Why so sensitive?

[Syd the Human]

I have observed that religious people get really upset at even the smallest of things that criticize their religion. Or, when someone flat out makes fun of it.

When I was a Christian, I did hear such things of my faith. I was not happy about what was said, but I didn't get so upset about it, just felt a little sad. And then I moved on.

So, why do you get so upset when it happens? Why does another person's thoughts and feelings have so much impact on your faith?

 

[Deidre32]

When I was a Christian, I sometimes felt offended but typically only in terms of others mocking the faith. Like i didn't mind disagreements or non believers wishing to debate me. I think some of it was due to the fact that my religion was a large part of my identity, and maybe it felt like they were mocking me, also.

But looking back, as a believer, I didn't like seeing Jesus mocked because I had thought he died for even those who mocked him. It made me sad at that time. Now, we should be able to have healthy debates without having to walk on eggshells, I think? I hope?

Now an atheist, I wouldn't mock anyone's religion because of how I once viewed it.

Can't speak for anyone here but that's how I once viewed it.

 

[Deidre32]

In fairness, I've seen atheists get riled up, too. lol

 

[variant]

I think some of it was due to the fact that my religion was a large part of my identity, and maybe it felt like they were mocking me, also.

That is how I explain it when people ask me.

That to question someones deeply held beliefs you also question their identity, so it is often difficult to do this effectively without the conversation becoming heated or emotional.

 

[Syd the Human]

In fairness, I've seen atheists get riled up, too. lol

True, this goes both ways. It's just that I've witnessed it more from religious people.

 

[quatona]

True, this goes both ways. It's just that I've witnessed it more from religious people.

To me, that´s not surprising:
You don´t have any emotional involvement concerning stuff you don´t believe in.

 

[variant]

To me, that´s not surprising:
You don´t have any emotional involvement concerning stuff you don´t believe in.

Don't we? I think it's quite possible to become invested in any world view.

 

[Deidre32]

I will say that at times, I'm offended on behalf of atheists everywhere when religious people in general, broad brush atheists as being immoral or lacking values, etc..

It couldn't be further from the truth. But I will say I was more sensitive to certain "debates" as a Christian than I am now, as an atheist. But religious people just like atheists, are quite capable of offending others. It's part of the human condition, perhaps. Lol

 

[Deidre32]

That is how I explain it when people ask me.

That to question someones deeply held beliefs you also question their identity, so it is often difficult to do this effectively without the conversation becoming heated or emotional.

Yes, so true. Ah, if we could somehow shut off our emotions so as to debate without all the drama at times right?

 

[variant]

Yes, so true. Ah, if we could somehow shut off our emotions so as to debate without all the drama at times right?

I've been told I do this very well in person.

On line I tend to be a bit more frank and get on peoples nerves more.

 

[Paradoxum]

I don't remember getting too annoyed with atheists when I was a Christian. I understood that they genuinely didn't believe in God, and so thought we were talking to an imaginary Zeus. Some Christians seem to have a real problem with accepting that others genuinely disagree with them.

I also never considered mocking to be an insult to God. God knew they were just ignorant... it's not their fault they don't believe. It doesn't make sense for God to get annoyed at humans. Humans mocking God would be infantile to God.

If I do get more annoyed now by some Christians, it's probably because when I was Christian I knew God has it under control, so the salvation of souls was in some sense taken care of. But as an atheist, the sooner the correct opinion wins, the better... and it may not necessarily even win.

Also, while the false opinion holds power, that opinion will violate, oppress and repress people, and that's a real problem. Whereas as a Christian, God had it under control, so it wasn't my problem so much.

 

[Ice Queen]

There are instances where I am deeply offended by actions or sayings by non-believers. I do defend my beliefs when I have to (through friendly debates or conversations), but I also understand that they have their own beliefs as well. Offended as I may be, I (try) to respect other people and what they believe, and not shove what I believe down their throats. I make my point known and be done with it.

As for other Christians, they might be desperate to help/save people, they probably feel an obligation to spread the word because they feel they have to, or maybe they are trying to convince themselves of their own beliefs. I wouldn't know, I'm not them (at least not to my knowledge)...

