I've just seen someone call my religion the domain of teen girls, and that it's completely bogus. I've seen people of ALL faiths-Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and even Wiccan use their beliefs to belittle others and put down those who don't believe as they do.
Why is it so hard to see that this isn't right? Even IF you believe your religion is the true one, why is it so difficult to give other religions the same respect that you want yours to get? For some of you, at least, isn't a key tenet "Judge not lest ye be judged" or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or even "Evermind the rule of three"?
What's wrong with this picture? Why are people using religions that are supposed to spread love and understanding to foster divisions and hate??
2007-09-20 15:42:21 · 15 answers · asked by witchiebunny 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First poster...
I'm confused, are you trying to say I'm anti-religious? Because I'm most certainly not-I'm wiccan, and I'm marrying a Lutheran. We both have a lot of respect for each other's religions, because of what it means to the other. I have no problem against ANY religion-only those who use them to spread a message of hate.
2007-09-20 15:50:23 · update #1
Simple as can be, dear. People interpret religions wrong... They may simply use it as a power trip, and all together, human beings are just so far from perfect, and that's a good example. But many religions, -Christianity, Judaism, Muslim and Wicca, all preach GOOD morals. Most people don't act on them because they have too much anger towards another religion. Not because of what that religion says but because what the people say.
Another things is, is that people have a religion instead of a relationship with God...
People are people. We just have to ignore ignorance when it comes our way and always stand on our beliefs to treat others the way we'd want to be treated.
2007-09-20 15:51:21 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy2Be 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you could answer your own questions if you tried.
"why do people use Religion as an excuse....?" well why do people make excuses period? they don't want to be held accountable, they want to be understood.... etc.
"why is it hard to see this isn't right?" emotions cloud judgement. that's a simple fact.
and in addition, I know I sound contrary to what I was saying, but I think you may be blowing things out of proportion. if you believe you are correct, the natural human response is to defend your point of fiew. some people's best defense is their offense. and you aren't much good to anyone if you keep your beliefs to yourself. a), life gets boring b), you don't want others to find the truth and c), if you don't share, it indicates timidness and weakness.
you're taking the judge thing out of proportion. God is judge. that's the premise. it's not "be afraid to offend" or "don't speak the truth".
is a blunted truth really any good in a moral battle?
2007-09-20 22:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because religion is a convenient excuse.
Some religions have at their core an "Us vs. Them" dynamic. WE are going to Heaven, and everyone else is going to Hell. This lends itself easily to promoting hatred and divisiveness.
There's also the amount of deference with which religious beliefs are treated. If you try to defend your bigotry on rational grounds, the fundamental irrationality of your arguments will be pointed out eventually. But fundamental irrationality is a FEATURE in religion, not a bug, so you can just remain blissfully ignorant of reality.
2007-09-20 22:53:57 · answer #3 · answered by au_catboy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because many of them either believe Hollywood Hype about various religions or are not open to the possiblity that ANY other religion, much less Wicca or other Pagan religions, are valid.
People believe that the worship of the Greek Gods is a "dead" religion even though there are worshippers of the Hellenic pantheon struggling for official recognition in Greece, so uninformed attitudes are not surprising to me....
I still worship Zeus!
2007-09-20 22:52:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is a particularly dangerous belief out there that has absolutely no qualms about desecrating all other beliefs. Some of its followers have no problem killing the infidels. I will counter this with the truth about it, regardless of who might be offended by what I say. Too many people have been misled.
God Bless.
2007-09-20 23:02:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm right and the rest of you are wrong! But please remember that what I believe is right FOR ME! Hate is such a strong word and it doesn't change the fact that people are going to believe what they choose. Is Christianity going to make me change my belief... No. So why waste the energy trying to make me change religions. Why spend the time you do here on this board arguing and spend it collecting food and stuff for people who really want your help.
2007-09-20 23:20:03 · answer #6 · answered by humanrayc 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One reason: self-reassurance. By condemning other religions they nothing about, they put their own minds at ease, forget about their doubts for a moment. It is the battlefield on which beliefs are not simply utilized, but tempered in the process.
2007-09-20 22:48:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
some people love to hate. Look at how many Churches are in the Christian religion? its not because of "love" :)
2007-09-20 22:47:47 · answer #8 · answered by FarmerCec 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
In case you haven't noticed, most people don't need that excuse.
It is insecurity that causes people to put others down, and they will use any reason or excuse that they can find.
2007-09-20 22:49:53 · answer #9 · answered by Randy G 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, religions do not spread love. they are created to allow a bargain. We fear death, that is all.
Now, what is you are wrong and is the other god with their rules for salvation that is right? See?
2007-09-20 22:49:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