Why do so many people think that criticizing others beliefs, will make them change their minds?

Question

I know not everybody does this on here, but many of you do. And as a christian, when I see other christians acting this way it makes me very sad.

So...
To the believers-- Do you really think that whatever God you believe in wants you to be rude? Do you think that it makes people want to be apart of your religion? I don't know about other bibles, but I know the christian bible tells us to simply "love one another." Not just the believers, or who we think is worthy, it says EVERYBODY. It also says "Judge not, lest ye be judged".


And to the Non Believers....
Do you really think that simply calling somebody stupid for believing in God will make them suddenly realize that they are wrong and change everything? And honestly, how does it harm you personally if I believe in God? If I pray for you will it make you drop dead? If you don't believe there is a God, then what does it really matter?

BLUETICK-- I did not lump anybody. I clearly stated that I know not everybody does this. And I did point fingers at BOTH sides. Not just the "believers" or "non belivers" I think EVERYBODY does this. And I don't see how it gets their point across. I know many people on hear can have intelligent, well rounded, calm debates. I have had them with many people on here.

Answer 1

I applaud your inquiry and decision to hear both sides. I appreciate it when I see a christian like you who isn't preachy (no offense, but some can be) and accepts others, and I hope to be the same way, accepting, as well as to see others accepting. For the answers:
-No, I don't. It's something both christians and atheists sometimes do, delivering an offensive, one-sided answer, and frankly, it convinces nothing, only causes further prejuidice. I don't answer with "you're a complete idiot!", I believe explaining a point of view in a respectful, educated way.

-As you probably know, not all of us atheists are anti-theists (non-believers who believe the concept of god is harmful), as well (some non-believers do, but some of us don't). I don't think your belief in god is harmful; sure, I don't personall think what you believe is true, and I doubt any amount of witnessing will change my position, but I don't think it's going to kill or harm you. It's your beliefs, and your right to choose what they are, I'd just want you to know my side, as well.

-No, I appreciate the thought, I just don't think there will be any response to that prayer.

-And a final point: I want to succeed because I have dreams and goals, dreams and goals that I feel motivated to achieve, and I have people who care aboot me who I care aboot. As an atheist, I feel I only get one shot, one shot to do everything, so I want to do accomplish as much as I can with my time. There are the suicidal atheists who end it since they there's nothing after, but there are those of us motivated to do the best we can with our time; we're driven, and it could be from our souls.

People are just people, believer or not. Hope you find what you're looking for, and bueno luck.

Answer 2

You know, to me it doesn't matter what faith you have, it's the type of person you are and how you treat people. Unfortunately, too many people take their religion too seriously, and do hateful things or promote hate towards others based solely on their religious views. I bother because I have to bother. If I don't, there's one less voice asking for reason and equality, tolerance and acceptance. I don't necessarily care whether or not someone becomes an atheist or not, but I do care that people share the good, but keep the bad of their religions to themselves. A point of clarification: I have no faith in science, because science is not a faith, it is a process of discovering what things are, how they work, how they came to be, and what advancements can we make to improve what we already have and know. It doesn't require belief anymore than you require belief that the computer you're looking at right now works and is actually in front of you, and not in some distant unknowable ethereal dimension. It isn't a moral guide, just a tool for figuring out the physical universe. It doesn't require faith. What it proves to be true are true whether you believe it or not. Just as an experiment, try denying that computers exist. Try denying that electricity powers homes all across America. Try believing that your car has tiny horses that need to be fed hay every couple hours in order for it to run. You can't do it, can you? Your mind knows that these things are not true, so no matter how much you try to convince yourself, you know you're just playing make-believe. So what do you say to your friend that actually believes those things are true, and keeps trying to convince you of the same? Well, same thing goes for most atheists and religion. That's why we bother.

Answer 3

In matters of religion and politics people can be so passionate that they cannot stand others thinking a different way. They may even feel offended or threatened by beliefs that they do not accept.

It is helpful to share reasons why we keep our beliefs so that others will understand. Just don't expect people to always be calm and rational when their cherished beliefs are attacked. People may be secretly afraid that their beliefs are wrong and have no other framework for their lives yet.

Answer 4

Yahoo answer is a wonderful learning platform. It you don't identify yourself with criticism, then idea will not disturb you. Let everyone express, the way s/he wants to.

We must understand that diversity is the law of the nature. Division comes from mind, which always judge and categorized the idea/people as good and pad. Anything which divides is an idea against spirituality. Religion/belief is at mental level and spirituality is beyond mind.

Answer 5

Well, I actually believed in letting people believe what they wanted to believe in.

However, people started to push their religious beliefs onto other people and started changing laws in the US to fit their narrow minded agenda, including but not limited to funding religious organizations with public money (which is against the Constitution), shoving religious agenda into the education system which brainwashes the young people, and other subtle jibs and jabs here and there...

Eventually, this will lead to a cessation of science and technology and the US would fall back into a Medieval state of affars and the society will collapse in the US because of it.

In order to keep the US in from declining into barbarism, we need to quit believing in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and some invisible being somewhere floating in the sky.

We need to get a grip. This is the 21st Century. We need to get our minds focused in science, math and technology and dump the non-fact based ideas.

We keep on going the way we are, it wouldn't matter what you think. If religion wins, we all lose. If fatcs win, we all win.

Answer 6

i would never call anybody stupid for believing in god. i simply think that the world would be better off without religion - all types of it. as far as i can see, religion is the major cause of all that's wrong with the world - it's caused wars, terrorists use it as an excuse to blow up innocent people..... people say we will be saved if we get down on our knees and pray. i have yet to see any evidence that we are getting any outside help. as far as i can see, the earth is self destructing and no amount of praying is going to stop it from happening. if there's a god, why doesnt he step in and help us out of the mess we're all in?

Answer 7

I have devoted many hours to research and gathered much information. I have tried to boil that down into comprehensive statements that are true. I use them over and over because it reflects that which I have learned. I do not care what other people believe. I have never called anyone stupid or any such similar term. One should be careful about lumping large groups of people together under one term.

Answer 8

It's true we are to love, but Jesus did call certain people vipers and "sons of hell". He wasn't much for sugarcoating even while loving. Isn't he the one we're supposed to be following, or don't you like that part of the faith? As for the judging:

1 Corinthians 6:3 - Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

Answer 9

Because they do not know the TRUE GOSPEL. Many are blinded and majority will be deceived in these last days, as per Book of Revelation. Many people forgot the lifestyle of Yahushua (Jesus), which is simple, meek and humble. They forgot that people followed Yahushua because of his character and not by being pushy in preaching his words. "Living in righteous way will make people believe you are Yahweh's people."

Answer 10

I agree with you. It is quite sad; a sign of the times we are living in. Criticism is just that, a judgmental spirit. Unfortunately it is part of human nature, and it abounds everywhere. The best we can do is guard ourselves against it and strive not to take part in it.