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I have observed that religious people get really upset at even the smallest of things that criticize their religion. Or, when someone flat out makes fun of it.

When I was a Christian, I did hear such things of my faith. I was not happy about what was said, but I didn't get so upset about it, just felt a little sad. And then I moved on.

So, why do you get so upset when it happens? Why does another person's thoughts and feelings have so much impact on your faith?

I'm not going to speak for Christians who reside outside of the USA, but of those who do reside within the USA, I will say something in response.

For American Christians, faith is more often an emotional experience rather than an intellectual journey. So...being that anti-intellectualism is a historically common occurrence in this country, Christians will often feel at a loss to defend the basic ideas of their faith, and they will likely experience a level of frustration in response to any kind of argumentation that seems to be especially acidic to their faith. And since Christians (in America) tend to see the lack of faith as a spiritual "death sentence," they will probably get testy, especially if they come to find out that their children, for whom countless hours have been spent in the attempt to raise, have been influenced by the "enemy."

For atheist, this is less the case because the whole "coming down" event from religion/faith is, typically, one of a rational nature, requiring countless hours of reading atheist websites and/or books. More often than not, their "anti-testimonies" relate how afraid they are to "come out" to their friends, family, and neighbors about their cognitive transition.

So, yes, Christians are probably going to approach persons of opposition with a bit of emotional heat.

 

[quatona]

Don't we? I think it's quite possible to become invested in any world view.

Oh sure. If it were for my worldview I am invested and might become sensitive to certain ways of critique. But atheism isn´t a/my worldview.

 

[PsychoSarah]

There are instances where I am deeply offended by actions or sayings by non-believers. I do defend my beliefs when I have to (through friendly debates or conversations), but I also understand that they have their own beliefs as well. Offended as I may be, I (try) to respect other people and what they believe, and not shove what I believe down their throats. I make my point known and be done with it.

As for other Christians, they might be desperate to help/save people, they probably feel an obligation to spread the word because they feel they have to, or maybe they are trying to convince themselves of their own beliefs. I wouldn't know, I'm not them (at least not to my knowledge)...

I wish it was so benign, it doesn't exactly encourage me to turn to god when people scream "you are going to hell" and throw stuff at me. However, whenever I see an atheist or a group of them ganging up really badly on a theist and it is getting abusive (in my view), I try to dissipate the situation. I don't like it when people attack the idea of religion as opposed to the very specific funny details that every view has, even atheism has its quirks you can poke fun at.

 

[Ice Queen]

I wish it was so benign, it doesn't exactly encourage me to turn to god when people scream "you are going to hell" and throw stuff at me. However, whenever I see an atheist or a group of them ganging up really badly on a theist and it is getting abusive (in my view), I try to dissipate the situation. I don't like it when people attack the idea of religion as opposed to the very specific funny details that every view has, even atheism has its quirks you can poke fun at.

I agree! If it gets agressive (and I may be foolhardy), I will dive in. I just try in the process not to make a fool of myself, or make Christianity look bad.

 

[Gadarene]

I don't remember getting too annoyed with atheists when I was a Christian. I understood that they genuinely didn't believe in God, and so thought we were talking to an imaginary Zeus. Some Christians seem to have a real problem with accepting that others genuinely disagree with them.

I also never considered mocking to be an insult to God. God knew they were just ignorant... it's not their fault they don't believe. It doesn't make sense for God to get annoyed at humans. Humans mocking God would be infantile to God.

I think atheists never bothered me when I was a Christian, but for slightly patronising "they don't know any better" reasons.

If I do get more annoyed now by some Christians, it's probably because when I was Christian I knew God has it under control, so the salvation of souls was in some sense taken care of. But as an atheist, the sooner the correct opinion wins, the better... and it may not necessarily even win.

Also, while the false opinion holds power, that opinion will violate, oppress and repress people, and that's a real problem. Whereas as a Christian, God had it under control, so it wasn't my problem so much.

What annoyed me more was Christians who felt the need to engage in I'm-a-Christian-and-you're-not oneupmanship. I'll still be quite harsh towards Christians I see here (or elsewhere) engaging in the same behaviour towards other Christians.

 

[Gadarene]

I'm not going to speak for Christians who reside outside of the USA, but of those who do reside within the USA, I will say something in response.

For American Christians, faith is more often an emotional experience rather than an intellectual journey. So...being that anti-intellectualism is a historically common occurrence in this country, Christians will often feel at a loss to defend the basic ideas of their faith, and they will likely experience a level of frustration in response to any kind of argumentation that seems to be especially acidic to their faith. And since Christians (in America) tend to see the lack of faith as a spiritual "death sentence," they will probably get testy, especially if they come to find out that their children, for whom countless hours have been spent in the attempt to raise, have been influenced by the "enemy."

For atheist, this is less the case because the whole "coming down" event from religion/faith is, typically, one of a rational nature, requiring countless hours of reading atheist websites and/or books. More often than not, their "anti-testimonies" relate how afraid they are to "come out" to their friends, family, and neighbors about their cognitive transition.

So, yes, Christians are probably going to approach persons of opposition with a bit of emotional heat.

From a memetics point of view, it is quite a handy defence. Some atheists won't cross the line of challenging someone's personal experience or sense of relationship with Christ.

That is not to say it can't be done, it's just that the personalising of the idea makes the one critiquing it look like more of a jerk.

 

[Senator Cheese]

Even when I was atheist (or "agnostic atheist"), I tended to have a huge problem with some "jokes" (even more so than I do now). It's not the jokes (as an avid South Park fan, I would be sitting in a glass house). It's most certainly not the "disagreeing" part either (I love a good discussion).

The only thing that really makes me tick is when people act arrogant in their supposed "knowledge". I remember having a discussion with a friend (I was atheist at the time) who said he was very surprised to see that there are many faithful at the university. He said it in a tone that clearly implied that the faithful were obviously fools to believe in something higher than them. That I hate.

I am no Creationist. I think I would consider myself to be far from anything even remotely close to that line of thought, but I hate it when people "look down" on their opinion - especially when the individual in question is pretty bright and obviously informed on the subject matter.
The same goes for those who "look down" on people who reject the idea that Global Warming is man-made.
Or generally on those who doubt the veracity of some scientific evidence - even though as anyone who's worked in research knows, doubting the validity of any paper is a great mentality if you want to really get somewhere.

Sure, I'd probably hate it the same if a man of faith would say "those silly agnostics, aren't they dumb", but I've never seen anyone honestly think that. The closest I've gotten is someone feeling sorry for an atheist, but that didn't anger me because the intentions seemed to be of a good nature.

 

[PsychoSarah]

Even when I was atheist (or "agnostic atheist"), I tended to have a huge problem with some "jokes" (even more so than I do now). It's not the jokes (as an avid South Park fan, I would be sitting in a glass house). It's most certainly not the "disagreeing" part either (I love a good discussion).

The only thing that really makes me tick is when people act arrogant in their supposed "knowledge". I remember having a discussion with a friend (I was atheist at the time) who said he was very surprised to see that there are many faithful at the university. He said it in a tone that clearly implied that the faithful were obviously fools to believe in something higher than them. That I hate.

I am no Creationist. I think I would consider myself to be far from anything even remotely close to that line of thought, but I hate it when people "look down" on their opinion - especially when the individual in question is pretty bright and obviously informed on the subject matter.
The same goes for those who "look down" on people who reject the idea that Global Warming is man-made.
Or generally on those who doubt the veracity of some scientific evidence - even though as anyone who's worked in research knows, doubting the validity of any paper is a great mentality if you want to really get somewhere.

Sure, I'd probably hate it the same if a man of faith would say "those silly agnostics, aren't they dumb", but I've never seen anyone honestly think that. The closest I've gotten is someone feeling sorry for an atheist, but that didn't anger me because the intentions seemed to be of a good nature.

Really, you have never seen someone call atheists dumb? How have you been on this site and not seen that? Gosh, look up "atheists are stupid" on YouTube and you will get tons upon tons of videos of it, just like you would if you typed in "Christians are stupid" or any group for that matter. There are haters for everything.