how to respond to a religious fanatic

Make believers read about nonbelief before youll listen to them. Do you honestly think your relatives religious views are going to succeed in indoctrinating your child. (As if they would anyway!) Why are we non-theists so outraged, indignant and disgusted when we learn new things about religion? Learn More. If, on the other hand, we wish to tackle the causes of terrorism, the only conventional means to do this would be to reduce the fear and insecurity resulting from the process of modernity. For parents, this is an area that weighs especially heavily. How Religious Fundamentalism Hijacks the Brain No wonder so many of us fall off the wagon. Confront their bullshit by saying how rude their behavior is and if they don't stop, walk away. gives several features which are associated with religious fanaticism or extremism: Ever since Christianity was established, some of those in authority have sought to expand and control the church, often through the fanatical use of force. And when they cant (or shouldnt be) avoided, a thoughtful and respectful approach can help prevent a contentious situation. Why would the Abrahamic God, all-lovingand all-powerful, allow natural evils to tormentand kill people? I used to do this when I travelled long distances with my toddler. They kill innocent bystanders, sometimes by the thousands or millions. Having had an awakening to Reason as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to fanatics of all kinds, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Unless you can deliver to them the contact with the Holy Spirit/Great Life Force/Power of Almighty God that they so desire, against their will (for they will deny their isolation from it), you will not be able to convince them. Construction and Validation of the Religious Fanaticism Scale in PR I sat there quietly without bowing my head or closing my eyes. If youre in a room full of believers, think carefully before steering the conversation towards your lack of belief. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. make no such allegation about the Crusaders in Jerusalem. If he insists, walk away. By using our site, you agree to our. Instead, they believe their failure to receive any divine experience is because God has rejected them. You in turn can invite them to a gathering of others like you. Dont Panic! The start of Christian fanatic rule came with the Roman Emperor Constantine I. Ellens says, "When Christianity came to power in the empire of Constantine, it proceeded to almost viciously repress all non-Christians and all Christians who did not line up with official Orthodox ideology, policy, and practice". Some of us are facing relatives who are heartbroken about our lack of faith incredulous, fearful, maybe even angry. . Its not your fault, but it is your responsibility to kick it. Lets move on. (For semantic precision by "fundamentalist" I mean a person favouring strict observance of their own religious doctrine to the exclusion of all other sources of moral guidance. but I'm allowed to give the answer I want to give." "I'm all for . Dont ask questions that are purposely leading and antagonistic. Genocide or Jesus: A God of Conquest or Pacifism? As always, there is a balance to be struck. Grace was said at the start of some, "Praying in public. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Deal-with-Religious-People-if-You-Are-an-Atheist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Deal-with-Religious-People-if-You-Are-an-Atheist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Deal-with-Religious-People-if-You-Are-an-Atheist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid84557-v4-728px-Deal-with-Religious-People-if-You-Are-an-Atheist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. According to Dr. Winell, RTS is a combination of 'toxic theology' and . Fanatical Christian activity continued into the Middle Ages with the Crusades. Religionists often float God-of-the-gaps arguments, saying that evidence for God lies in the intersticesof our scientific understanding. Religious people and faitheistsmy term for nonbelievers who feel that religion is good for society as a wholehave been using a new strategy against atheists. To my own surprise, I eventually started hanging out with Uncle John at his apartment and no, he didnt invite the girls over to teach me anything. If the person invites you to a religious service, agree to go as a respectful observer.
10 Common Ways Christian Fanaticism is Obstructing American Progress Approaching religious loved ones adversarially is that part. Think of how youd like to be treated if the situation was reversed. Sought through inquiry, debate, conversation, curiosity, and doubt to improve our conscious contact with Reason seeking for better understanding of the human tension between what we want to believe and whats most likely to be true. "What part of Fuck You! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. And, since modern humans originated over 100,000 years ago, why did God wait 98,000 years before sending his son to redress our sinsand then to only a small portion of humanity within a hundred miles of Jerusalem? No one wants to expose kids to the family tension, or say something that will make the the tension even worse. I shall be focusing only on those with a religious or quasi-religious motivation. If you are an atheist, youll come across your share of religious people who are genuinely curious about and respectful of your perspective, even if they completely disagree with it. How to respond to an irrational argument of a religious fanatic - Quora More probably, you will make them more suspicious that you are in league with the Great Satan. I was confused how to handle it, as in my country it's dangerous to speak about it publicly. By fanatic, I refer to those fundamentalists who cast aside the moral constraints of their own doctrines for the betterment of their cause. Talk to your employer about it. I believe He can, Josh-ah, he said. Why is God in the Old Testament such a narcissistic bully, toying with people for his amusement, ordering genocides in which innocent women and children are killed. How can we end religious fanaticism around the world? - Fluther I tried to do something similar to this by responding with the "it's just what I believe" when I was asked why I'm an atheist. Often, we see religious exposure and treat it as religious invasion, or we hear words of faith and interpret them as acts of war.. Byrne, worried . It may seem trite to discuss sports or the weather at Thanksgiving dinner, but its probably preferable to a knock-down, drag-out fight over deeply-held religious beliefs. Selengut, Charles. This article helped me. Shaming the addict can make him dig in his heels. How do I Question a Religious Fanatic and Open Their Mind? A one on one is pointless since they're not going to regain their senses no matter what transpires. And if all else fails, do what most families do and find a third-party to vilify. [26] The word jihad in Arabic means 'struggle'. Reason is natures gift to humankind and to the humanitarian impulse. Religious Fanaticism: Asset or Debit? - RCNi Company Limited If, for instance, you are at Thanksgiving dinner and are asked to give some sort of blessing or say what you are thankful for, you can do so without invoking any god or religion. Some people have such strong beliefs that they try very hard to convince others that their way is the right and only way. Like good debaters, they aim to put us on the defensive, insisting that we deal with this or that Deep Theological Book (the latest must-read is David Bentley Harts The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss), or we answer this or that argument, or we read every sophisticated theologian in the history of Christianity. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. You should never allow yourself to be pressured into talking about anything you don't feel comfortable talking about. No one is exempt from the risk. In a situation like that I sometimes say that I am a Pantheist. Moran, Sen Farrell, "Patrick Pearse and Patriotic Soteriology," in Yonah Alexander and Alan O'Day, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 07:23. A believer in religion may be open and liberal and an,other assets of fanaticism, yet it may be doubted if the fanatic type of mind ever could do more than agitate. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! 10 pick. I have no idea why that didn't even cross my mind. Check out the websites for American Atheists, American Humanist Association, or similar groups in your area or nation. In the religious context, jihad most nearly means "working urgently for a certain godly objective, generally an imperialist one". [9] Contrary to what Shafer alleges, however, no eyewitness source refers to Crusaders killing native Christians in Jerusalem, and early Eastern Christian sources (Matthew of Edessa, Anna Comnena, Michael the Syrian, etc.) Don't blame yourself. ", "Another battle with Islam's 'true believers', "The Balance of Islam in Challenging Extremism", "Sayyid Qutb: Founder of Radical Islamic Political Ideology", "The Philosopher of the Muslim Revolt, Sayyid Qutb", "Conspiratorial Narratives in Violent Political Actors' Language", Journal of Language and Social Psychology, "Imam's Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad", Robert Irwin, "Is this the man who inspired Bin Laden? At the end of the day, we all look at the same moon. That was dispositive evidence for the supernaturaluntil Darwin explained it away in 1859 as the result of the purely naturalistic processes of evolution and natural selection. What is Christian fanaticism? | GotQuestions.org Do you believe Hes strong enough to carry you into the end zone? I asked. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Naw, Josh-ah. Falling in love with someone's musical taste, Expecting your wedding to be the happiest day of your life. Answer Fanaticism is typically defined as "excessive, irrational zeal." Fanaticism can develop within a variety of different traditions, but this does not mean these traditions are in their very nature fanatical. Steffen[who?] Consider the audience, and bring up topics that are likely to be of general interest. Far more dysfunctional families than your own have been saved simply by identifying a common enemy. Before we start, why dont you tell me what you know about it., If they dont know anything about atheism, or assume that it means you believe in nothing or are satanic in some way, dont criticize them for it. M. Hughes, G. Johnson (eds.). The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. The Reformation set off a chain of sectarian wars between the Catholics and the sectarian Protestants, culminating in the wars of religion. Everything2 is brought to you by Everything2 Media, LLC. For example, respond to the question, What religion are you? with I watch football every Sunday, but my mom says thats not a religion. Religious Fanaticism | SpringerLink Explain to your kids that people have all sorts of religious beliefs, and encourage them to explore and ask lots of questions. A less immediate danger might be anarchists with weird apocalyptic beliefs building up stores of weapons and ammunition in the Southern United States or in South Africa. Since you know what to expect, you should prepare a short list of rules that YOU must follow. Once they have finished their thought, thank them for their time. If you think of another point youd like to make, dont put yourself back into a bad situation. See that big chip on your shoulder? I once told someone I was a Cathode Follower. 