For example, refrain from saying something like, What makes you think your religion is so much better than others? Instead, try asking, What aspects of your religion set it apart from others? This is a nicer way of asking the same question. Atheists Could Learn a Lot from Religious People About How to Win Debates Youtube Religious people and "faitheists"my term for nonbelievers who feel that religion is good for society as a. 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. Charles Selengut, in his book Sacred Fury: Understanding Religious Violence, said: The Crusades were very much holy wars waged to maintain Christianity's theological and social control. If someone else starts talking about religion, change the subject. They may have local get-togethers or events. And deep inside, I was relieved to know that I actually believed it too. Allow others the opportunity to speak. [17] When he was executed by the Egyptian government under the regime of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Ayman al-Zawahiri formed the organization Egyptian Islamic Jihad to replace the government with an Islamic state that would reflect Qutb's ideas for the Islamic revival that he yearned for. Its kind of like were a football were just an old, dead pigskin thats useless without a quarterback. [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.) Thanks for respecting that." And so they proceed to blame everyone and everything else in the world, save themselves. Bin Laden may not have looked like an anti-globalisation campaigner, but he shared with them a concern about the effects of unbridled capitalism. Steer clear of open-ended or hostile questions that wont move the conversation along. Many disagreements and arguments can be avoided through tact, patience, and common sense. My relaxed attitude made all the difference, and the trips always exceeded by expectations. Should Christians desire to become martyrs? 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. Some people have such strong beliefs that they try very hard to convince others that their way is the right and only way. The most frequently cited gaps are the sciencess failure to provide complete explanations of consciousness, morality, our sense of beauty, and why there is something in the universe instead of nothing. 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. How do you deal with religious fanatics? Consider the audience, and bring up topics that are likely to be of general interest. People's views become extreme when they feel they are being treated unfairly. Consequently, I had trouble making friends outside the most sympathetic circle of gracious believers at my church. (6,000,000,000 Humans /2 = 3,000,000,000 religious persons /2 = 1,500,000,000 fundamentalists /2 = 750,000,000 fanatics /2 = 375,000,000 terrorists. No matter what I said to him, he would warmly smile with that twinkle in his eye and say, Youre a good boy, Josh-ah.. Fanatical Christian activity continued into the Middle Ages with the Crusades. Otherwise, youll come across as aggressive, which will likely lead to conflict. away from religious beliefs. That happens a lot with me too. If someone happens to complain that you arent bowing your head during the prayer or showing the proper reverence in some other setting, calmly offer to discuss the topic privately later. 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. Fundamentalists do not obsessively focus upon dogma and ritual because God came to them and told them that was His will. 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. "From the beginning men used God to justify the unjustifiable.". But in the midst of all that stress and condemnation, Uncle John offered a respite, a shelter from the angry, condemning god I had fashioned in my own judgmental image. Give them an opportunity to speak. If they did maybe they would be a bit smarter than they actually are. If you think of another point youd like to make, dont put yourself back into a bad situation. All rights reserved. Give a measured, calm response, or none at all if you so choose. I believe He can, Josh-ah, he said. If youre in a room full of believers, think carefully before steering the conversation towards your lack of belief. The investigators had to invent all sorts of techniques, including torture, to ascertain whether new converts' beliefs were genuine.[10]. Historically, the term was applied in Christian antiquity to denigrate non-Christian religions, and subsequently acquired its current usage with the Age of Enlightenment.[1]. If they havent steeped themselves extensively in the honorable tradition of secularism, then they have no credibility as believers. Adopt a loving posture, instead of a defensive one. Then set the X number kind of high. 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. Although the Christian Bible quite plainly repeatedly encourages followers to help the needy and poor, many fanatical Christians seemed to have overlooked their book's message on this subject and have instead chosen to label . If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Be self-effacing. Christian rappers responded to Brady Goodwin renouncing his faith in January 2022. Dr. Mary Church is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although fanatic jihadists have committed many terroristic acts throughout the world, perhaps the best known is the September 11 attacks. But I also realized that we can turn the tables on these people. This post originally appeared in February 2012. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Let them say what they came to say, take any materials they offer you and thank them for their time. Fact: Why Science and Religion are Incompatible. Such zealousness may result in severe problems for humanity at large. If 3 or 4 nice ways of saying no don't work, then pull out all the stops. At the end of the day, we all look at the same moon. Why didnt Jesus return during his followers lifetime, as he promised? 