Why are the three major religions (Christianity, Muslim, Judaism) the most condescending belief structures?

Question

If you think about it, everyone is being condescended to.Jews, though they rarely would say it to your face since of the three they have learned that religion is more personal then anything, would say that Christians and Muslims are wrong.As are anyone who doesn't know their God as they know him.Muslims would say that Christians are wrong even though they may be closer to right then the Jews who are just totally wrong.But in case, Muslims must be right because all others are wrong.Christians would say that Jews are deceiving themselves and Muslims worship Satan.Even if they don't say that, they would still say that Jews and Muslims are wrong.
Even the most seemingly innocent of phrases is condescending.For instance, "Atheists are lost" or "You need to find the love of God" or "we are just trying to save you".
No matter what the belief or phrase, the simple truth is that a person automatically becomes self infused with a superiority complex that others are wrong and in turn condescend

Why can't people just be happy with their beliefs?Why must everything be about the whole "I am right and so you must be wrong"?Why must they by definition of faith condescend others?

Mark S

Even when you denied that Jews condescend, you condescended by suggesting that people can get to the divine if only they follow certain laws and are good.There is no getting around this universal truth.Religion by definition condescends.

Even if I were to drop Judaism from the list of "major" religions, the truth of the nature regarding my question is not false.It seems I may have been wrong in suggesting Judaism is on the top three list of major religions.
Source:
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html

A Jew speaks out against Christianity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9kGrwRfHg0

I'm sure I could find more, but you denying that it doesn't happen doesn't make it untrue.All religion, to a point, condescends others.There is no exceptions here.There is no, "but I never would" here.The truth is that for every main belief there is someone condescending others.

Answer 1

It's really quite simple. They sincerely believe they are right. If they are right, then you are wrong. For instance, you firmly believe that 1+1=2. All other answers are wrong. Just because you firmly believe that, does that automatically make you condescending to someone who believes the answer it 3? No. You have the word condescending wrong. Christians are not trying to come across as superior when using phrases like "we are just trying to save you", just as you are not coming across as trying to be superior when you try to correct someone who has the simple math problem wrong.

But we live in an age where people are offended by everything. It's really quite tragic.

Answer 2

It comes down to the understanding that not everyone can be right (though some hold this to be a falsity).

IF Judaism (as now practiced, not the ancient temple sacrificial Judaism) is true, then Muslims CAN NOT be right. The same goes for Muslims. IF Allah is the one true god, then that means Christians CAN NOT be right and so on.

It is a matter of mutual exclusivity. When you buy a pair of jeans for $49.99 and the clerk asks you for $69.99 are they just lost? misguided? foolish? or are they WRONG? Common sense says that they are wrong.

This then answers why they are "condescending".

As to the additional question, many people are happy with their beliefs. It’s everyone else’s beliefs that are the problem. 8) It MUST be that not everyone can right on this topic. It’s not a matter of “do you like red or blue?” where there is no wrong answer. Do we expect to see God the Father, with Jesus, Buddha, Vishnu, Zeus, Dagon, Baal, Krishna, Satan, and every other “god” hanging out for all to see? If you do believe that, then I guess everyone can be “right”. However most don’t hold to that wide a belief system.

That being said, I think your real question is, “Why don’t we just get along and let everyone believe what they want?” If I’m off, just email me. To answer that question, a look into what a faith system teaches is necessary and as you would guess, the “big three” have heaven and hell and a “god” that gets pissed if you don’t worship him. Therefore, you must tell others they are “wrong” so they don’t end up in hell. Also we must account for religious fanaticism which stifles the exchange of ideas in a manner of love and peace for confrontational and harsh condescending mannerisms.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

NOT at all. Judaism has two core beliefs: Be decent to each other and G-d is singular, unique, whole, complete, unitary. So NO splitting into parts or any other version of tripartite 'monotheism'. Judaism also understands that people are basically good. It's only natural that we make mistakes. G-d is not cruel or barbaric enough to torture us eternally because we didn't get something right. So NO hellfire, infinite torture, or original sin. Therefore NO need for 'salvation' from them. Therefore NO need for a 'saviour.' No vicarious atonement either. Blood sacrifice is not a requirement. When there is no Temple standing, prayers fulfill the commandments regarding animal sacrifice. What one does is more important than what one beliefs. Be a decent person. Learn from your mistakes and strive to do better next time. Judaism is our particular path to the divine. Those to whom it speaks strongly enough are welcome to join us on it, provided they are able to make a sincere and knowledgeable commitment to it. We don't think that there's any need for everyone to be Jewish though. (It's not like one single way could possibly work for everyone.) Other people naturally have their own ways, including no religion at all. We don't need to understand them, just as they don't need to understand our ways. But things will go better for all of us if we treat each other with respect and dignity. This is just a start towards listing the differences. I'll star so someone else will come along with a longer (but still not comprehensive) list.

Answer 4

Your wording is obtuse, to say the least. However as Jews we don't say that any religion is "wrong". Everyone has a path to the Divine provided that they're good people (defined as at least following the seven Noahide laws). So your question as regards Judaism is irrelevant.

Answer 5

I don not find the words, *God loves you * condescending...... and those are the words I love to say to others.... I am Christian, and in my faith, I know I will be held accountable for your soul.. If you cross my path, like you are now, and I do not say those words, I am the one who will stand before God and have to answer for my digression....... that simple...... I do not say that people are lost, I say they have *turned from*, and that IF, I have done my job, their lives are NO longer counted against me....... there is NOTHING more for me do, so I move on, I love them, I am here for them, and I pray for them, in PRIVATE, I do not hound them to convert, it is NOT my job to do so......... and if Christians would pay closer attention to the Bible they would realize this also...... but, we do all have our own appointments of God...... having said all that, I do say, Go in peace.............. God bless

Answer 6

God's Word is the Bible. It says what it says and anything that is in opposition is a lie. This is not from my authority, but from Gods'.

I can not save anyone, but I can share with them all of the wonderful and amazing things that God has done in my life and my heart. All the glory is His. I don't look down or pity anyone, but I do grieve for the lost. My heart is heavy.

Answer 7

Because all three believe in one God though that confuses me... if Christians are monotheistic, then who are The Holy Spirit, Jesus, etc.? I am not trying to be rude or anything.

Answer 8

As to your additional question, each religion as based on their "holy books" teaches that they are the only right way; therefore every time they read their scriptures the belief that they are right is reinforced.

Answer 9

After reading this you could also say atheists are self infused. Don't they think everyone else is wrong, and they are right? Or is this more a question of personal views.

Answer 10

- True Christianity is not at all condesending.
- We do however insist that that as followers of Christ that the teachings of the Bible is the true inspired Word of God.
- The true essence of a follower of Christ in how we relate to others is to understand:

ROMANS 3: 23

23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

JOHN 8:7

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone ...