Why is the subject of religion is often a contentious area for discussion?

1. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   Why is the subject of religion is often a contentious area for discussion?

   replyreport
2. 61

   SocraticMethodposted 11 years ago

   The contentiousness comes from the differing views and convictions the devoted have toward their views. Religion, in general, is not synonymous with tolerance of ways that differ from their often closed system. From my experience the debate about the nature of belief is often the bone of contention. If one can accept the divine or not...the believer sees truth and the non believer sees truth. Thus, an open dialogue is helpful free of polemics and closed positions that end the conversation quickly, but that is often rare since suppleness of mind is not promoted by most cultures.

   replyreport
3. 70

   FISposted 11 years ago

   SocraticMethod gets it right... but let me try phrasing it another way: most religions claim that there is only one way to the truth.. their way. People who believe that, can't admit that someone else's religion could possibly be right.. but.. people are offended and have their feeling hurt when they are told that they are wrong... and.. if their religion too says that it's the only way... they feel justified in that feeling. So... when people believe that they are absolutely correct  and everyone else is absolutely wrong.. and their are hurt feelings.. there is going to be conflict.

   replyreport
4. 60

   Kiss andTalesposted 11 years ago

   This is true ,people of all cultures and backgrounds have this inner desire to worship, a hunger to give praise and honor, who they fill deserves it , but there is another issue ,do every gift of praise is accepted just because we give it, think able gave his gift of worship ,and Cain gave his , who's gift God accepted ,Ables! God has not changed! People do!

   replyreport
5. 61

   mismazdaposted 11 years ago

   I believe because MANY value, and think that their religion choices is what others should only live by, and if they are not on the same page with religion, people seem to get upset with each other. I do have a religious preference, however I am open to hear what other people's preferences are, but that does not mean I will have to agree with them or change my own religious choice, but like I say some people are not even open to hear about other religions except their own...

   replyreport
6. 57

   kdawsonposted 11 years ago

   Because religion separates people.  I'm not going to say if this is the nature of religion or a human trait (probably both) but religious loyalty has cause much of man's troubles over the years.

   replyreport
7. 82

   zsobigposted 11 years ago

   It is not just religion, it is basically everything in what two people's ideas can differ. But it is true, that religion was and will always be a contentious area. In my opinion the reason for this is the fact that most religions only accept their 'special' way of truth and they more or less dislike those people who think else. People do not like to accept if they are wrong or there is another, better/more accurate idea apart from theirs.

   replyreport
8. 59

   NourRifaiposted 11 years ago

   Cz religion is not just anything .. its something beyond this world as we see .. u live ur life 4 hw much 80 or 90 years ? but ur choice in the religion will define ur forever life

   replyreport
9. 87

   btrbellposted 11 years ago

   I believe that many religions are oppositional with beliefs that cannot reconcile with one another. That would be the main reason for avoiding discussing religion. Another reason is that it is something most of us are passionate about, We either want to share our passion with the world or keep it to ourselves to avoid unpleasantness. A third reason could be that religion to some, is not tangible. It is harder to argue things that cannot always be seen or proven.

   replyreport
   1. 93

      ThelmaCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I couldn't have said it better.  I agree with you 100%.

      replyreport
10. 60

    robesposted 11 years ago

    The subject of religion is going to always be a contentious area for discussion because people have different out looks. Some people are very hardcore about their faith and believe theirs is the only reasonable truth. Therefore discussion, or arguments rather, are going to continue to occur. In another outlook however, it's a big discussion because it reality no one TRULY knows the truth. It's one of human kinds biggest mysteries.

    replyreport
11. 73

    Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

    Religion is a core belief, an idea that is so important to some people that it is the foundation of their reality.  No one wants to feel that the world that they have know all their life since childhood is not real.  This is the reason that people get so passionate. 
    
    I think it should be simple Life is real Physical Death is real. All other things are faith and belief. This could be applied to all the religions.
    Best wishes.

    replyreport
12. 81

    pstraubie48posted 11 years ago

    It is often a contentious area for discussion because it is a very emotional issue. Those who hold precepts of their particular religion as sacred feel assaulted or violated when someone challenges those beliefs. Whether that is right or wrong is not the point. It just happens.
    Some people have adopted and believe that their take on religion or non-religion is the only correct one. That leaves no wiggle room. No way to meet in the middle.
    Often those who feel this way agree to disagree or end of at polar opposites on the topic not even able to have a civil conversation. What that says about their religious views could open a whole new debate.

    replyreport