Why do we have prejudice towards others, and yet practice religion?
542096
Because we are not perfect, we are imperfect human beings. Salvation doesn't make you perfect, but it does save you from eternity in hell. Salvation is also a process, you don't change over night. Everyone in this life has hardships to endure, it's just Christians ( I'm assuming that's who you are discussing, and that is what I am so I can't speak for anyone else ) have someone who will never leave or forsake them. And not every Christian knows how to lean. Having a relationship with GOD is just like any other, it takes time and effort to get to know HIM ( HE already knows you ). We all stumble and fall short of the Glory of GOD, but HIS mercies are new every morning.
447913
I've often asked the same question. I suppose religion feeds our sense of spirituality and gives us "answers" to what happens to us after we die. But I think religion has caused, and will continue to cause, wars and other trouble. People should try setting aside their differences in religion and just work together. Besides, I think that religion is personal. It's what you personally believe. And atheists don't cause hatred, the term simply means they do not believe in any god whatsoever, that when you die, that's it. And I dislike those who always try to convert others. Just let people make up their own idea.
775847
but but ... you list social woes while most religious folks clutch onto religion as a personal life raft.  whatever heinous actions are made in the name of their religion matters not.  it's the personal comfort they get from believing they're safe from their deity's wrath and the feeling of being special and a part of something bigger than themselves that cements their dependence on their religion. besides, the woes of the world created by religion are always blamed on an Evil One and evil doers.
198067
Religion (or lack thereof) is just one of the tried & true methods we've adopted to distinguish one group of people from another. Operating from a premise of "they're different from us":  What usually happens is that an adverserial dynamic is established.  Rather than a cause for celebration, the dynamic generally breeds Fear, contempt, and anger.  It's no different from any of the other (too) often accepted & nurtured forms of bigotry; Racism, Classism, Sexism, etc.\n\nYou'll likely find, in your own life with yourself, that you're unhappy & angry when you deny yourself to Your-self. (There's a lot of selfs in a row)  \n\nSimilarly, when one person denies another her/his autonomy or individualism... a predictable reaction of the person denied is some mix of Anger & Unhappiness. Actually, as I think about it, the anger & unhappiness is usually coming from both sides of the fence at the same time, as each continue to deny the validity of the other's self-determined-ness.\n\nSo, non religious people experience anger & hostility when engaging religious.  Religious people experience anger & hostility when engaging non-religious.  In fact, any group which operates from a premise which sets itself apart from another will more often than not encounter some manifestation of Fear (Anger, hostility, "better than thou art-ness") when engaging the other.  That's why there's so much tention & hostility between relgions, as well. \n\nIt's so predictable that governements train their soldiers to "attempt to connect with your captives" when teaching them to survive being captured during war.  The observation, simply stated, is that it's less likely people will torture you when they realize you are the same as they are.  And the training, when successfully employed, works...\n\nWhere religion is concerned; you'll likely encounter less hostility when speaking with people who, though of differing belief systems, accept some form of the premise that we are all One...  even if each is following a different path to enlightenment/God/whathaveyou.  It's more than just "tolerance"... it's true "acceptance".   When we accept others as they are, and they, in turn, accept us... there's no-thing to fight about.
993612
Why is it that you have to question others beliefs?
460863
Everyone thinks that their beliefs are right. We need to have respect for eachothers' beliefs because if somebody insults your religion, how would you feel? Wars have broken out amongst us because of religion. It is all caused by a feeling each human has, that they, and only they, are right. We should overcome these feelings and respect other people's beliefs. When we do this, we truly become a kind and encouraging person.
473084
I never criticize other religions. I think it's insulting to do that. I don't even discuss my religion unless someone asks about it. I believe that people have the right to practice any religion as long as they are not hurting others by doing so. I also believe that too many "religious" people are intolerant of what others believe.
1152961
religion inherently breeds bigotry. people see themselves as better than others when they become religious. once they see themselves better they tend to hide behind their religion like a small kids hides behind a bully and throws insults out at people. \n\nreligion separates people, then rreligion tells those people they are the chosen ones and everyone else is either an infisel, an unbeleiver or worse...evil...then you get your holy wars, your crusades, your inquisitions and your george bushs'.\n\nreligion is a plague. it infects the mids of usually intelligent people.
969325
Not necessarily.  Anyone can be prejudiced.  We all have areas of life that we don't know much about.  We all make assumptions that might turn out to be wrong.\n\nIn life, we all make up our own minds.  We choose what we believe is right and wrong.  We find there are leaders and experts we generally agree with, and others we don't agree with as often.\n\nBut I do find that I learn more from listening to people I disagree with, than people I agree with.\n\nRikki
902338
It is in the human's nature to fear what they don't understand. It is lack of exposure to differences and an ignorant attitude that create fear. Religions can foster this ignorance, yes.
9464
I think this particular problem concerning religion stems from the fact that religion asks us to have faith in something that we cannot prove exists while at the same time promising that this thing we cannot prove exists answers all of the questions of existence.  Therefore, we want to believe in it because we want the answers to all of existence (including the meanings of our own lives) but because we cannot prove it by any scientific test yet devised, we have to wonder (maybe secretly) whether or not we have chosen the "right" religion.  When someone comes along who challenges the foundations of our religious beliefs, one of our first reactions is fear (understandably), because if they're "right" it means that we've been "wrong" all of this time and everything on which we have built our universe frame of reference (our sense of identity and where we fit into the Grand Scheme of Things) will have to be rebuilt on a new foundation.  It's fear of being wrong about something so personal that causes us to get cranky about religion.\n\nI've found that the most helpful way to approach religion is to recognize that every single person on this planet has their own unique point of view about the universe, and so no two people will ever agree fully on what it means to be here.  The best we can do is to agree that we are here now, whether by the hand of God or through mere chance, and we can only ease our existence by recognizing the truth in other points of view.
389835
Because we are not about judging others beliefs and religions. We even pratice alot of other religions not just one. I also believe that god, he/she is way too big, he/she is in about every religion there is, maybe different intents and different paths.. but all really leads to same god/goddess's. I dont believe in "evil" or a right or wrong way to anyones path. Everything we do and everything we learn is definetly a lesson being learned and taught in most religions and beliefs. I dont believe in judging anyone because god, he/she does not judge anyone, we do enough of that ourselves.
789470
Well people are screwed up so even if we all had the same religion we would criticize the way the people around us are practicing. People need something in there life to fight against so if we all had the same religion i think we would be a bit more peaceful but we would live like we were in tribes separated from other people that practice are religion a different way
595694
Because there are many ignorant people out there who let one incident decide their judgement about a religion.  There are also some narrow minded people who feel that their religion is what everyone should be.
652223
The more eccentric a religion is the more they need to "push" it onto others.  If you feel that you are constantly being "convinced" about religion, maybe it is time to revisit your faith.
577175
Being one of the oldest religions in the world I have never seen why we are hated.  Once the human race can expect that we have different religions and believes and honer that we will all get along better
328177
Those types  do it because they are afraid of anyone who is different than them.  In the end, they are more fanatical than religious.  \n\nTruly religious people look for the good in everyone and strive to live by the guidelines of their religion in a positive and wholesome way.  They may not approve, and in acting on that, they are trying to guide a person into a more positive way of life.  But they don't ostracize or judge.  As you said, it is God's place to be the ultimate judge.  \n\nIt isn't just religious people that judge though.  I have found that more and more people are liable to make snap judgements about people - causing them to act like gossipy high schoolers.  The best thing to do is to avoid people like that and those you mentionned and surround yourself with people who love and care about you.  Good luck with whatever you are being judged on.