Why are discussions about religious beliefs always so adversarial? [View all]

[MineralMan]

Some people have such beliefs. Others don't. Some people adhere to one religious group. Others adhere to others. Some have no religious beliefs at all. Why, I wonder, do we care?

I'm one of those who has no religious beliefs. I call myself an atheist, because that's what the term means. I know many people who have some sort of religious beliefs. They're welcome to them, but I would rather they didn't try to convince me I need the same beliefs.

Some people think that their religious beliefs are superior to other people's religious beliefs. They often seem eager to explain why other people's religious beliefs are incorrect. And yet, the same people rarely seek to actually examine the beliefs of others. How can they be sure their beliefs are the correct ones, if they have not examined the others?

Normally, I don't inquire into people's religious beliefs. And yet, they often seek to tell me about them. When they do, I may ask questions about those beliefs, particularly when they make little sense to me. But, when I do, often umbrage is taken from my questions. That's puzzling. Do they not truly want to explain their religion to me? Or are my questions somehow troubling to them?

Occasionally, someone will tell me how bad someone else's religious beliefs are. They will tell me that the other person's beliefs are false and violent or are somehow noxious. Sometimes I ask why they feel that way. Again, it soon becomes clear that no attempt has been made to actually understand the other person's beliefs. I find that odd.

Religion appears to be important to the majority of people, so it's of interest to me. I like to ask questions. My questions are not attacks on others' religious beliefs. They are questions to which I desire answers. If someone doesn't have the answers, they can say they do not know, and I will understand that I cannot expect answers from that person who doesn't know.

In the meantime, I do not believe that anything supernatural exists, nor do supernatural entities or gods. I am unable to believe such things. If you ask me questions, I will only be able to repeat that I am unable to believe such things. I cannot help you further in that regard. But, I am interested in your beliefs. I might ask questions about them. Sometimes, the questions might be difficult. Difficult questions, though, are not attacks. They are just questions. You don't have to answer them. Just say, I do not know, and I won't bother you further on that particular point.