I always struggle to understand why people get so freaked out if you say that there is more than one way to belive in god or have spirituality.
122061
This is something I've wondered about for a long time.  To me it makes so much sense that everyones spiritual path is unique to them, that there is no such thing as a "one True" way.  Everyone sees a different face of the divine.... \n\nThe reasons why people are afraid are simple though - they are uncertain.   Any act of faith makes people feel vulnerable - it should!  Faith is an act of belief without any tangible proof, of course people can get touchy/defensive about it.  Faith makes people feel good, but any challenge to that (such as the existance of multiple religions) means that there may be something else that they haven't considered.   They are insecure.
559482
Why is it that you have to question others beliefs?
159058
Or you could doubt Gods existence all of the time. I am always surprised at how little people know about their own religions. They ask for no facts, no accountability, and never question what they are told. I think they fear that their belief won't hold up and they will find out that they have wasted all of this time on nothing. I say if you are going to believe in God then at least know why. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions, and don't let them get away with answers that don't make sense. Also, don't let them make you feel bad asking. If you are asking, and they don't have a good answer, maybe something is wrong.
427269
Many people feel this way.  Mainly becuase that is how the church split into denominations in the first place.  There are those that believe if you don't speak in tongues you are not saved.  There are those that believe if you are not baptized you are not saved.  There are those that believe that the Trinity is a false God, etc.  It is also human nature to want to be right and show everyone else that they are wrong (just look at the atheists on this site to know that this is not just a Christian phenomenon).  However, I know that God is never going to come ask me if it is okay to let a certain individual into the kingdom of heaven!
4445
I am also a Christian and the reason they do is because they're scared. To believe in god is to much for them. And that would mean not going to heaven they would want that. So for them it's easier to just believe that there is no god just a heaven. And that they are going there. E-mail me it would be cool to finally have another believer to talk to. Oh yeah don't listen to this "Skeptic Man".
626426
you think that's bad, when i was 4 the local Bible thumpers kid when on the school bus and told everyone on the bus that didn't believe in jesus that they were going to hell, and that satan will be there waiting, i was like OMFG from a 4year old, some people take there religion way to seriously, if you have faith I'm happy for you, but its just that your faith, everyone interprets there religious beliefs, and we as people have no right to tell them whats right and wrong as fare as what they believe, because in the end it wont be what they believe, it would be what you want them to believe, and if that were to happen, it wouldn't be believe in a great being, it would be what people wanted you to believe, making even harder to truly be happy with what you understand, and practice, because there's a huge difference when someones telling you want to believe, and you believe it, then if your find faith on your own, it gives you more of an understanding of you, so long story short, your not the only one out there that thinks that so disrespectful, i hope this has helped
78867
Imagine how scary it must be to not believe in God, or in an afterlife.  Imagine how scary it is...if you are wrong.  I would imagine that many people that claim not to believe in God must have a nagging doubt, some underlying suspicion that they may not even be aware of.  If you live your life in whatever way you choose, claiming not to believe in an afterlife, in heaven or in hell, then what happens if you are wrong?  I would think that must be terrifying...and what do many people do when they are afraid of something..they attack.  They attempt to fight, to disprove, to make themselves feel better, to feel safer, in any way that they can.  That is just my opinion.
593089
I think that not only do they have a high ego, but can actually be dangerous to society.  I believe in God, but I disbelieve in organized religion.  I believe that our hearts are the temples we worship God in.  Basically, any small group of people who get together to make decisions for a large group of people make me uneasy.  If you back one of those fundamentalists into a corner and ask the hard questions like "Why did my Mom die of cancer?" or "Why did my little boy get hit by a car?"....you're going to get "It's God's will"  or  "the Lord works in mysterious ways".  The truth is, they don't know.  But they DO know that God wants you to vote Republican, and He's against raising taxes but He's for the defense, and even though it's one of His creations, He desperately hates marijuana.   Personally, they just make me nervous.
179111
People get enthusiastic about talking about their faith, or talking about an issue that seems to involve their set of beliefs. It just so happens God is a hot topic, espeically on these boards. Part of the problem may be (and i have to admit i dont know what your questions were) no feels they know enough to answer your questions. Much like most people on here id imagine, i try and answer questions that i think i can have some benefit to the asker. If your questions were either too specific or about an area no one felt comfortable answering (other than the wiki paste) then that might be why.
38279
Because people are afraid of what they don't understand . . . of the unknown . . . of change . . . of differences. It's like a defensive mechanism or something. People get defensive over something that they perceive as threatening to what society and religion has deemed normal.
567179
Different people need to believe different things to continue going on and dealing with life as long as that individual does not cause malicious premeditated harm to anyone (you can argue what that incorporates amongst yourselves cause I'm not 100% sure) let them believe what they choose after all someone telling you you are wrong or going to hell because of what they believe doesn't make it true and they will not know if its true until they are dead and maybe not even then.
572981
Yes, I understand all of these things. But it is the nature of people to find it confusing that other people disagree with them after having thought about the issues. Many religious folk can't understand why anyone would be an atheist and many atheists don't understand how anyone who has considered the issues could be religious. Both sides seem to think the other is missing something crucial.\n\nWith that said, there are many believers that *are* trying to convert others. They do so because their religion says they should or because they feel that they have a way to 'salvation' and want others to share in their joy. There are also many morons on both sides who either follow their religion blindly or are atheists for the rebellion aspect of it. very few on either side think deeply about their beliefs.\n\nMy problem begins when the believers say that we have to teach their doctrines in school or avoid scientific or historical findings that contradict their beliefs. I have problems when they make it difficult for people to get birth control, or study stem cells, or love they people they find to love. believers have a long history of trying to control the minds and bodies of others. That is why I have problems with many of them.
92626
i'm with you on this dude.but you must understand the difference between spiritual and religious. the religious person ignores his experience on the basis books they believe in. a true spiritualist leaves his/her believes when he has experience something other then what is written in books. follows the path of his heart, seeks light from with in, and understands that there no wrong or right till he/her decides that it is. seeks understanding from all walks of life.  god is far too big to understood by one, two or three types of understanding. Zen talks.com meditation groups, spiritualist church( this church is for all seeker. no dogma is preach. but some rule are asked of participant. 1;to love fully 2;to respect all life, cause all life is sacred. 3;truth is the only path to your divinity. trust your feelings, and always be joyous. life and God is the same thing. best of luck, on you way home. peace, love, joy be with you always.
645095
It just makes it easier for them to ignore God and excuse away their choice not to follow Him.   It is difficult to grasp the concept of the enormity of God and many people simply cannot wrap their brains around it.
673258
I think it is the way people approach religious subjects that makes folks uncomfortable.
174637
Because those people are afraid that if you think about religion in a scientific manner then youll raise questions that cant be answered by religion.  \n\nA real person a faith shouldnt ask you to forget what you learned just because it might challenege their ideas.  Religion isnt perfect and neither is science.  They may or may not work together but as of right now we dont know the ultimate trusts about both subjects so its very hard to tell when they really do agree or disagree.\n\nLearn both sides and decide for yourself what is true. Don't let others make you think that blind faith in either is necessary or okay.
580165
I most certainly can see how those statements are anti-religion propaganda. But people fear/hate what they don't understand.