Why are insults necessary? and why the competition?

Question

To all people of religion, and to all people who lack religion, why do we, as humans, feel the need to insult other people based on THEIR religion (or lack thereof)? And why is there this competition of "we are the most persecuted!" "No, we are!"

Rather than arguing about something you can't possibly prove anyway, why don't we, as people who represent our beliefs, stand up AGAINST persecution.

Stop whining!!!! Most of us are lucky that we live in a place where we can freely practice our religions. Oh, *tear* we all get made fun of for our beliefs. but for the most part we aren't violently attacked.


Oh, I'm sorry, then we couldn't push people away from the religion we think they should have. *sarcasm*

Side note- I am a proud Christian, willing to share the word with anyone but NOT willing to insult others for their beliefs or try to push God onto them (which usually results in them being pushed farther away from him, anyway).

Hmmm... that's interesting. why are you insulting every member of my religion when many of us have yet to do anything wrong? (not that I'm saying a majority by any means.)

I said it was an insult no matter who does it.... just FYI

That was to Bruto...

But, now I've re-read it... Are you speaking of Christians in GENERAL, or all Christians (and my post)?

Wiccan Rider- I may share when I don't know that they don't want me to, but once I find out I stop, unless it is relevant in the conversation of course (no need to avoid my religion, you know?) It doesn't set me apart from ALL Christians, just many. but, to those who believe like I do, you have to remember to not be hypocritical and if you aren't going to avoid talking about your religion, they shouldn't be expected to avoid talking about theirs.

Answer 1

As this is a public board that is accessed across the world and number of Q&A's that occur here, it is remarkable that few and minor insults occur. Still we need to remember that the reader has very little to determine your tone from or any valid picture built up of you so they are at a loss of how to interpret what may to you be a non-insulting remark.

Try this experiment: Say "You are a moron" in several different tones of voice i.e. very angrily, matter of factly, jokingly, lovingly. Then type just those words in the same tone. This should be a good example of how much communication we miss out of when dealing with the written medium.

Answer 2

You bring up an interesting point. The insults and competition are the results of religion becoming politicized in the US. It's not enough to simply have a heart-felt belief in God; now, Christians must make their belief a part of political policy in the country. It's not enough for Christians to have their beliefs and their private worship; now they must make their worldview of Christ's dominion a matter of policy in every area of life: law, justice, education, finance, government, morality and sexuality. It's not enough for Christians to accept biblical doctrine as their guidelines for daily living; now they have to force those guidelines into public policy effecting every single American citizen. Because Christians themselves have tried (and succeeded in some limited areas) to accomplish their "regime change" throughout the country, OTHER people, who do NOT share the Christian worldview of Christ's dominion, are forced to fight back and often fight back in any way, whatever way, they can. Besides all this, the non-Christian has the US Constitution on their side, but because of the insidious nature of Christianity to infect every area of life with their magical thinking and anti-science mentality, even the US Constitution has been torn to shreds. THATS WHY there is so much antagonism and hate towards religion, and towards Christians generally.

Answer 3

Insults come from people that are ignorant. People who have been raised in a certain faith are to a degree "brainwashed" They take on the word of their tradition that their religion true (and sometimes the only one). Heck, it happened to me being Catholic. And it wasn't until i started studying religions that I started to question my faith....not my faith in God, but my faith in my religion. I started seeing the similarities between different religions, but also seeing the differences. But I digress...
The other problem that leads to insults and competition... the lack of understanding for another person's need to believe what they do. You can speak your mind, you can try and "save" people, but you cannot change a person unless they WANT to be changed. Every person on this earth is right where they need to be in their personal development, even if it is where we don't think they should be.

Answer 4

Namaste. Did you're making an honest mistake mutually with your kick? Did you're saying sorry in case you had made a mistake? Is it envisioned of recent pupils to make blunders? Is it achieveable that the senior made a mistake in being short-tempered with you? except you're psychological, forgive the senior, basically as you will possibly want to be forgiven for throwing the incorrect kick. there are various instructions to benefit on the process wushu, and humility and forgiveness are a number of them. you're extra advantageous than the insult.

Answer 5

a more important question should be:

"when are religions (christianity is a huge offender here) going to respect other religions and beliefs and stop trying to push thier morals and beliefs on them through legislating thier morality instead of legislating what is necessary to operate a society, and extorting third world countries to convert with the promise of food, medical treatment and supplies ONLY if they do"?

see when a christian typically says "can't we all just get along"?

"they mean, why don't you just listen to us and follow OUR way, and OUR morality is the one that should govern society, you can have your beliefs, so long as they don't conflict with our beliefs."

that is not respect- that is oppression.

Answer 6

Since your question isn't really a question my answer isn't really an answer, just a comment: thanks for the voice of reason, but expect it to be ignored by those who are just looking for an excuse to bash those on the "other side!" Still I appreciate your point. Insults and personal attacks do nothing to convince anyone except that the "others" are a bunch of jerks not worth listening to.

Answer 7

Insult and ridicule are time-honored ways of combating foolishness. This becomes necessary when that foolishness is granted credibility by people with power, in the interests of preserving those things that make this culture special.

This works regardless of which "side" you take.

Answer 8

I am not sure what your rant is. but i have no problem with Christians or anyone sharing their beliefs as long as they do not try and convert. do you also not share when people do not want you to share? If so then that separates you from other people who call themselves Christian.
BB

Answer 9

People are often more interested in attacking other people than other peoples' arguments. There is usually a lot of emotional baggage tied up in these issues (from both sides).

Answer 10

It seems that many of us humans suffer from low self esteem...that our (whatever) needs to be better than anyone else's in order for us to feel worthwhile.
If we would only realize that our Creator loves us equally and that all He really requires of us is gratitude and surrender, we'd all be more content.