It never ceases to amaze me how hot and bothered people get when they feel others are questioning their views on politics or religion. Why are a lot of folks so touchy on these topics?

 

I could say something negative about someone's momma and not receive the consternation that I would get had I bad-mouthed Dubya, McBush, Benny Hinn, or Joel Osteen.

 

You are more likely to get punched by saying," Republicans are a bunch of geriatric, self-centered gnomes" than if you said, "Your kid sucks at baseball."

 

Why do so many people take attacks on a political or religious ideology so personal? I can only laugh when I watch two highly educated adults on TV screaming(and I mean SCREAMING) at each other over the merits and/or faults of John McCain or Barack Obama. The same silliness goes on here in these forums.

 

Why is this????

 

Reds' fans, why does it push your buttons more if someone slams your political party or your denomination than if they slammed the Reds or even Reds' fans?

 

A lot of folks are passionate about their music or hobbies, but you wouldn't find someone getting as bent out of shape over criticism of their musical tastes as they would if their political tastes were questioned.

 

I have had self-proclaimed evangelical "Christians" message me with some of the most vile, filthy, and offensive language, just because I expressed a political or religious view that was unlike their own.

 

Why does politics and religion often cause adults to engage each other in such childish and ridulous rants? I find it ludicrous to the point of being laughable.

 

Anyone want to comment on why P&R topics make you so defensive? Do they sometimes make you question your own belief system? Maybe you just might not be right in the way you view the world? Are you not as secure in your views as you would lead others to believe? Frustrated that you have not been able to win over the rest of the world?

 

Why the anger over politics and religion? These are issues not just for those on these boards, but for people the world over.

 

Any comments? Answers?

Because politics and religion are very personal to most folks; especially those inclined to talk about them on a message board.

 

And because some choose to try to bait others with personal digs and inflammatory statements, or simply to use the "ditto-head" thumbs-up emoticon without adding to the debate or the discussion. These types of posts tend to get people fired up; and sometimes it's tempting to rise to the bait.

Because politics and religion are very personal to most folks; especially those inclined to talk about them on a message board.

 

And because some choose to try to bait others with personal digs and inflammatory statements, or simply to use the "ditto-head" thumbs-up emoticon without adding to the debate or the discussion. These types of posts tend to get people fired up; and sometimes it's tempting to rise to the bait.

 

I am guilty of the "thumbs up" response to posts, mostly because the other person has said something that I wanted to say, just so much better then me.

 

I don't really get offended at people who disagree with me, but more when people feel as though they need to belittle other people or their opinions...or those that have a condescending attitude (actually, that more just makes me laugh). There are two hotbutton issues for me, but I will refrain from pointing those out.

Because politics and religion are very personal to most folks; especially those inclined to talk about them on a message board.

 

And because some choose to try to bait others with personal digs and inflammatory statements, or simply to use the "ditto-head" thumbs-up emoticon without adding to the debate or the discussion. These types of posts tend to get people fired up; and sometimes it's tempting to rise to the bait.

 

Very true. I have a cousin who loves saying something to someone that he knows will stir them up even more and make them want to lash out at someone else.

But why does your blood boil if I make a joke about some Republican bafoon in Washington?

 

Is there some deep-seated psychological reason that people allow themselves to regress to childish behaviors and embryonic rhetoric in discussing something like "John McCain calls President Carter a lousy President" or a myriad of other silly topics?

Edited July 7, 200818 yr by the mathemagician

Religon is such a big part of who many of us are, that it is hard not to take it personal. For some, (not I), politics is also a major part. When you attack and label others, ... or those that they support, you are attacking the very core of who they believe themselves to be.

 

Does it make the foul language and personal slams appropriate? Of course not. However, when you slam someone else (and negatively labeling every member of a group is slamming them as well), don't be surprised if they slam you back. Namecalling is never a way to make progress.

 

EG ... Recently, a coworker of my wife made a very nasty comment about Catholics, not realizing that we are Catholic. Then she was surprised when my wife responded with a less than friendly tone "I am not like that." The coworker was actually surprised that my wife was upset by her comment.

 

If we can all learn to state the information and not label and/or namecall, we might actually make some progress in actually ironing out some differences of opinion.

I think people are persuaded by others, culture, TV, news media etc.to believe what they really deep down don't believe. This makes them defensive and unable to defend their beliefs

Religon is such a big part of who many of us are, that it is hard not to take it personal. For some, (not I), politics is also a major part. When you attack and label others, ... or those that they support, you are attacking the very core of who they believe themselves to be.

 

Does it make the foul language and personal slams appropriate? Of course not. However, when you slam someone else (and negatively labeling every member of a group is slamming them as well), don't be surprised if they slam you back. Namecalling is never a way to make progress.

 

EG ... Recently, a coworker of my wife made a very nasty comment about Catholics, not realizing that we are Catholic. Then she was surprised when my wife responded with a less than friendly tone "I am not like that." The coworker was actually surprised that my wife was upset by her comment.

 

If we can all learn to state the information and not label and/or namecall, we might actually make some progress in actually ironing out some differences of opinion.

 

 

Thanks for the response.

