My one and only issue with religious folks :)?

Question

Ok first off - I am not a religious person, I was born into a protestant family, was confirmed when i was a teen etc. I am not against religion in ANY WAY. I personally believe that religion is the strongest motivation on the planet (one of the few things that a large number of people are willing and happy to kill or die for). I have a great deal of respect for those who have faith in anything, its an amazing thing to me that people can believe so much in something with no real proof or explanation, they just trust in it. Now, onto my issue with those of ANY religion. Why is it that the vast majority of religious people are unwilling or unable to even try to understand or respect the beliefs of others? Now I understand that some people feel it is their duty to "save" those that are on the "wrong path", its amazing to me that while a person may be shy and quiet about everything else, they have no problem what so ever looking down and becoming angry that others dont believe in "their"god

It just stuns me every time I see a person who is polite, holds doors open for people, is more often than not curtues and kind can do a complete 180 and stand there and loudly denounce another persons religion or beliefs as wrong and stupid and that they are to be pitied because they have not "seen the light" Like I said earlier, this is not to start any kind of argument - Im looking for honest answers from someone who can take a step back and look at themselves, and tell me honestly how they can have little to no respect or understanding for a belief is not their own. Of course this is not ALL religious people, but it is a fair enough percentage that we all see it now and again. I really want to hear both sides, but if you're just going to call me a heathen or that I dont understand because I dont walk with god and that makes me stupid, please dont bother to answer this - it only justifies this question.

Answer 1

I'll try to put this in simple terms. If you see a kid throw a brick through a neighbors window, would you say something to him and/or his parents? Or, would you be just like "Oh well, boys will be boys, It's not my window and it's none of my business so I'm going to act like nothing happened" I hope most people would do the right and take steps to correct the kids wrong behavior and show him why it was wrong. That is about the way a Christian feels about someone that does not accept God, the forgiveness He offers, and fear they could loose eternal life in Heaven. What a Christian does is out of love, care, and concern. Some Christians may come across the wrong way and try to make their point in an improper manner. I don't think most Christians are trying to force their beliefs on another person. It's shouldn't be an ego trip thing or a "I'm better than you" kind of thing. Yes, some make mistakes in their approach but It's supposed to be out of care and being courteous that they say anything. If a Christian didn't care about the other person, why would they say anything to begin with?

Answer 2

Well, I don't really find a problem if someone is an atheist or does not share the same religious views as I do.

However you are right, more respect is needed when it comes to those issues. Some people can be overly proud and outspoken about their religion and feel that it is better than those of others. Fundies usually tend to do this sort of thing, and they are the most close-minded folks I've run across.

Although, this doesn't just apply to only people with a religion. Even atheists act the same way. Look around this category, unless a person's specifies that they are asking a certain religious group, atheists will swarm their question with insulting, offensive remarks.

You can believe on whatever you want but if you use your religious belief/non-belief to attack my own and disrespect me without provocation, then don't expect me to take that lying down.

Answer 3

“its an amazing thing to me that people can believe so much in something with no real proof or explanation,”

You do not perceive proof, and many religious folk accept the teachings they grow up with as having no proof, nor in any need of proof. In that, you are correct. You do the same thing every day. You believe in electrons, you have faith in gravity, and you probably think you live in a democracy. You have no real proof of any of this.

People who do not believe there is any proof of intelligent creation or the resurrection of Jesus or the validity of absolute morals simply have different standards of “proof” than do many others. Some of us not only believe there is actual proof, we are convinced that we have found it.

“Why is it that the vast majority of religious people are unwilling or unable to even try to understand or respect the beliefs of others?”

This, apparently, is your actual question. I understand your beliefs. You believe that you and everything around you is the result of random cosmic forces. You believe that DNA invented itself. You believe that the perfect balance of gravity with inertia, which allows orbits and permits the existence of a planet that is hospitable to life is also the result of random cosmic forces. You believe that eleven men willingly gave up their lives to support their testimony about another, all the while knowing that their testimony was a lie. You believe that there is no evil, as evil is the opposite of good. Good and evil as concepts require some sort of invariant standard, which could never be the result of random cosmic forces. Or, do you believe in good and evil? If humans are no more than chemistry, the result a cosmic dice throw, then where do you find value in human life? You do find that value, do you not? Killing a person is evil, while killing a bug is not, yet they are the same stuff. Or, are people valuable because they are intelligent? Does this mean that killing a Downs Syndrome person is the same as killing a bug?

I understand your denial because you have found no proof. But, look at the consequences of your view: You are no more than chemistry. So am I. Such is your perspective. Where do you find value in that?

I UNDERSTAND your beliefs. I cannot bring my mind to wrap around them, though. Unlike many religious folk you have known, my faith is not blind. It is grounded in strong historical facts. It is supported by clear logic and the inevitable conclusions of a great deal of careful science and math. Your disbelief is grounded in ignorance. You don’t know how much you don’t know. For you, ignorance is bliss. This is WHY I do not respect your beliefs. They are as much based on faith as are the beliefs of many religious folks. The religious folk have some proof. All you have is a conviction that the universe we live in is not nearly as lucky as most scientific folk are convinced of.