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. | We all have different sensory capabilities and process information differently. Long story short I got out of there as quickly as I could. I was at this guy's house buying car parts from him and somehow he gets to talking about being a Christian and asks me what I believe in. Ill tell you what Ill get a couple of girls to meet up with you at my apartment, and they can really show you a thing or two., Before he could describe the thing or two they were going to show me, I launched into a fiery sermon, setting him straight and letting him know where I stood in my quest for purity. Keep your children indoors and out of harms way! Fanaticism Quotes. Walk away and give yourself some time to cool down. How to deal with Religious Fanatics : by Outer_Real: Mon Oct 13 2003 at 9:39:44: A Cut-Out-and-Keep Ministry of Information Guide . make no such allegation about the Crusaders in Jerusalem. I would appreciate it if I could have a moment to collect my thoughts.. Fear is a lack of faith. 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.". "Sacred Fury: Understanding Religious Violence. Just sit it out and wait for the subject to change. I live in Brazil and most people here are religious, but like, REALLY religious. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. Religionists often float God-of-the-gaps arguments, saying that evidence for God lies in the intersticesof our scientific understanding. And if people can fault us for not reading Aquinas, Augustine, Origen, Tertullian, and modern theologians like Hart and Alvin Plantinga, well, then, why not ask something similar of them? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It usually takes around 15-20 minutes to respond. You know that God loves you no matter what youve done, right? I asked. I have a love-hate relationship with Thanksgiving Day. Can they be justified through rational thought? For example, if your religious friends start to discuss their church activities try saying, Thats great youre so involved in your church. Often, we see religious exposure and treat it as religious invasion, or we hear words of faith and interpret them as acts of war. An atheist should be someone who is open to asking questions and seeking answers. Understand that rational has nothing to do with it. We all have to sometimes listen to people talk about subjects we dont care for or dont understand hockey, poetry, auto repair, or whatever it may be. Dont Panic! 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. Welcome to Ohio. "There were a lot of gods. Jerry A. Coyne is a professor of Ecology and Evolution at The University of Chicago. He is the author ofWhy Evolution is TrueandFaith vs. Now I never thought of it like that, he said. 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. What should I do if something like this happens to me again? Official Catholic doctrine, for instance, is that unconfessed homosexual acts doomyou eternal immolation in molten sulfur. This is a breaking news story. In fact, its not the beard that drives people to kill at all (ignoring any link to testosterone). Came to believe that Reason, a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Why would the Abrahamic God, all-lovingand all-powerful, allow natural evils to tormentand kill people? So what can be done? [citation needed]. This is a pioneer research whose main goal is to explore the levels of religious fanaticism with an adult sample of five different religious denominations in Puerto Rico using a pioneer scale entitled Religious Fanaticism Scale (RFS). Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! First, let the person know that his/her words or actions are hurtful, and that your beliefs are very personal and important to you. Dont ask questions that are purposely leading and antagonistic. So I propose that, when debating the religious, nonbelievers start using two tu quoque arguments. Nearly all people who are highly religious say believing in God is essential to their religious identity (96% . More probably, you will make them more suspicious that you are in league with the Great Satan. I tell him I'm an atheist. Instead, they believe their failure to receive any divine experience is because God has rejected them. Its not your fault, but it is your responsibility to kick it. 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? For more tips, such as how to define what atheism means to you, read on! Luckily for me this is only a "once on a great while" occurrence. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. This article was co-authored by Mary Church, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Not only does 'jihad' not endorse acts of military aggression, but 'jihad' is invoked in Qur'anic passages to indicate how uses of force are always subject to restraint and qualification". I am thankful that we can all be together now to enjoy it, and each others company.. The human body is not designed to withstand the constant emotional stress and narrow-mindedness that fanatical extremism requires. Try finding support online. Lon- 10 pick. If you are resentful towards religion, consider that much of your resentment probably stems from people attempting to force their beliefs on you. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 457,250 times. assets of fanaticism, yet it may be doubted if the fanatic type of mind ever could do more than agitate. This sort of ends the conversation. If people were free to blow themselves up all over the place, society just would not be able to function. The Reformation set off a chain of sectarian wars between the Catholics and the sectarian Protestants, culminating in the wars of religion. 