'Sonic boom' is heard across central England as 'ground shakes' Use I statements. Only Jesus can do that. Finally, if the person refuses to stop insulting you or to attempt to understand your perspective better, reassess the friendship. Atheists Could Learn a Lot from Religious People About How to Win Debates, read every sophisticated theologian in the history of Christianity, God in the Age of Science: A Critique of Religious Reason, Faith vs. ", How to Deal with Religious People if You Are an Atheist, https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/02/jesus-is-ruining-my-love-life-is-religion-a-deal-breaker/252268/, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/05/7-facts-about-atheists/, http://americanhumanist.org/What_We_Do/Local_Groups, http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-communication.htm, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cui-bono/201211/are-i-statements-better-you-statements, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/between-you-and-me/201406/5-tips-avoiding-conflict-in-your-relationship, https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/how-talk-about-your-religious-beliefs-without-being-jerk/, https://newrepublic.com/article/117474/arguing-religious-people-turn-their-techniques-around, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mr-personality/201312/why-are-religious-people-generally-less-intelligent, Confrontarsi con Persone Religiose da Ateo. he Eagles hold the No. Bin Laden may not have looked like an anti-globalisation campaigner, but he shared with them a concern about the effects of unbridled capitalism. "People are never so completely and enthusiastically evil as when they act out of religious conviction.". So I propose that, when debating the religious, nonbelievers start using two tu quoque arguments. Religious sadists just want to see women suffer - Raw Story I am thankful that we can all be together now to enjoy it, and each others company.. Offer to recommend some key atheist works that speak to your point of view, and ask the person to consult them to facilitate your discussion. CWOTUS ( 26102) "Great Answer" ( 3 ) Flag as . However many Catholics see the crusades as a just war. Knock it off. ", "This was extremely helpful, I am a satanist, but I applied this to my view. And it worked! Top it all off with a Kalashnikov rifle held with both hands. [7] Encourage your children to listen and be respectful and that they have plenty of time to make up their own minds. Join us. Nearly all people who are highly religious say believing in God is essential to their religious identity (96% . And so they proceed to blame everyone and everything else in the world, save themselves. "I recently spent a number of meal times with my wife's (religious) family. Perhaps some day well know the answers. For that is precisely the answer they wont accept about the scientific puzzles, like the oft-touted mystery of consciousness that they use as evidence for God. ), By my shamelessly crude guesstimate, assuming no more than half the world is religious to start with, we only have to deal with, at most, three-hundred-and-twenty-five-million hardcore psychopaths prone to bomb-planting and plane hijacking, spread across the whole world. Thats why its called faith. Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver of North America But I also realized that we can turn the tables on these people. His eyes sparkled, he flashed a wide grin, and when I finished, he broke into a wheezy smokers laugh and said, Youre a good boy, Josh-ah., In the following years, I managed to alienate a handful of my coworkers I told one guy that his main problem was that he was evil; I strongly insinuated to a couple of others that they were going to hell; and I often yammered on about my faith with little regard for whether my coworkers were even listening. The one who has absolute faith in their God cannot fear anything, neither in life nor in death. Sprinkle a couple of ammunition belts hanging from both shoulders. Before you begin the conversation, ask if the person understands what an atheist is. Lon- Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Try shedding your armor before you walk in the door. A lot of my fanaticism was fueled by a fear that God didnt like me, that He was an angry, cosmic king who delighted in sending failing subjects into eternal torment. If you find it fun to discuss or debate religious beliefs, and can do so respectfully, then have at it. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. But thats not always the case. Try promising yourself you wont get annoyed until you hear X number of religious remarks or stories. "From the beginning men used God to justify the unjustifiable.". Try finding support online. You must understand the cause, and expose the effect.". Just be sure you think it through first, and that youve tried your best to make things work. Synonyms include extremist, radical, chauvinist, militant, bigot, sectarian, diehard, and dogmatist. Tell him that reading the bible turned you an atheist - too much bullshit. He asks me why and I say that it's just what I believe(I wasn't looking to get ino a discussion about it. All we can do is rest in His arms and let Him carry us into the end zone.. Before you point out how ridiculous this calculation is, realise it is only here to entertain.). Enjoy! How Psychologically Conditioned Rats Are Defusing Landmines, The Innate Intelligence Observed in the Dying Process. Fanaticism and Conflict in the Modern Age. Heres a rough draft for the 12 Steps of Fanatics Anonymous: Of course, the peculiar move here is replacing god with Reason, and more peculiar perhaps to repurpose the AA model for fanatics anonymous, what with AAs surrender to gods will, the most notorious excuse for fanaticism in fanaticisms long and sordid history. Such zealousness may result in severe problems for humanity at large. The absolute truths that fanatics latch onto might be religious or political, right-wing or left-wing, Christian or Islamic, libertarian or communist, new age spiritual or old-time religious. away from religious beliefs. This post originally appeared in February 2012. If they havent steeped themselves extensively in the honorable tradition of secularism, then they have no credibility as believers. For example, I am feeling attacked right now. Now I never thought of it like that, he said. In the meantime, the governments of the world are absolutely right to respond to fanatics who turn to terrorism with all necessary force. As Steffen says, though, "Jihad in these uses is always defensive. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

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