People do outrageous things to try and justify thier beliefs.  If a person believes something it is very difficult to make him  see things from another point of view.\n\nHowever, an idea can be changed, modified and discussed in a relatively peaceful manner.
122874
Why should we have to "believe" anything? I agree..Ideas are better...What, are all of us so pretentious that we believe that the greatest minds ever have tried to figure it all out and couldnt, but what youve been "told" is absolutly true without doubt? What a narrow point of view!God forbid you have an original thought or question the sense of a taught doctrine, or you might be burned up in hell for an eternity by a God who defines himself as Love?\nHey in a world like the one we live in, who needs that kind of love? Ya know they talk about "religious war" well as far as I can see in all of history, every war has been over religion of some sort...over Beleifs, at least, for sure...One could speculate thay "belief" is the very cause of war itself...If people could just Concede that their "idea" is an opinion, as in fact it is, then maybe they could show more respect for those who have different ideas...No matter how much you believe in something it doesnt make it true or not true...No amount of faith in a lie makes it true, just like lack of faith doesnt make something Not true. People are like Cattle...And they're on a Drive...Go where the guys with the whips tell you!...But I wont
224633
People will defend whatever they believe in/stand for, it's natural once someone is inspired, or indoctrinated, by those teachings...When it comes to spreading the teachings, it's a person's lack of understanding that all teachings have the same root that makes them oppose others' views on life...
13169
I think what this guy is trying to point out is the frustration with so many people being led blindly by dated or 'obsolete' ideologies. I think this question is more akin to people with 'leftist' ideals, that see in the masses a repeating pattern of spoon-fed idiocy. Whenever I think of this question, I think of the millions of people that believe in anything without questioning or analyzing the deepness of the subject. What really comes to mind is RELIGION and PATRIOTISM. So many have been led into believing things that are not even entirely certain, are very subjective and bound to relativity and seemingly created to keep a group of people in power. \nI think this person is frustrated with so many people not questioning beliefs and believing blindly just because 'tradition' demands it.\nWhat frustrates me is that I see so many backwards things and so many people not even questioning them, buying into them and being told how to be and how to act by non-founded dubious sources... this is very saddening, and yes, I think it affects us all. Open-mindedness and an analytical, critical attitude is much needed nowadays, when we're being bombarded by propaganda and lies every day. It's time for society to evolve, go beyond tradition, rid of the old attitudes that have proven wrong, and WAKE UP!
382771
People who do believe in that stuff \nwill carry the thought with them, \ntherefore creating their own bad luck \nand associating any bad things to it.\nSuperstition is not so super.
168976
Like it or not, our lives are a defense of what we believe whether we know how to articulate it or not.  Our choices reflect our beliefs.  \n\nThe ability or inability of a person or group of people to defend their beliefs is not proof of the validity of the belief.  It simply speaks to their competence (or lack of it) as communicators.\n\nShould we be able to know and defend what we believe?  Sure.\n\nIs our ability the proof of the veracity of the belief?  No.
305210
it seems to me that people who live in more populated areas interact with more people and hear and discuss more different ideas than people who live in less crowded areas.  I think seeing that there are people in other religions and from other cultures AND that they are good people leads one to be more open-minded and tolerant --- and less convinced that there is only one right way to believe.
505052
While that's a noble ideal, it is human nature to disagree.  Everyone has their own set of life experiences that helped shape their beliefs and the priority they give different aspects of life, including those that intersect with the government.  Also, for the intellectually lazy, it's simply easier to demonize opponents instead of addressing their concerns and engaging in reasoned debate.
58941
People should politely inform other people about their religion then leave it up to them to decide what they want to believe. \nI think expanding one's knowledge of different religions is always beneficial, whether you agree with their ideas or not.
85919
The scientific method creates objectivity. It is very difficult for a person with an idea in his head to discard it when facts indicate they are wrong.
328121
Some people really dont know what religion is. Sometimes you just have to break it down, cause if someone told you about something and you didnt understand, and then they said something to describe then you would say ok yes that place. In some part of the world, people dont believe in that and talk about it. And i am not one to judge to say whether i believe the person is a christian.
628915
People have something to believe in... something to give them inner strength.  You can't diss them for that.
193664
People believe what they are told to believe as children. If it makes no sense, they still will believe it, if it is pounded into them long enough.\n\nThe smarts ones evolve.
522661
Psychologically speaking, I believe it is called mirroring or projecting ones view of what someone believes it is onto another. \nIt seems to me, looking at some of the responses here that most people in our country don't disagree on a lot of things. Stem cell research, abortion, global warming etc. I think maybe if we can manage to get the squeaky wheels to a livable decibel level we may be able to get some action on a lot of issues. Both sides are overly emotional about what they believe.
136770
People harden their hearts to God...they choose not to believe because if He exists they have to make a decision. It is much easier to call Christians crazy.
386401
When it comes to religion, a lot of people are unable to accept anything aside from what they were raised to believe or have come to believe.  They believe that their way is the right way, and everything else is just bunk.
210463
How else can they promote their believes onto other people.
94830
I beleive people are trying to find some sort of excuse for everything they do in life, and it is always easy to find some excuse or to blame somebody else. For me, it is really annoying when people put religion in everything they do, regardless of the religion.