Is that why people are so defensive about their beliefs?
2007-10-23 05:18:23 · 32 answers · asked by bregweidd 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
chippy - you're right, that would not include agnostics, but I see so few of those
2007-10-23 05:21:50 · update #1
Absolutely. We are dogmatized from childhood that admission of ignorance is admission of weakness. Good children know while bad children do not know. Thus, those of us who are still children desperately scream "It is true!" or "It is false!" and flee from "I am not certain."
The most childish of them go so far as to further claim that anyone who says "I am not certain." is automatically on "their side".
2007-10-23 05:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Some people get very defensive because they have a competitive spirit. They want others to conform to their way of thinking and if they don't then they get almost verbally abusive.
As a rule we (humans) want others to believe what we tell them, especially if we know we are right. We want to be accepted and the things we do to be accpeted by others so it is hard for some to tolerate ridicule for their beliefs.
Just remember what you believe is just that YOUR belief and everyone has a right to find truth for themselves. Asking questions here or from those we trust is a good start. Being verbally abusive though should not be tolerated and as a Christian is not a good witness. Even Jesus didn't force things down people's throats. They believed or not.
2007-10-23 05:24:18 · answer #2 · answered by Indya M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an agnostic I find that others find it impossible to take it when I say "I don't believe but I cannot be sure, and neither can you"
Atheist rage because you should apperently accept the fact of there being no God despite this being no easier to prove than the idea that there is a God.
Logic tells me they are probably right, but is there anything wrong with me keeping an open mind? I will listen to Christians, to Muslims and to anyone else trying to convince me of their belief (well as long as they are not aggressive I will listen) but they get very angry when I ask why do they believe "I just know" or "because I have faith" are the most common answers, and neither answers my question of why do you believe? If you cannot define why you believe something, it is foolish to believe it. Most just believe what they were told to believe as children and never accpet questions on it. It is healthy to ask these questions but it is unhealthy to refuse to accept that there is no answer.
2007-10-23 05:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by munchkin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no problem admitting that I'm still undecided about God. I know how I believe people should act but am not sure about multiple lives, heaven, creation, etc. I am still learning and will continue to learn.
I think some people are so defensive about religion because they aren't sure about it either and don't know any other way. A lot of people out there are sheep and just don't question anything. IMO, the ones who are the most defensive are usually the biggest hypocrites.
2007-10-23 05:23:30 · answer #4 · answered by goddessusie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have trouble knowing. I'm defensive about my beliefs because I don't think anyone should be bullied about it. It's unfair and it's childish. If someone claims something stupid about Christianity, then I will answer that and prove those claims wrong. Like the "God module" in the brain, claiming that we evolved with an area of the brain that makes us believe in God. It was idiotic, and these people failed to view the new study proving that there ISN'T a "God module" in the brain. Things like this deserve an answer from a believer. I can't say every Christian knows without a doubt, but personally, I do and I will defend my beliefs.
2007-10-23 05:24:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I just skip those questions.
If I know and contribute, guess what? The questioner picks the answer that he/she is most comfortable with, or the most witty. Try it out. Do well-rounded, well-thought out answers for some questions and see how many people pick them. Then do really sharp wit, (even if its against your beliefs) and see how many thumbs up you get, and how many chosen answers.
This is not a religious site. This is a spite site.
(Some people are nice) (Some people actually have a gift for diplomacy)
(But most act like teenagers)
2007-10-23 05:24:11 · answer #6 · answered by Somewhat Enlightened, the Parrot of Truth 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am not defensive about my beliefs. I understand that different people find happiness and understanding in other things according to their causes and conditions, and it would be arrogant of me to be defensive... for there's nothing to be defensive about... Buddhism is as empty of inherent existence as everything else is.
_()_
2007-10-23 05:26:05 · answer #7 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they are defensive because they are supporting claims made by practically stone age men about how things were created. Give them credit for coming up with some fantastic tales.
2007-10-23 05:21:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some people do.
I had a boss years ago who told me it is OK to admit that I didn't know. I was very young and I considered it good advice.
2007-10-23 05:41:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because if they have to take a good long look, they might find they actually believe in nothing. The more you learn, the more you learn that there is so much you don't know.
2007-10-23 05:23:51 · answer #10 · answered by SpikE 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