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. I sat there quietly without bowing my head or closing my eyes. [27] This kind of jihad differs greatly from the kind most commonly discussed today. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Selengut, Charles. was it you did not understand asshole?" And would a loving Godreally let someone burn foreverbecause they were Jews, or didnt get baptized? Fanatics always act zealously. 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. According to Ellens, the al-Qaeda members who took part in the terrorist attacks did so out of their belief that, by doing it, they would "enact a devastating blow against the evil of secularized and non-Muslim America. According to them, true Muslims will pursue it by any means necessary, including dissimulation, civil coercion, and the killing of innocents". If he/she started an argument about that, just pull yourself out and say you won't argue about faith choices. Encourage your children to listen and be respectful and that they have plenty of time to make up their own minds. You are not alone. but I'm allowed to give the answer I want to give." "I'm all for . Children may go to church every Sunday with their grandparents, but theyll still look to their parents for true religious guidance. Since you know what to expect, you should prepare a short list of rules that YOU must follow. To comprehend religious fanaticism, it is crucial to understand the basics of religion and spirituality. Consequently, I had trouble making friends outside the most sympathetic circle of gracious believers at my church. Tell him that reading the bible turned you an atheist - too much bullshit. 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. [8], Shafer adds that, "When the crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, they killed Muslims, Jews, and native Christians indiscriminately". Here are a few religiousgaps: Now its no use for believers to respond, God is mysterious. Reason is also related to logos, a word with diverse implications over the millennia but related to language, and logic, uniquely human gifts for our ongoing effort to understand the true ways of the world. His peers in Christian rap are responding . There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. ", "This was extremely helpful, I am a satanist, but I applied this to my view. Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. In a situation like that I sometimes say that I am a Pantheist. Be honest, especially since it is a relative. You don't 'handle it'; You walk away. 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. Bin Laden's concept, though, is very different from the actual meaning of the term. I am glad to know its okay to just deal with, "Has helped in many ways to avoid the judgemental verbal opinions of others, and not take any personal offense. Dr. Church holds a BS in Psychology from Eckerd College and an MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology from The University of Memphis. The kind of response that one Sunday led to our entire congregation lining up, and, at the touch of a remarkably dynamic worship leader, falling to the floor like dominoes slain, as we were, in the spirit. What should you do if your friend insults you simply because you are an atheist? Your views are equally right and important. ", meals. Thats unconscionable. And our own tacticis far superior to God-of-the-gaps arguments, since the gaps in science grow smaller as we learn more (neuroscience is one example). The sad fact is that some relationships are not strong enough and never were to withstand the divide caused by religious differences. But we can play the Gap Game, too. 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. What should I do if I feel like my beliefs are limiting my pay and promotion at work? [10] The driving force of the Inquisition was the Inquisitors, who were responsible for spreading the truth of Christianity. Be thoughtful and respectful. Second, offer to have a conversation about your beliefs in an attempt to improve mutual understanding. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Steffen[who?] No wonder fanaticism is so intoxicating. Selengut said, "The inquisitions were attempts at self-protection and targeted primarily "internal enemies" of the church". Christian martyrdom - what does the Bible say? Once they have finished their thought, thank them for their time. Picture for yourself an ugly, scarred, bearded face. Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. 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. In the religious context, jihad most nearly means "working urgently for a certain godly objective, generally an imperialist one". They fear their thoughts, their doubts, and above all they fear they have been rejected by both society and God. So what hope is there? "I am an atheist for a long time now, as I was exposed more and more to scientific works, the more I was getting. Check out the websites for American Atheists, American Humanist Association, or similar groups in your area or nation. Ergo, there remains good evidence for atheism in the yawning gaps of religious understanding. . [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. 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. As always, there is a balance to be struck. I do polite first, nice second, then blunt, then I go to asshat mode. 16 Bryan, D. Fanatics, Mobs and Terrorists: The Dynamics of Orange Parades in Northern Ireland. If they insist on continuing, tell them you didn't realize that they were going to insist on talking about religion, excuse yourself, and walk out. {"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":"