Why do we always try to riddicule and downgrade each other's beliefs?

Question

Face it...we ALL have beliefs that look "silly" or "ridiculous" to somebody, whether we are religious or not.

I just cannot comprehend why some people think it's necessary to tear down the belief systems of others. Do they do it to compensate for their insecurities about their own beliefs? I guess they figure, "Oh! Look how stupid their beliefs are! That makes mine look better!" Or maybe they are just doing it to be hateful? I don't know.

I would think that most adults would have the maturity and open-mindedness to accept others, but sadly it isn't that way. This is America, we have freedom of religion. Why is it so "crazy" to you if someone is an Atheist? A Catholic? A Mormon? A Jehovah's Witness? etc...

I guess we'll never learn to fully accept each other. There's always going to be some self-righteous bigots who think they have the authority to stomp all over somebody's beliefs. Why do you think this is?

za - I said "we" because I didn't want to single out one belief system. I was referring to all of us as a whole. There are always exceptions. There are always people who DO treat others with respect.

Answer 1

Many people feel that, "I am right. Therefore, everyone who disagrees with me is wrong."

This is obviously not a very productive attitude, but it is unfortunately deeply ingrained in many religious practices. Because to accept that someone else might be right, in that mindset, means accepting that you may be wrong.

And since the power of most religious organizations rests on unquestioning belief, they cannot ever allow themselves to think that that they may be wrong.

Not all religions, or all people of those religions, are like that. My path requires me to think, to question, to examine my own beliefs, not to ridicule others'. I know some very open-minded people who follow some very strict paths, and still manage to keep their integrity and not tear down those who think otherwise. But it's hard for them, because there is so much pressure from their path to conform, to not even entertain the notion that anyone who does not think and believe and worship as they do might still be a worthy person.

What it will take to overcome this, and I've been saying this a lot today, is conscious effort. We must train (or sometimes re-train) our minds to listen to what others have to say without allowing their idea to threaten us. And we must teach our children the same. It will be difficult, but it is possible, if enough of us make up our minds to do it.

Answer 2

I think it's because some people can not accept the fact that others can be different. You should see the strange looks that I get when people find out that I'm an atheist. It's my personal choice and I don't ridicule others for their beliefs.
I think that one day we will all respect each others opinions, look how far we've come over the centuries.

Answer 3

We don't. It happens a lot, but we don't always. Most people are left alone in their beliefs by others.

Answer 4

It's human nature to try to lift oneself up by pushing somebody else down.

Answer 5

everyone wants to prove that they are right. they want their opinion to be taken into account. they also want to be noticed by people in all cases and instance. therefore the only way to do so is to enforce this!

Answer 6

I would agree to this if we agree to keep all religious opinions out of schools and laws.

Answer 7

I would agree this, if we would keep religious beliefs away from laws.

Answer 8

There are beliefs with more substance. Every belief is not equivalent, some are just ignorant and should be challenged as such.

Answer 9

And on that note... I ask permission to join the drinking game...

Answer 10

I think these people are narrow minded. I never do that.