It (the cosmos) just IS.

I disagree.

Answer 4

I do not mind standing back and taking a long hard look at MYSELF..... no one knows ME like I do, so to those who *think* they do, welllllllllllllllllll......... anyway, I am NOT a pushy person at all...... I am a Christian by the way ...... but, I will answer this and or any question through Christian eyes and ways ........ that is who I am !!!!!!!!! a Child of God !!! anyway, I spread the Word, that is all I am supposed to do.... rather a person takes what I say seriously and really *thinks* about it is their choice......... NOT MINE !!! I tolerate paople, but at times I do have problems tolerating what they believe... Don't we all ??????? why you ask ??? because I am Christian.... that simple........SOME non-Christians are the same way.... they may tolerate Me but not my beliefs....... now, there is a BIG difference in tolerance and acceptance........ I may tolerate but I will NEVER, and I repeat NEVER accept anything or anyone other than Jesus......... I KNOW I will never and can NOT ever change a person, ONLY the Holy Spirit can do that...... and that shy and quiet person ? If passion plays a part in their belief they will boldly stand for and on it........ as I do....... I am very passionate about my Faith in Jesus........... I know some will see what I have written as *preaching*, WRONG, I am stating my case and thoughts........ You ask I answered........... go in peace...... God bless

Answer 5

True, there are some religious folks that are adamant about trying to convert others and are overbearing, even judgmental and intolerant. However, it goes both ways. I've seen some pretty intolerant atheists and non-religious folk (myself at times, unfortunately). The important thing to remember is that religious people and non-religious people do exist and will always exist, and there needs to be honest and respectful dialog about it. Perhaps because of all the different religions and secular systems, human beings can learn from one another and know that different viewpoints are OK.

Answer 6

Firstly, I am a fully-fledged Christian, and have been even for the 12 years before i joined my current [40 years now] church - the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints...

In answering your Q, I think it is usually insecurity re their belief.
That is, inwardly, most know that there are a lot of holes or questionable 'readings' of the scriptures in the teachings or doctrines of their religions.
This would frustrate many of them I believe ... because there are many [only] 'approximates' to the full truth, and having insufficient to really answer all the necessary Q's that are going to be thrown your way must prove frustrating for them.

Try the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.
You'll find an introduction at www.lds.org

The rest is then up to you to thoroughly and sincerely investigate and test it for yourself.
But you need to 'test it' before God, not just in some of your own reasoning.
But I testify that you will have feelings and personal life experiences that you will never have experienced before, if you do search sincerely and with real intent.
You will be introduced to a whole new, magic world you never knew existed.

Answer 7

I think there are a few reasons, one is that all of us want to believe that our religion is the true religion. Also because the word of God, instructs that we should try to bring people to the Lord. That's why I feel that it shouldn't be about religion, it should be about a personal relationship with God. There is only one God, and He loved everyone, so we should too. Does this help, hope so.

Answer 8

In the monotheistic religions, undertanding other's beliefs would start creating 'doubt' with their own beliefs. The beliefs are not THEIRs, that is why they are OTHER. OTHER is bad in their definitions.

One should remember that convertion is a major NO-NO under the Laws of God, See Deuteronomy 13. Since a convertor is preaching a OTHER god, defined as a god that a person personally has not known or a god that was unknown to a person's fore fathers. Basically, a convertor is saying that their god is NOT everywhere, becasue IF their god were everywhere why would they have to SHOW or tell another about IT.

They HAVE TO get angery when another doesn't believe or see their god, since it is a personal attack against their self righteousness. Contrary opinions conflict with the truthfulness or righteousness of their beliefs/idols. When another cannot see their god or doesn't use their ceremonies or rituals, essentially that person is telling them that their beliefs are not right or not worthy.

Secondly, the SELF RIGHTEOUS need OTHERs that they can demean. Since they have to have a comparibl group as what NOT to be like.

Answer 9

Its an interesting statement. Since every religion has similar elements it is kinda close minded to think that there is only one true religion. Each one has both good and bad points. I don't believe that every good person is doomed for eternity simply because they aren't which ever religion is currently in fashion. But then again, religious zealots are an interesting breed, sociologically speaking of course.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you. I am LDS (Mormon). I have no problem with people being of a different faith. That's fine with me. I won't intrude or try to convert or judge or tell anyone they're going to hell (I don't believe that anyway). I have a great deal of respect for others beliefs. I do not, however, have any respect for those who use their beliefs (or most likely lack thereof) as a shield for hatred and bigotry. I have no respect for anyone telling me, or others, I'm going to hell or that I'm deceived or that I'm part of cult. I don't know why those people think that will help "save" anyone anyway. I tune out once I start to hear disrespect.
I don't give one iota what other people do or don't believe in so long as they're happy. If, however, someone starts searching, I am happy to tell them of my beliefs but I would never shove it down someone's throat.