Why do people both religious and irreligous have an agenda, and have to answer every question about themselves
536670
Maybe apathy.  Maybe defensiveness.  Maybe too many questions.\n\nI tried to answer some guy's question the other day and he got upset that I didn't answer yes or no.\n\nWell, his initial question was not a yes or no question and there were at least 3 questions he was asking at once.  If you ask too many questions, people are generally going to pick either the first or the last thing you said.\n\n(Case in point, read my question here:  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlYHfr9enEYxTaAQOGFw.9_sy6IX?qid=1006051030349 and then read some of my answers.  It is a highly specific question.  I think I have asked it in a logical progression.  But it's too much information.  People either didn't read all the way to the bottom or it's just more work than they want to put into an answer.  At least two of them gave me the exact answer I asked them to avoid.  It's too many questions.)\n\nIn his case, I actually did address the two questions at the end of his litany.  But it seemed silly to me to answer those first when they were asked last.  Sometimes the question isn't that great.\n\nAs for answering based on opinion or agenda, we only know first hand what our experiences are and what our interpretations are.  I don't know if we are fully capable of answering anything in a completely unbiased way.  Do people go too far and become unwilling to see anyone else's side?  Sure.  But if they perceive the question as "where do you stand?" of course they're going to tell you.  Or if someone asserts their way is the only way, someone is going to feel compelled to point out all the other ways. \n\nSometimes the questions are not questions at all.  Loaded questions are generally statements with a question mark tacked on at the end.  People who ask them, don't really want to know, but people feel compelled to answer them anyway, because they are generally based on what one group  considers to be untrue.\n\nThe higher the stakes or the contention, the more divided people become.  And this is the division as far as I can see:\n\nAtheist's statement:  "you are stupid if you believe in mythology and any belief in God or anyone higher than ourselves is the equivalent of belief in the Easter bunny," or "Christians are too ignorant to understand science and if they were just smarter, they would see that there is no need for God."\n\nChristians' statement:  "your life would be better if you accepted Jesus as your Savior", or "if you don't see the error of your ways, you are going to hell."\n\nI've not been paying enough attention to the other views (agnostics, pagans, wiccans, Jews, Muslims, etc) to voice their "side."  But you get the idea.\n\nI think part of the problem between Theists and atheists is that if science is wielded by the party who is trying to overthrow God, science necessarily cannot be neutral ground.  Theology is not neutral ground.  \n\nI'm not saying that science is the enemy, but it can't answer everything.  Since it is used by atheists to discredit God, it cannot be considered neutral.\n\nSo were do we meet to talk things out?  What could we decide is neutral?
160670
Because they are mindless drones.  My roomate always talks about how he was raised in a "Good Christian Family", yet he can't even brush his teeth, shower or clean up after himself.  Most of them  just regurgitate was has been beaten into thier heads since childhood.  They don't even know anything about spirituality or faith.  Most very religious people I know are incredibly closed-minded.  I know one Christian who believes that dinosaur bones are fake, and that they were planted.  I'll never involve myself with any organized religion.  It's all the same crap anyway, and they wage war over it.  Also, most religions are hateful towards women.
964073
I came to this conclusion about politics and religious types a few years ago and I will share this with you now ok...\n  Religious people feel the need to believe there is a greater force out there so that they think their lives have meaning. They have a Bible, they follow the Bible, they think that if they do not do exactly as the Bible says they will not go to heaven. Part of the Bible is to spread the word of God to as many people as possible. Part of the Bible is also that mankind has freewill to make their own choices and do as it pleases. \n\n      So the problem I have with religious zealots is that they remember the first and forget the second. \nWhy would someone want to join a religion where you come across sounding like a half baked loon to anyone you talk to about God?\n Wouldnt it be better to be loving and accepting of everyone and happy with yourself to the point where people ask you wow why are you so happy what are you doing right with your life? Rather than trying to cram it down our throats and legislate morality.\n Teach through example, be a good kind tolerant person who respects peoples wishes.  Uh there is more to is, but yeah Jesus would most definately be a liberal.
276714
Probably something to do with religion, christ etc. There are an awful lot of religious wackos out there.
722115
well..first of all its important to remember religion IS a VERY sensitive and personal matter to talk about and discuss. so i guess it only natural for people to be defensive about it. not only for christian, but for any religion and believes.\nthat's why i think we should be really careful and sensitive in posing Q and A in this topic. Especially if its not about yours. \nin critical matter...guess its just part of our curiosity towards the whole thing. sort of our way to understand and  find believe, by relating it to the facts an evidences .and i strongly believe no one have the right to be rude about it!
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.
1008540
No offense.. but this reminds me of the reason that people thinks that we are pushy freaks...\n\nI mean... I am a Christian... My father is a pastor... but I know that you are opening a can of worms by putting this question on here... \n\nThere are WAAAYYYY too many Athiest with too much time on their hands that LIVE on yahoo answers... \n\nGuarantee they'll say something stupid about this... i.e.  Have an open mind... or freedom of religion... or... that's your opinion not mine... or if your God's so great than why........... blah blah blah... \n\nGood Luck... \n\nThey will see but not SEE... \nThey will hear but not HEAR...
