Why do religions fight and churches break up? I would think that people that believe they are right, would give the same curtisy to others (to let them follow their rightness)? Can someone help me understand this?
135270
religion is the root of all evil
132410
The world is not so divided.\nYou could try ‘religious and not religious’\nBut I really don’t get why different religions feel the need to differentiate them selves from each other.  Its almost like watching Sunday football backing your favorite team, vandals, hooligans and all.
149710
Many religions, while on one hand speaking about peace and love, on the other hand often speak very poorly about non believers.\n\nFor example, in the Christian bible, Psalms chap 14 says atheists are foolish and no good.  Somewhere else it says witches and wizards should be killed.  In the New Testament it says the only way is through the lord.\n\nWhen you believe god is on your side saying you are right and the entire basis of human morality is your religion, how do you respect other beliefs?
250540
No religion is right or wrong.  It's  all about faith.  If you feel so strongly about your beliefs, is it so hard to accept that they feel the same about their own.  Sometimes a rational question and answer session is best.  Ask why they feel the way they do.  Explain why you feel the way you do.  More often than not, people find  common ground even when they think there isn't any.  There are some fanatics that can't be reasoned with--They should be deposited into the nearest pit of fire!
422301
Every religion (not everyone INVOLVED in the religion) teaches that all other beliefs other than their own are wrong.  Do all people take this to heart?  No.  I have met a lot of Christians and others who at least respect the fact that I am an Atheist.  Would they really rather me be their religion, of course.  They just know it's not going to happen any time soon.\n\nAlso, a lot of these people fear difference, and were taught to tell everyone and spread the word of their god.  However, they were never told how, so they feel they need to shove it down our throats or try to scare us by condemning us to their hell thinking it will change our minds.\n\nKeep strong, and ignore all the negative people.  Surround yourself with good people of all religions that respect you for who you are.  Remember though, don't throw all religious people in one pile.  Some are better than others!  Stay strong!  Don't let them get to you!\n\nJust laugh it off.\n\nGood luck!
434405
When ever a person talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not their reason, but their passions, which have got the better of their beliefs. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors; and when they separate, depend on it that it is for the sake of peace and quiet.\n\n\n~ Laurence Sterne ~
297359
LOL. I'll try to keep this short considering the answers you've already gotten. I'm an agnostic too, and have read and researched about different Monotheist religions. Now, people may not agree with me, but most of these religions have the same basic philosophy. That is, do no wrong, love thy neighbor, obey God, and thou shalt go heaven. The trouble, I've noticed, usually arises when the ritualistic side of religions pops out. It is mostly here that the main arguments stem from. \nIn essence all, relgions are continuations of each other.
247358
Josh, I can understand your reaction and plea. It's sort of like having a bunch of mosquitos buggin' you and you can't get away from them, and you don't have any "RAID". Religious arguments are useless. Many Christians are trying to do God's work for him, rather than just focusing on their own walk with God, and letting God do his own work. They get pushy in their zeal to get everybody "saved". Some of them mean well, but some are really not mentally or spiritually well, and they'll give RELIGIOUS answers to everthing, including NON RELIGIOUS questions. I know that you can delete your own answer to a question, but sometimes I think it would be a good idea if people asking a question could delete answers that offended them. That way the pushy ones (and other people who give offensive answers)would get their answers deleted quite often, and they would soon learn that what they were doing wasn't appreciated and wasn't doing any good. And it would filter the answers for other readers who want to read relevant answers and cast a vote etc. You might want to suggest that to Yahoo. By the way, I am a Christian too.
281861
Sadly it is a bit like that, let's try to keep it peaceful. My god is big enough to fight his own fights, it is his place to judge not ours, the bible teaches to accept all people and to pray for the lost whatever their beliefs. Anyone on here who wants to spread hate, you are not talking for your God but for your own hate.
307005
Maybe both conversation and debate. Some people want to prove that Christians are wrong while others may be interested in what the religion has to say for itself. It's a confusing matter but people (even me) still participate in these topics.
402688
Dear bluebootz,\n\ni think we need to do both.  i think it's important to understand what you believe- and i believe most people share what they believe with others not to impose their own beliefs on others, but because of errors they see in another's belief.  i think that there is a loving way to communicate errors in another's belief system (for example when i was in Thailand there was a temple where people were bowing down to Monkeys offering them money and stuff like that...) yes people have that freedom to do that... but seeing that was rather painful to my heart.  \n\nSo i think part of communicating lovingly with another is also trying to understand what they belief and the basis of that belief.\n\nIn terms of the Bible verse you quoted- the Corinthian church had forgotten how to love one another and there was much immorality in the church- so the Apostle Paul reminded them of the attitude they were to have as followers of Christ.  They were to love others before themselves, and not just think of themselves... think of how much better the world might be if people adopted that attitude... The verse refers to an attitude that someone who follows Jesus should have... not just being self-centered... but being God and other people centered...  It's not making a statement about our internal morality...\n\nHope that helps.  Kindly,\n\nNickster\n\nP.S.:  Feel free to email me:  nicksterlee@yahoo.com if you need any more clarification on the verse.
146133
As it is in life, different religions cannot live in harmony. I personally belong to no religion, and find it easy to tollerate and co-exist with people of other religions. Maybe this is a lesson the children of the future need to be taught.
332041
Because, everyone thinks they are right and everyone else is wrong. Therefore the fighting is simply an act of human nature. It is difficult because some religions may prohibit people to believe in other religions, therefore resulting in what like the Spaniards did, making everyone Christian. We must fight, although we must also respect and love our enemies.
594368
A lot of religions share similar themes. Most have taken ideas from past religions and sort of reformed them.  It can be confusing with so many religions out there.  I take a anthropological mostly agnostic view on religion.  I know there is something, but who knows what, and who knows which religion is the one to follow.
312827
Because not all Christians are like you. Have you read some of the questions and answers that your fellow Christians have given on this site? The small minded insults that get tossed at people who don't follow Christ are amazing..and horrible. It is people like that, who unfortunately come to represent the Christian group because they are the loudest, that make the whole concept of organized religion unsavory to me. \n\nThere is no doubt in my mind that there are good people within that faith. But there are also lots of loud horrible ones who keep coming back time and time again with their hate. Until that subsides, I don't think I could ever see Christianity as a truly 'peaceful' religion.
111648
One thing I take from this is that understanding religion is a difficult.  People fight because another person's religion is different. (Abdul Rahman in Afghanistan to be executed for wrong thinking?) and people fight within their own religion because someone interprets it differently (Catholic and Born Again, Shiite and Sunni.) Why don't we throw the whole thing out and start all over, with rational thought?
98929
Hindus have a great look at this, they too believe that everyone is worshiping the same thing- the Ultimate Reality. You can call it anything you want, and get there however you want to, but it's all the same thing. As long as you have true devotion in your beliefs, they believe that you're good to go! \n\nI'm with you though. It makes me sad that people just can't get along, especially the Abrahamic religions you mention. It is the same God y'all, how bout we all act nice and get to him how we're supposed to?