What other reason would I need for trying to diminish beliefs that often result in harm to both atheists and uninvolved believers?

Answer 5

And yet you find no hypocrisy in you telling others what they should and should not say? Who are you to do so?

Secondly to tell someone that God says in the Bible that _________ is sin is not the same as judging them. It's simply passing on information that may help them prepare for the judgement day.

So who are you to try and stop Christians help people prepare for the judgement day?

Answer 6

antagonizing is definitely not cool

but what if you were the victim of abuses that live by not talking about it or reporting the criminals?

truly the answer then is to report abuse and get the truth out into the light of discussion

Answer 7

2. I don't antagonize unless I'm here. In person, I'm antagonized enough by people in example 1.

Answer 8

In this place we are all expressing our inner beliefs.
The feeling of judgment or antagonizing is created in the person who feels - and therefore his responsibility

Answer 9

i miught be athiest but I dont insult others; if they want to believe in something that makes them feel go so be it

Answer 10

You make perfectly good sense to me .