Seriously, how about a reality check?

Question

Why is there so much religious fighting? I can understand being open about your faith, but do people really need to insult other people's religions? All that I seem to hear is:
"My religion is better than yours"
"No, my religion is better than yours"
"You are (religion name)? Why don't you come to your senses!?"
"People who are (religion name) are unintelligent"
or things like that. I understand that people disagree about religions, but why not let people feel free to believe any religion they choose? What can people hope to accomplish by putting down other religions? Am I alone in thinking this is just plain childish???

Answer 1

If you really wanted to have a reality check, there would be no religions.

Answer 2

"Putting down" other religions can be childish. It depends on how you define "putting down".

Logically, you must admit that some religions are objectively better than others. Otherwise, you would be saying that all religions are exactly, precisely the same in terms of their truth. But they can't all be equally true, since they contradict each other.

That being said, telling someone that his religion is not as good as someone else's, if you're only doing it to insult him or make yourself feel superior, is certainly childish. Gratuitously insulting someone is a sin, and you can't justify a sin on the grounds that you are trying to save his soul. Besides which, you're not likely to be successful using that method.

But tactfully helping someone to understand where his religion is wrong, so that he can correct his belief and adopt a more correct one, is not only a good thing to do, it might even be a moral obligation.

Answer 3

No, you aren't alone.

But unfortunately, it is human nature to question the unknown. It is also human nature to fear the unknown.

While some people are strong enough and intelligent enough to bypass these urges, others can't help but fall victim to it and throw up their defense mechanisms.

I will say that there are also so people who have been so abused and had so much negativity thrown at them from other people of other groups, they can't help but generalize and start throwing it back at all of that group as well. Again, a defense mechanism.

It would be a perfect world if everyone could just get along, and go on about believing their beliefs or non-beliefs..

But that really is never going to happen, so just be positive yourself, surround yourself with positive people, and just keep moving forward.

Answer 4

Amen, brother. It would be great if people could come to R&S to share their thoughts instead of using mockery. I am interested in the different beliefs (or non-beliefs) that exist, but sometimes I feel like I'm reading the rants of a 9 year old. It is, however, everyone's right to express themselves as long as it is within the guidelines of Y/A.

Answer 5

Because people feel the need to enforce their religious beliefs on others. Christians will tell you you're damned for not believing them. Atheists will tell you you're stupid for not believing them. Pagans will get distracted by shiny objects and not condem you for not believing them. The list goes on.
But no, you aren't alone. A lot of people think the vicious arguements aren't needed. Though civil conversation would be nice.

Answer 6

You are not alone. I think everyone is entitled to believe what they want. It never helps when people put you or others down for what they believe.

Answer 7

All religions are not the same. The Apostles Doctrine as laid out in Scripture is the only way to the Father. Anything else is just counterfit.

Answer 8

My religion is no religion - - - the best of all by far .

Answer 9

My theory... "Agree to disagree" and "Question, but never insult"


I think that I'm being fair enough to myself, and from there fair with others.


Peace.

Answer 10

it's only the new religions, christianity and islam, that have the need to do this, because at first they had to convert people to survive and grow.