341558
Seems to me that you also believe something blindly and narrowly... that you are right. Isn't that the real problem? That most people have deeply felt beliefs and believe they are right, and have a hard time tolerating others with different views? Your opinion and decisions about religions, our origins, and so on are valid, but so are mine. You speak of religious people being narrow minded, and refer to people like yourself as broad-minded. But, isn't it narrow minded to label any one group of people? You are saying that you don't like having a religious person's views imposed on you. But, in the same breath, you impose your beliefs on us, and label "anyone believing" as unfulfilled, and unintelligent. How exactly does that make sense? Since the group you are speaking of (religious people) is a group I belong to, perhaps I should enlighten you by letting you know that I'm not imposing my beliefs on anyone. I'm am quite ready to talk to those who would listen or have questions, and I am quite ready to listen to others. Do I believe blindly and narrowly? Well, if I didn't believe 100% in my God, that would make me a hypocrite who is wasting my time. If that says to you that I am either blind or narrow, then so be it. But you might consider that our time on earth may be better spent discussing issues without judgment - oh, but wait, Jesus told us not to judge, so I guess that won't work, huh?
404758
People get enthusiastic about talking about their faith, or talking about an issue that seems to involve their set of beliefs. It just so happens God is a hot topic, espeically on these boards. Part of the problem may be (and i have to admit i dont know what your questions were) no feels they know enough to answer your questions. Much like most people on here id imagine, i try and answer questions that i think i can have some benefit to the asker. If your questions were either too specific or about an area no one felt comfortable answering (other than the wiki paste) then that might be why.
1069619
Your observation is correct.  Religion is such a hot issue or topic that strikes a raw nerve in many.  Perhaps, it is because people fear of what they don't know.\n\nIt depends on your perspective and also on the perspective of those who post and answer questions on this thread of Religion and Spirituality.  \n\nThis may both test us and them.  As for me, I learn from the questions and answers that others post.  There are many who really don't understand the Bible and a lot more who don't even visit any church.  They ask people they don't know at Yahoo Answer because it is a forum of ideas, where you usually can't even get in any church.  Don't mind those picking a fight.  Don't be angry, since you don't know them anyway.  Let it be a learning experience for you regarding what makes others tick, why some think so and others believe another.\n\nI do find that the others post plain questions that have been bothering them.  So I may answer a question or two based on what I've learned so far; but I don't shove it on their throat.  Just an exchange of ideas.  No "I-know-it-all" or "I'm-right-you're-wrong" attitude.\n\nJust remember to treat everyone with respect, even when a little bite is necessary.
766550
There is controversy because no religion agrees with any other one, and everyone thinks only theirs is right. Religion is an intensely personal thing, so if you were to discover yours is wrong, then you are wrong to the core and everything you've believed in has been a waste of time. That's hard to take, so people defend their religions the best they can and try to make the OTHER religions look wrong, which translates to prejudice, quarreling, and becoming barbaric.
951886
probably religion & spirituality, people get really fiesty if you don't agree with them
1049054
I think that not only do they have a high ego, but can actually be dangerous to society.  I believe in God, but I disbelieve in organized religion.  I believe that our hearts are the temples we worship God in.  Basically, any small group of people who get together to make decisions for a large group of people make me uneasy.  If you back one of those fundamentalists into a corner and ask the hard questions like "Why did my Mom die of cancer?" or "Why did my little boy get hit by a car?"....you're going to get "It's God's will"  or  "the Lord works in mysterious ways".  The truth is, they don't know.  But they DO know that God wants you to vote Republican, and He's against raising taxes but He's for the defense, and even though it's one of His creations, He desperately hates marijuana.   Personally, they just make me nervous.
754104
That's an excellent question. I won't be a hypocrite about it, though. I've been guilty of it myself from time to time, but there are some repeat offenders here. It seems that the Politics and the Religion & Spirituality sections draw more of this sort of behavior than any of the others. I guess it's because they are both such personal topics and it's easy to hit a nerve when you discuss them.
809831
I am very open to having logical, intelligent conversations, and even debates, with people that respect MY belief as well.\n\nI respect people's right to believe what they want, and have no problems with it until they begin condemning, name-calling, or just being outright rude (the whole sit down and shut up comment from my brother/sister would get a good butt-kicking...).\n\nIt is sad and disturbing that SOME Christians find it easier to just hate everyone who is different from themselves then to actually LEARN something new.  Ask questions, discuss thoughts...etc.  It's not hard, but I think that they are intolerant of difference.\n\nOn top of that, I feel that they fear challenges.  They may not be secure enough in their faith to understand others, as well as defend theirs when the going gets tough.  Again, this is not all Christians, just the ones who feel we are attacking them by our very existance.\n\nI think it will be a cold day in their hell before they ALL respect us COMPLETELY.  All we can do is continue smiling and be the better person.  We are strong enough in our non-beliefs to continue on with our lives without hating people for their choices.  They are the ones that, according to them, have to live with their choices in the "afterlife".
722668
It's not so much the religions as it is the politics of the religion. Having faith is just having a belief - it's the religious DOGMA (telling you how to live, etc.) thay causes the problems. Why everyone wants to think that everyone else should believe in their particular brand of faith is beyond me. Why can't we all just get along. Different strokes for different folks, is what I say.
972403
Maybe because Spirituality and Religion are not meant to be together?  Looks like "religious" folk are not so open to other people opinion while "spiritual" people are willing to talk to anyone.