I think then if people will agree that the bible is the word of God and that it can be understood and they are willing to listen to reason, then people wouldn't get so mad. However, a lot of people tend to put emotion over logic and then things can get out of control quick.

I think its the way we humans are wired and that passion/emotion is triggered by a negative comment. We are a microwave society wanting everything quick or yesterday not wanting to seek common ground but defend what we think to be right.

Some of us don't let comments slide (and I'm not saying that's a good thing). People take offense when you challenge a statement that can't be supported.

It just doesn't get much more personal than religion and politics. Religion is the heart of what many believe and politics is how people represent their beliefs.

Religon is such a big part of who many of us are, that it is hard not to take it personal. For some, (not I), politics is also a major part. When you attack and label others, ... or those that they support, you are attacking the very core of who they believe themselves to be.

 

Does it make the foul language and personal slams appropriate? Of course not. However, when you slam someone else (and negatively labeling every member of a group is slamming them as well), don't be surprised if they slam you back. Namecalling is never a way to make progress.

 

EG ... Recently, a coworker of my wife made a very nasty comment about Catholics, not realizing that we are Catholic. Then she was surprised when my wife responded with a less than friendly tone "I am not like that." The coworker was actually surprised that my wife was upset by her comment.

 

If we can all learn to state the information and not label and/or namecall, we might actually make some progress in actually ironing out some differences of opinion.

 

I want to :thumb: this one. :lol: I really agree. There is too much labelling, which takes away from an intent to understand the other sides of an issue.

It never ceases to amaze me how hot and bothered people get when they feel others are questioning their views on politics or religion. Why are a lot of folks so touchy on these topics?

 

I could say something negative about someone's momma and not receive the consternation that I would get had I bad-mouthed Dubya, McBush, Benny Hinn, or Joel Osteen.

 

You are more likely to get punched by saying," Republicans are a bunch of geriatric, self-centered gnomes" than if you said, "Your kid sucks at baseball."

 

Why do so many people take attacks on a political or religious ideology so personal? I can only laugh when I watch two highly educated adults on TV screaming(and I mean SCREAMING) at each other over the merits and/or faults of John McCain or Barack Obama. The same silliness goes on here in these forums.

 

Why is this????

 

Reds' fans, why does it push your buttons more if someone slams your political party or your denomination than if they slammed the Reds or even Reds' fans?

 

A lot of folks are passionate about their music or hobbies, but you wouldn't find someone getting as bent out of shape over criticism of their musical tastes as they would if their political tastes were questioned.

 

I have had self-proclaimed evangelical "Christians" message me with some of the most vile, filthy, and offensive language, just because I expressed a political or religious view that was unlike their own.

 

Why does politics and religion often cause adults to engage each other in such childish and ridulous rants? I find it ludicrous to the point of being laughable.

 

Anyone want to comment on why P&R topics make you so defensive? Do they sometimes make you question your own belief system? Maybe you just might not be right in the way you view the world? Are you not as secure in your views as you would lead others to believe? Frustrated that you have not been able to win over the rest of the world?

 

Why the anger over politics and religion? These are issues not just for those on these boards, but for people the world over.

 

Any comments? Answers?

I would never allow anyone to say anything about my "moma" but you are free to have at it with any of the others you mentioned.

 

I have/had a friend, who I have/had been friends with for close to 30 years disown, I'm assuming that's what she's done, me when I became a Catholic. She more or less told me that I was joining a cult. I never fired back that I think her church does stuff strange becuase I just always figured how she worshiped was her business.

 

I really don't get mad when someone disagrees with me on either subject but I will admit that when my husband's nephew gets started talking about the election, he soon makes me boil. So my best defense with this young man is to walk away when he gets started.

Religon is such a big part of who many of us are, that it is hard not to take it personal. For some, (not I), politics is also a major part. When you attack and label others, ... or those that they support, you are attacking the very core of who they believe themselves to be.

 

Does it make the foul language and personal slams appropriate? Of course not. However, when you slam someone else (and negatively labeling every member of a group is slamming them as well), don't be surprised if they slam you back. Namecalling is never a way to make progress.

 

EG ... Recently, a coworker of my wife made a very nasty comment about Catholics, not realizing that we are Catholic. Then she was surprised when my wife responded with a less than friendly tone "I am not like that." The coworker was actually surprised that my wife was upset by her comment.

 

If we can all learn to state the information and not label and/or namecall, we might actually make some progress in actually ironing out some differences of opinion.

 

:thumb: Great Post MT, I 100% agree. I was not going to post in P&R anymore (or at least very little) and I just happened to see your post on this.

 

I can take and deliver "jabs" with anyone on here..... and I have. I will take shots and slam some of the ones in the news (politicians, etc..) that the thread may be talking about but I stay away from taking any personal shots at fellow bgp members. I don't mind someone having a different opinion and thinking that my opinion is crazy (I am used to that, I am married ). I will respect their opinions and if I can't respect their views on a certain subject I still respect their right to have that paticualr opinion.

When someone goes a step futher than just "taking a jab" and it gets peronal that is when I am done with it. I have seen that happen lately and I am not going to go into any of that. I may be back in this forum but I doubt that it will be a lot. (I am sure that will please some and I know that it will me )

 

Anyway MT.....Great post ! :thumb: