Embracing Others?

Question

We, as a society, all have our own beliefs that we will believe in, and our own beliefs in how we want to live our lives, but what is it about certain religions and followers of those religions, that make them bash others for not believing in what they believe in. I am a very free willed person and very open minded, and have found truth, to a certain extent, in certain religions. I am not a person to judge another person because of what they do or do not believe in, but I do pass judgments when another person will think less of somebody just because they don't follow the beliefs they have. We all have our own minds and opinions, and I become saddened each day when somebody will take on such a bias view about somebody that is different then them. I thought the point of religion was to share with, learn from, and embrace yourself to and with others, and not judge them for not being or feeling the same way that you do.

Each day I lose my faith in any religion I may feel has truth, as I feel it turns you into a person who will judge others, and not embrace them for their differences. What I think is wonderful about life is the ability to express your own individuality, and embrace other cultures and have an open mind for their beliefs and traditions, and the way they live their lives much differently than our own.

So, tell me, why do you think certain religions and followers of those religions have such biased views, or if you are one of them, please explain why you do this? I am not searching to be saved, rather I am searching for answers.

Answer 1

I was originally going to answer with just "HUUUUUUGS!" and link to a cute cartoon. But your question is such a good one that I'll give you a real answer.

First, I think it's human nature to be somewhat judgmental about others. Being discerning helped us to survive. Imagine our ancestors on the savannah - or if you don't believe in evolution, pretend like you do for a minute and go along with me. :) Imagine our ancestors on the savannah, interacting with other groups of australopithecenes, or Homo erectus, or whichever ancestor you choose to imagine. I think we probably learned to be judgmental and a little suspicious of other humans early in our development as a species, and it served us well - otherwise it wouldn't be such a widespread human trait today. I think our ancestors probably learned to mistrust other homonids who appeared drastically different in some important way - gait, stature, behavior - because they may not have been an ideal mate.

Of course, today we recognize that there is no logical reason to mistrust or dislike another human being based only on their religious or traditional beliefs, so long as those beliefs don't actually cause harm to others. We know logically that it's poor behavior for us to mistrust, yet usually we can't help but be suspicious or even afraid of those who are "different" in some measurable way.

I don't think this is an aspect of religion, but of human behavior.

However, I do believe that religion often helps to compound this behavior and nurture it. We're such remarkable animals - we know better than to go with our instincts for suspicion. We could overcome that instinct for the most part if we chose. Yet religious communities serve to keep us locked in an "us and them" mentality - they enhance our tribal identity and our tribal suspicions. Most of them may preach that we should embrace others and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, yet when we get down to the "us versus them" issues the human nature at the core of religion bubbles up.

Just look at the gay marriage issue. Sure, it says in the Bible that God doesn't like male homosexual behavior - but it also says that God wants us to kill our own offspring if they misbehave (Leviticus 20:9). Why don't the Christian groups that preach the oppression of gays and the denial of equal civil rights to gays also preach punishing misbehaving kids with death? It's right there in the Bible, alongside God's hatred for gay men.

Why? Because modern morality says that it's wrong to kill except in self-defense. And we are especially revolted by the idea of killing children, whom we view in modern society as largely innocent and rather ignorant of "sin." Children are important in a modern world, and we accept and love them, even revere them.

However, many people see enough difference in homosexuals that the very idea of a person who is so different in behavior triggers the "us vs. them" mentality from our ancestors on the Savannah. Logically, a religious person knows that a gay person is still a person and deserves to be treated with consideration (or - most of them logically see that, anyway). However, when they get into their human-controlled religious groups, the mob mentality takes over and suddenly logic goes out the window. When your mistrustful instincts are being multiplied and reflected by your "tribe" then you're not going to be inclined to think clearly about such an issue as whether two people who care about each other and are committed to living together and helping one another through life should be given equal tax breaks and power-of-attorney rights, are you? No, what you're going to hear from all sides - and say yourself - is "They're not like us! We can't trust them! This is potentially dangerous!" When you have some lines of text in an ancient book that seem to back up your instinctual mistrust, you have even less motivation to be a good *modern* human and set aside the mistrust in favor of logic.

Sorry, this is getting really long. I guess in summary:

It's not all the fault of *religion*. It's human instinct to not embrace others. We can overcome that instinct and be better and more peaceful humans, as we all know we should be, but the structure of religion and the tribal reinforcement it provides don't make that easy.

Answer 2

What do you see as bias ? Well for one thing at least understand that Jesus is the head of the church body(eph.5:25) So if he is head(leader) and we are his follwers than there should be guide lines in which we should follow. Now if it is ok to be disobedient to the head then there should have been a removal of all guide lines. It is true that he said , "if you love me keep my commandments". Also he made us know that "the Holy spirit will guide us into all truth and bring back remembrance of all he(christ) has said". Because people threw the ages have grieved away the Holy spirit and set men up to be (God) in the church there is error. The church has been divided like the kingdom of Israel into to groups. In (matt.5:17) Jesus says those that obey and teach the Law are great and those that brake the least of the commandments in the law is called least. This division has brought about the confusion and hate and divisions of denominations. They make it almost impossible to know who is on the Lord side. So because of this we have to take a bold stand for the word and hope we can make our calling an election sure. Above all using the holy scriptures as our lamps of truth and the Holy spirit as the fuel to keep the fire burn in us. It is good to love but make sure we use the christians compass to let us know just how far we are going with love. Look at the reformers of the protestant ages that stood against unbiblical, satanic, ignorant church clergy to the point of death just so we can make a choice. So do not be sad unless it is in deep searching of heart and crying out against such confusion in the church. People are people but we all need to pray for grace enough to rise above this unloving generation of professed christians.

Answer 3

What you permit, Happy Times, increases. Your world sounds beautiful, but not practical. There is evil in this world and evil increases if it is not dealt with. Hitler was a silver, tongued devil and so is his father, Satan. Not all religions mean you well. You judge evil. You reproof (rebuke) evil. Some are totally ignorant of what they are involved in and upon these have compassion and attempt to snatch from the fires of hell. But some are well aware of their deceiving behavior and they prey upon the innocent whether believers or unbelievers.

My approach to God is not casual and flippant. I can't love God and fail to love others. Neither can I let untruth be published nor stand by while it is being done. I am commanded to STUDY the Word of God to show myself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) This verse has been changed in every English bible on the face of this earth, but one - the King James Version. If you understand what I am talking about then you should understand that Satan's hand is in everything.

Answer 4

Some people, especially Christians think that once you are saved that you should just turn into this completely different person. They don't understand that it is a process into learning to change the things about yourself that is not good. Everyone makes mistakes. Lots of people also compare their sins to others. "Well at least I don't do this...". In reality it is all the same. If Christians learned to help those in need instead of shooting their wounded, they would probably get a better rep.

Answer 5

Not speaking for everyone, because some Christians are less mature than others and some who call themselves Christian really are not, but...

Imagine if your friend sent a letter to you and for whatever reason, you asked me to tell you what it said rather than read it yourself. If your friend said something hurtful to you, would that be my fault?

Similarly, when a Christian is witnessing to someone, what they are doing is saying 'God says such and such is a sin and because of sin in your life, you need forgiveness.'

If you feel guilty or offended, it's not the individual Christian you have a problem with, it's God with whom you have the problem.

And, ultimately, that is the point. I know that sounds odd, even to most Christians, but the bible says the purpose of the law is show our need for forgiveness.

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

Most religions teach their children that theirs is the only true religion and all others are wrong.
Things indocrinated in children under 8 years old stick, and things indoctrinated into an under 5 are very hard to reverse. So those children are stuck with it for life, like it or not, they seem unable to change their attitude.
You can see the result of it on here every day of the week....!!

Answer 7

Very good question, but I don't think that anyone is going to have a satisfactory answer because human nature is not that well understood.

Answer 8

If you truly believe in a religion, you should not down other people or religions, otherwise you truly are not a religious person.....religion is constant...people are not

Answer 9

If I am firmly cemented in a belief system, your doubt/questioning can cause me anxiety and fear.

For many humans, it is far easier for me to bash you from my place of cemented certainty than it is for me to face my anxieties and fears. The latter requires courage, the former allows me to stay comfortably where I am.

Answer 10

ignorant to the word for GOD LOVED THE WORLD SO MUCH HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON SO YOU SEE WHEN WE RUN ACROSS OTHERS OUT THERE THAT HAS NOT CAME IN WE IN-BRACE THEM WE LET THE KNOW THERE IS A GOD AND HOW HE SAVED US FROM HELL AND DAM NATION AND HE HAS NO RESPECTED PERSON HE LOVES US ALL NOT OUR SINS BUT HIS PEOPLE AND JUST LIKE HE CLEANED ME UP HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR THEM WE SERVE A LOVING GOD A GOD WHO WILL NEVER FOR SAKE US EVEN WHEN WE TURN OUR BACK AND GO INTO ANOTHER DIRECTION HE STILL THERE WITH HIS ARMS STRETCH OUT SAYING WELCOME BACK MY CHILD AND WHEN WE REPENT HES NOT LIKE MAN HE FORGIVE SO DONT BEAT SOMEONE UP FOR THERE SINS TELL THEM ABOUT HOW GOD CHANGE YOU JUST MIGHT BE WHAT THEY NEED TO HEAR GOD BLESS HIS PEOPLES