Religious Tolerance on Yahoo Answers?

Question

It seems as though everyone on Yahoo Answers (particularly those in the R&S section) goes into an uproar if anybody mentions their own personal views. Athiests hate Christians, Christians hate Athiests, and Jews and Muslims are constantly being beaten down by everyone.

I am an Athiest, but one of the most important things to me is religious tolerance. I realize that not everybody agrees with me, but I would never try to convert somebody out of their beliefs, or even argue with their beliefs. Quite frankly, the only thing that offends me more than others trying to impose their beliefs on me is when I see other Athiests trying to impose their beliefs on those who follow a religion. It defiles all that I have worked for to become a tolerant person while still being an Athiest.

My question twofold: Is there any way to promote religious tolerance? And is there any way to get people to answer legitimate questions objectively, instead of bringing their personal views into play?

Answer 1

I think the way to promote religioius tolerance is to do exactly what you are doing. Be tolerant. I believe that we can only control ourselves - not others.

I suppose when asking a question you can preface it by saying "please answer objectively" - but truly - my answers ARE my personal views. What else could they be? However, when answering - I OWN my statements and say things such as "I believe...." or "by my way of thinking....." - because my ways of thinking/my views certainly are not the only ones - and they might not be the "right" ones as far as other folks are concerned.

Namaste!!

Answer 2

Good luck.

It would require people to actually acknowledge that while their religion is right for them, it does not mean it has to be right for everyone (atheists included).

Honestly, a majority of every group feels the same we you do, but the minority is the more vocal segment.

The minority segments in each feel persecuted, usually its just the perception of persecution and theyre actually being treated like everyone else; they still use it as justification to be horrible though. Just look at a few of the atheist answerers who immediatly said its revenge, or that people of their belief dont do it but have it done to them--both claims are ridiculous at this point.

Everyone would need to get over themselves and be mature enough to ignore the crazies on each side. Then progress could be made with the moderates.

Continue to make peace, continue to be friendly to all sides and encourage all to do the right thing. Its all that we can do without making things worse by causing even more fighting.

Unfortuantely I dont see it happening. Religions split because of differences smaller than the ones we want to put aside. Religious wars have been fought over less. It just goes against people's nature. He who yells the loudest is perceived as right, and where religion is concerned the ones yelling the loudest usually have nothing to say except hate.
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It is important to realize Im not saying no to religion. I am including atheism in religion for this discussion since the characteristics of the people involved are the same even if their belief is that none of it is true.

Answer 3

Oh hon, that's sweet, but it's not human nature. Everyone is opposed to everyone else, not just religion, there's racial issues, black against white, Iraqi's against Americans. It seems the only time when there is not this type of fighting is during conversion or adoption when one will accept the other and bring them into their life.

It's horrible, but it has been going on since man first walked the earth, it's the same with animals, they always fight with each other, but occasionally you'll see a cat nursing puppies. Or Angelina adopting an African baby, but at school they will still be belittled. I don't think it's going to change when this type of fighting has gone on from the beginning.

Everything has an equal and opposite reaction, if you love religion, there will be one who equally hates it. You can make room for one who wants to change sides and they'll be accepted, but that person will always hate the side they converted from.. It's the law of physics. They will repel like two positive magnets.

Answer 4

Religions by their very nature are not tolerant of other belief systems. Each of the major religions believes themselves to be the protector of God's holy and unchanging truth. For them to show tolerance would be in effect to doubt their own teachings. This is most apparent between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All three claim to worship the same (one true) god. One can't be tolerant of the other, because in each faith God only has one will. 'Religious Tolerance' is an oxymoron.

Polytheistic religions (worshiping many gods) generally are very tolerant. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans were very tolerant. They had no interest in converting anyone, because they respected the gods of other peoples. When Alexander The Great conquered Egypt, the Greeks just accepted that the Egyptian gods were the same as the Greek gods. The same gods were just known by other names. Hinduism and Wicca are good examples of tolerant polytheistic religions, today. (But, there are fanatical sects within any large group.)

'Personal views' can not be separated from personal religion. Each fanatical group claims that God speaks directly to their souls. (This is the Holy Spirit to Christians.) So, to the extremist his view is the voice of God. 'Personal views' can be perfectly OK, if they're not presented as undisputable truth.

I can personally say that I believe in the existence of god (or gods). It gives me some comfort in this life. Of course, I have no proof to support my belief.

I can also say that ALL religion is created by man. Human history is enough proof of that.

Answer 5

I too attempt to live my life and let others live theirs, but if the way they live theirs threatens the way I live mine, then isn't it my responsibility to try to prevent that from happening?

In a less extreme case, do you think it's intolerant to express your views on a subject if you do so unmaliciously? Believe it or not, some of those whose religion you so graciously tolerate would sooner put a bullet in your brain than extend you the same courtesy.

It's impossible to get someone to answer a question without bringing who they are into it. If that were possible then all of the answers would be the same.

Answer 6

I am a born again christian, and I do not hate you, nor anyone else on here.
Infact just the opposite!
Because I share the word of God, is because I CARE about what happens to you! If I or other christians on here did not care, we would not even share the truth- we would just sit back and have this arrogant attitude of "well at least we are saved"
That is not how we should act! We should want ALL people to be saved! That is why we share the gospel. That is why we do not tolerate people who blasphemy Christ and His word.
I do not tolerate relegions that go against God- and I never will.
But this does not mean I hate those people- it just makes me care for them even more, and want to pray that they Lord will turn their eyes over to Him.

Answer 7

The best way to promote tolerance is to understand that there are people of all beliefs here. You understand that, but not all people do.

I try to answer questions as objectively as possible HOWEVER if the question asks for my personal views I will give it. I will try to do it in a way that is not confrontational. Also, if someone is virulently insulting about the faith I was raised in, I will step in and correct their misconceptions if I can....

Answer 8

I'm Christian and I don't hate or feel sorry for Atheist, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist or any other people from any other faith. I'm neutral to all. Live and let live.

I have never tried to convert anyone. Your life. live it as you see fit.

Your questions:
There is always a way to promote religious tolerance, only if the person willing to apply themselves. It takes both sides all sides not one sided deal.

No, you can't separate the personal view, from anything that is so deep as their feeling and their faith, and religion is mainly based on faith and feeling.

Answer 9

There is no point, and no call, and no sense in tolerating intolerance.

As an atheist you are condemned to eternal suffering by many religions. Some would stone you to death for your beliefs, others punish you in various ways. They would not elect you, employ you, buy from you, or cross the street to pee down your throat if you stomach was on fire.

In addition, many religions would create legislation to make your life as miserable as possible. Your position is ultimately little better than a Jew in 1939 Germany.

You tolerate such an attack at your peril.

CD

Answer 10

The words we use are very important.

Words like compassion, humble appreciation of differences, the feeling of unity through our beautiful human traits, these are all so important.

Were all human, this is our planet. Even if I dont agree with peoples ideas, that shouldnt stand in the way of them living happily and equal conditions.

Respect and appreciation are good words too...we must use them in TONS to combat bad habits.

Bad habits are like the plague. We develop them but never seem to get rid of them.

Awareness of differences all around us. Appreciation of these differences. Remembering that God put us here for a reason, not to fight and kill each other, but to learn to live with each other. Thats the hardest thing to do, thats the thing we all must be fighting for.