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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Making our society less materialistic, reducing poverty and the commercialisation of sex, would give fanatics less of a reason to hate the West, as well as being very desirable policies for their own sake. Well, youre that football, Uncle John, and Hes the quarterback. And if all else fails, do what most families do and find a third-party to vilify. but I'm allowed to give the answer I want to give." "I'm all for . Second, offer to have a conversation about your beliefs in an attempt to improve mutual understanding. No amount of polite declining is going to make them stop, no rebuttal will make them change their mind and give up religion. How can nonreligious types deal with religious relatives? For example, respond to the question, What religion are you? with I watch football every Sunday, but my mom says thats not a religion. If 3 or 4 nice ways of saying no don't work, then pull out all the stops. But before you start stacking up emergency supplies in your bio-shelters, realise that terrorists, the hated enemies of the world, are driven by the same instinct as those who hide from them, namely fear. Another prominent form of fanaticism according to some came a few centuries later with the Spanish Inquisition. But we can play the Gap Game, too. You know that God loves you no matter what youve done, right? I asked. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. Fear is a lack of faith. Why cant he keep kids from getting cancer, or stay the waves of tsunamis? ), 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. Rather than maintaining a balanced approach to Scripture and discipleship, he has gone off on a mental tangent and it has caused him to become restless in his heart and mind. Be thoughtful and respectful. And would a loving Godreally let someone burn foreverbecause they were Jews, or didnt get baptized? 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? If people were free to blow themselves up all over the place, society just . The greatest gap that ever adduced God was our inability to explain the presence of all the Earths species, and why they seemed so marvelously adapted to their environments. Ive been trying to find some new activities to do. This is likely to shift the conversation to jet-skiing, stamp collecting, volunteering at an animal shelter, etc. "You see our questioner came to us already sure of his cause. N.p., Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2021. People like that owe you nothing. Instead, quickly provide them with some basic information about atheism. The sad fact is that some relationships are not strong enough and never were to withstand the divide caused by religious differences. Ive suggested this tactic before. What should I do if something like this happens to me again? You need to understand why they have chosen to radicalize their parishioners. Aw, thats no fun, he said. Fanatics, ideologues, and absolutists are humanitys greatest scourge. Sustained reason is just the hard work that addiction to fanaticism frees us from. If you are dealing with someone who is persistent in wanting to discuss religion, say something like "I understand that you see your beliefs as the truth, but I feel the same way about mine.". Give your child a preview of what they might hear from relatives or friends at school. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. [27] This kind of jihad differs greatly from the kind most commonly discussed today. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 1. Legendary Christian hip-hop artist Brady "Phanatik" Goodwin, one of the founders of the trailblazing rap group The Cross Movement, announced last week that he is no longer a Christian and no longer believes the Bible. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 457,250 times. The result can be found in almost every corner of the globe. As always, there is a balance to be struck. Deeper Division of the classes. [citation needed]. 10 pick. How can we protect ourselves from these lost souls? These religious wars were attempts by the Catholics, sanctioned by the Pope, to conquer the Holy Land from the Muslims. The argument-from-gaps depends, of course, on the claim that science will never be able to explain these things, but that makes the argument vulnerable to unforeseen advances. Although fanatic jihadists have committed many terroristic acts throughout the world, perhaps the best known is the September 11 attacks. Keep your children indoors and out of harms way! I rest my case. This is the article for you. Fanatics are determined to go to any length to prevent women the right to choose, to the point of embracing the unethical Machiavellian practice of the ends justifying the means, as the new Arizona law illustrates. Before you point out how ridiculous this calculation is, realise it is only here to entertain.). The Inquisition was the monarchy's way of making sure their people stayed within Catholic Christianity. 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. 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. How Psychologically Conditioned Rats Are Defusing Landmines, The Innate Intelligence Observed in the Dying Process. Counsel Together. I advise you all if you see a bearded weirdo in your place of worship - dont hesitate to contact the MI5, CIA, KGB or MIB get them picked up and sent back to whichever planet they belong. Avoid debate (especially when liquor is involved). Psychiatry professor Dr. Harold Koenig, from the Medical Center in Dukes University, North Carolina, studies the . How do any believers know for sure that their faith is the right one, especially given the presumed penalty for guessing wrong. This article has been viewed 457,250 times. [7] Reason is a much harder master than god. But don't beat yourself up over it. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. Presumably this would have been done by the Fatimid governor to prevent their possible collusion with the Crusaders. 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. Its easier to kick it if you declare that youve become host to a virulent disease that can attack any of us. Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? Consequently, I had trouble making friends outside the most sympathetic circle of gracious believers at my church. You in turn can invite them to a gathering of others like you. For example, I am feeling attacked right now. I just felt attacked about something that was completely unprovoked (I didn't have anything on me or my car showing what I believe in) and I just wasn't sure how I should have handled the situation or how I should have reacted. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! If God works in mysterious ways, every single supernatural and incongruous event in religious history can be justified. Islamic extremism dates back to the early history of Islam with the emergence of the Kharijites in the 7th century CE. Tell them its okay to believe in God or not believe in God, and that people have lots of different ideas about how the universe was made and what happens after we die. I have no idea why that didn't even cross my mind. He seemed very intent in having me at the very least take a bible with me. I just felt so surprised/ambushed by it that I had no time to react or think of how to react. Tell him you won't discuss it and you're atheist. On their way to conquering the Holy Land from the Muslims by force of arms, the crusaders destroyed dozens of Jewish communities and killed thousands because the Jews would not accept the Christian faith. You can ask, however, how their religion reconciles evil acts done under the guise of the faith. Its hard to kick a drug if sobriety means admitting that youre a vile person through and through. This is where the reality of what they seek comes in, and the unconventional means of tackling the worlds problems. According to the Syriac Chronicle, all the Christians had already been expelled from Jerusalem before the Crusaders arrived. So stop worrying so much. I live in Brazil and most people here are religious, but like, REALLY religious. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Laugh at them them you aren't into their fandom? Jeremy Sherman, Ph.D., MPP, has a wide research agenda psychology from cradle to grave, lifes origins to our grave situation, grounded in a 25-year close collaboration with Berkeley neuroscientist, biological anthropologist Terrence Deacon. Lets move on. I tell him I'm an atheist. There is something about a group of people connecting with their spirituality in unison that causes an electric response. Ergo, there remains good evidence for atheism in the yawning gaps of religious understanding. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. 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. Top it all off with a Kalashnikov rifle held with both hands. No wonder fanaticism is so intoxicating. At age 19, I was a proud, Bible-thumping holy-roller who was on a one-man mission to save the world from sin. The Kharijites broke away from both the Shas and the Sunns during the First Fitna (the first Islamic Civil War);[11] they were particularly noted for adopting a radical approach to takfr (excommunication), whereby they declared both Sunn and Sha Muslims to be either infidels (kuffr) or false Muslims (munfin), and therefore deemed them worthy of death for their perceived apostasy (ridda). Jerry A. Coyne is a professor of Ecology and Evolution at The University of Chicago. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Fact: Why Science and Religion are Incompatible. If the person is a friend let them know you value their friendship, but feel uncomfortable by them trying to convert you. 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. "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.". It's not what they believe that makes them fanatics but how they believe it that they have the final word, no need to consider further evidence, and no need to ever wonder or doubt themselves. 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. Alcoholics Anonymous has been so successful in part because it gives the addict a graceful way out of the corner he or she is painted into. Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking? Sooner or later, they will all burnout from the strain, or else get bored, give up and find a hobby. Try promising yourself you wont get annoyed until you hear X number of religious remarks or stories. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. [28], Violence based on communalistic-ideologies are quite predominant in the Indian subcontinent, especially since the British Raj, even resulting in the partition of British India based on religious lines. Use I statements. I respect your opinion and I hope you can respect mine, but I think we should agree to disagree. Dont bring up the subject again unless there is new information to cover. It is completely fair for you to expect the same of the other person. He had no idea how badly I needed to hear that. How To Respond To A Religious Fanatic Admittedly, this is a problem. Why are we non-theists so outraged, indignant and disgusted when we learn new things about religion? More to follow. When we pick up the Bible or the Quran or the Book of Mormon, for example, and actually read some of whats in there? You don't 'handle it'; You walk away. Consequently, I had trouble making friends outside the most sympathetic circle of gracious believers at my church. Why, if God so ardently wants us to know and accept him, does he hide himself from humanity? "I am an atheist for a long time now, as I was exposed more and more to scientific works, the more I was getting. Its message is, "Yes, youre a wreck and have done real damage. Finally, if the person refuses to stop insulting you or to attempt to understand your perspective better, reassess the friendship. They kill innocent bystanders, sometimes by the thousands or millions. And as I listened, I gradually learned that Uncle John was a man of many sorrows, one with a broken life history, a man who was afraid God could never forgive him for all the ways he had failed. Some of us are facing relatives who are heartbroken about our lack of faith incredulous, fearful, maybe even angry. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. And, as always, love and levity go along way. At the end of the day, we all look at the same moon. How do I respond if a relative asks if I have accepted Jesus as my personal savior? He is the author ofWhy Evolution is TrueandFaith vs. Teaching in a World of Violent Extremism. If necessary, provide some source recommendations for the other person to consult and request that you resume the conversation at another time. Shed no longer have to sneak around you (as much), or feel (as) resentful, or worry (as intensely) that youre dragging your child to hell. In the race for Alabama governor, an advertisement bankrolled by the state teachers' union attacked candidate Bradley Byrne because he supposedly supported teaching evolution. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Make eye contact and focus on what the person is saying. I would appreciate it if I could have a moment to collect my thoughts.. Let them say what they came to say, take any materials they offer you and thank them for their time. When everyone is safe, secure, fed, and content.
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