. . .tend to hold up the most extreme examples of another person's religious beliefs as being representative of the entire group? I'm thinking of things like the "Muslim terrorist," the "amoral atheist," or the "fundamentalist Christian" stereotypes.
Is it human nature to find the worst examples of a group and use them to prove your point that "all those worthless (fill in the blank) are like that"?
Or are people's debating and logic skills so weak these days that they have to resort to mud-slinging and generalization to 'prove' their point?
2007-12-30 04:29:21 · 12 answers · asked by Wolfeblayde 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wonderful question, wonderful points of view.
People do this all the time, in all areas of life. The way many try to influence people to see things as they do (politically, religiously, and otherwise) is not by sharing why those beliefs make sense; rather, they try to destroy all other points of view by stereotyping, taking things out of context, generalizing, etc.
This is unfortunate. How many of us have had our views attacked or distorted, and responded with hurt and anger? Is the world any better when we perform this dance: you attack me, I attack you back? You attack again?
I think the main point I make over and over again at this site is: the overwhelming majority of people I know who are ________ (Mormons, Catholics, Atheists, Muslims, etc.) are good people. Don't judge an entire group by the actions of a few.
Of course, that means that I must be a dreaded "liberal Christian." Better than a "mudslinger" right? Peace.
2007-12-30 04:41:07 · answer #1 · answered by Colin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's human nature to find the worst possible example of a large group of people, and use that against them. It's a bad logical argument, but it works.
All things aside, most Christians are not fundamentalists, the Islamic religion is peaceful (for the most part), and atheists are not immoral.
2007-12-30 04:36:09 · answer #2 · answered by Alex H 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'll blame the media for this one........take for example the "news" Why it's called that in the first place, I don't get.....When did you last watch the news on TV and see actually something "NEW" to report about?? The media fuels the cranially challenged (the greater majority of our country) with BS that people actually believe, and the last part of your question I couldn't agree with more.......Yes, people in general have gotten others to think for them, yes, their debating, decision making and logic skills are pretty much buried in those really important things, like which rehab Brittany is going into (WHO GIVES A CRAP??? I mean, really, does that little piece of trailer trash deserve so much attention?? )
Christopher
2007-12-30 04:54:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
The nice ones don't stand out enough. The problem with any social or religious group will always be the zealots because they are the ones that make the headlines and set the example that the rest of the world sees.
2007-12-30 04:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by Katie 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because it's easy... and most people here are one or the other ;)
Oh, btw, I don't do that... I just answer questions. I might sometimes drag up fundie actions to counterpoint some claim a christian makes tht claims they're all nice and reasonable... but that's about it.
2007-12-30 04:48:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Very very good question.
Personally, I think it all comes from the media and people having closed, ignorant minds.
Theres always going to be a bad apple in every religion right? Why should the good apples be judged for what the bad apples do?
2007-12-30 04:40:25 · answer #6 · answered by ☮Luwayla☮ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nice question!
You know that in Bible is written that the good tree can see after the good fruits and the bad tree you can see after his bad fruits.
Because of that, tipically we look after other fruits and we forget to take care about our fruits.
Also is better to remember that Jesus told us to take care about our wooden chunk from our nose insteat to check other stick.
Kyrie eleison!
2007-12-30 04:37:32 · answer #7 · answered by krabul 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good question!! It certainly seems to be the case! Instead of simply passing something by that we may find offensive, we have to get in there and get nasty!! Thanks for pointing this out in such a non-offensive fashion.
2007-12-30 04:37:13 · answer #8 · answered by tampagramma 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Both of your points are true. We like to justify ourselves and make ourselves feel good by bashing other people. We bash other people by looking for the worst possible things about their beliefs and customs.
2007-12-30 04:33:16 · answer #9 · answered by S C 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
For most people there is a need for "us" and "them" and we all use various boxes to define people. It is easier to find differences and feel safe in our small pond than to see the similarities and feel overwhelmed in the large ocean.
2007-12-30 04:34:25 · answer #10 · answered by furbratz 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