why is it that religious people as well as atheists?

Question

assume so much about each other before getting to know someones personal beliefs not every person with an oppossing view is an idiot I'm guilty of this but usually i'm right ha ha ha but seriosly why

tawaen assumptions are not an educated guess that is what you call a theory

Answer 1

I don't think either side is actually interested in a different point of view. We're more concerned with bashing an opposing belief. On some level it makes us more secure in our beliefs if we can destroy another persons. Not very logical reasoning, but both atheists and believers engage in this activity. We do.

Answer 2

First, "religious" people describes everyone, not just those who believe in God. Look up the definition. An atheist is religious about something. Religion is what you believe, not just one particular system of belief. To be religious means to be faithful or devoted to something. I know a lot of people who are very religious when it comes to playing golf.
Education is the means of understanding others and their beliefs. Many people do not bother educating themselves about others - they just want to argue. To argue without knowing the other position is rather pointless. No one wins.
Personally, I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, son of God and Savior of the world. I have more than religion, I have a personal relationship with my Lord. I don't expect everyone to understand that - it is a matter of faith.

Answer 3

Sometimes people can make educated guesses based off experience. If somebody identifies as "Christian" or "Muslim" or "Atheist", I can make some certain assumptions about that person based off the definition of those terms.

But I see a lot of common misconceptions from both of those groups you mentioned. Theists (or let's be more specific and honest here: Christians) often assume that atheists simply haven't experienced theism or know anything about the Bible. And atheists often as for "proof" of somebody else's subjective experiences, which is kind of like demanding that somebody prove their favorite ice cream flavor. And many from BOTH groups have been duped into thinking that theism and accepting sciences like evolution are mutually exclusive.

Answer 4

I was raised in a Christian family. I participated in Bible Quizzes at the church as a kid, and I never lost. I actually know more about some people's belief system than they do themselves. It doesn't make it right to assume much about them, but I can at least assume where they are starting from. That and experience shows that they aren't very imaginitive. How many times does a question about evolution being a theory come up in a day? 10? 20? More?

Answer 5

rather then some of the answers given here, which just ooze arrogance. I think the reason why we assume sometimes someone is an idiot for not sharing our viewpoints in anything is based on a sort of ethnocentrism - i don't know the exactly the correct term for it - to quickly sum it up ethnocentrism means “one’s own group is the center of everything,” therefore all others are judged and no matter WHAT, they are somehow someway negative.

It dosent matter how passive or apathetic one is to the matters of faith or anything, we are constantly looking at other groups in this way. if you don't believe sit down and think about it and think hard.

rather then saying "we grew up, and its like a 30 year old arguing with a 6 year old". there are Athiests who find faith, and people from numerous sections of the spectrum of faith who cross over, Christian to Muslim, Muslim to Christian vice versa. it is not that they 'grew up', it is the events in their lives and their thoughts bring em' to these conclusions.

Answer 6

Perhaps it's because many of us were the opposite belief before.

It might be that personal are very nice and all but if there is no proof or evidence of anything to believe in why become well-versed in a fairy tale.

Answer 7

Most of us have put time and effort into what we believe. It's human nature to want to think that we "have it all solved."

Of course we don't, atheist, Christian, worshiper of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, none of us.

So when somebody comes along and presents something that seems like it might cause us to need to adjust our nice, safe, secure belief systems we freak.

The truer the opposing idea is, the more violently we react to shut the other person up, to keep him from telling us something we don;'t want to hear. If we truly knew in our heart that our beliefs were true we'd be unshakable and you wouldn't see nearly as much vitriol and acrimony on R&S as you do.

Answer 8

Religious beliefs are rarely personalized, in christianity, to personalize it would be akin to a mortal sin. Therefore since christians (in this example) have a set code of conduct and belief they have to follow in order to fit in with the herd, it's a safe assumption on the atheist's part to guess at how they may be.

Answer 9

You are partially right, most do not understand the others views and that skews their answers.
However, as a once christian now atheist, I (like many) understand both sides. And yes, like you, I am always right (from my point of view).
If more people studied other faiths and non-faiths (It took me years of studying the bible and religions to back-up the way I felt about religions, that they are nonsense) they would have better questions and answers.

Answer 10

I have not met anyone who is wrong about everything or right about everything. Everyone is an idiot about something. This is not about people of faith or those that have beliefs that are not faith (faith in the Lord) based. It is about people who are not able/willing to listen and hear another view on things. It is about peoples pride and their need to prove themselves in the idea they know it all.
That's just my opinion.