Why is it so easy for people in todays world to pass off the beliefs of another culture as whimsical fantasy?

Question

but yet still choose to follow their own religion, which also has fantastical tendencies??
I mean, like Christianity, for example, having a huge following. Parting a sea? Being beamed up (to heaven) in a golden ray of light?? Does this not scream at people in todays world? I mean, I realise that people in the dark ages might have seen these things and thought there must be some all knowing being that can do magical stuff.. But then why persecute those others who seem to be able to do things too, and burn them as witches? Why laugh at, or minimise other people who believe in aliens?
Why go on mass killing sprees, (long ago), and kill anyone who doesnt believe, as heretics? How does someone say things like "murder is wrong, but if you believe something different than me, I will kill you"?
In todays world, why do people believe so strongly, and so easily, in a story, which in any other context, could be put in a childrens fairytale book?

heh, if it makes me feel any better, more people were killed? No, that doesnt help me. :)

Answer 1

It may have a lot to do with people's upbringing and what they were taught as kids. These beliefs were mentioned to children often before they were at the age of knowing reality from fantasy. Also they may want to fit in with their family's and society's view, to be more mainstream.

Answer 2

The simple answer is bigotry. Most people accept the environment they grow up in - the religion, the customs, the rules - without question, and they assume that theirs is better than everyone else's. This is particularly true in America, where we have such a sense of entitlement.

People who stay at an unquestioning level of moral and ethical development think in black and white terms. Good vs. evil, 'god' vs. devil, etc. They never consider the validity of other religions or possibilities because that requires abstract thought, a skill they failed to develop. Because they see the world in concrete, extreme dichotomies they feel obliged or entitled to punish people who violate their code. If they didn't have that sense of absolute certainty, they wouldn't be so dangerous. A person who can admit that they might be wrong won't strap a bomb to themselves or conduct and Inquisition.

BTW - Thomas Jefferson had sort of the same view and did his own translation of the bible - The Jefferson Bible - that excluded all the miracles and left only the teachings of Jesus.

Answer 3

I believe because I know the True Lord and understand what the bible wants me to be. The Christians of the days you are mentioning were ignorant and extremists that lack the true Lord in their life. Even blind sinners think they are Christians.

Proverbs 16:2 says," All mans ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

If it makes you feel better many Christians were killed for following Jesus. Many Jews were slaughtered by Hitler for being God's people. God can raise armies to defeat the detestable people like Hitler and the vile people back in BC days. God also raised armies against His own people for their lack of obedience and morality/ vile behavior. The Lord is Sovereign.

Answer 4

It's not just today, it has always been this way, especially when dealing with city folk vs country folk. City folk always assumed they were more sophisticated, thus their outlandish religious beliefs had more merit than those of the country folk.

Still that way, except now it's a matter of education and predominant religion.

Answer 5

Cultural.

Where you are raised, there is generally a majority religion which people accept as correct.

It's sad, but that's how it works.

Answer 6

One word.

Fear.

People fear what they don't understand, so they make up absurd ways to explain away their fears.

Answer 7

because people are bigots - religious and otherwise.