how to respond to a religious fanatic how to respond to a religious fanatic

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. Fanatics always act zealously. Use I statements. 6 yr. ago You could just say your beliefs are personal, you don't feel comfortable talking about them, and change this subject back to whatever you were there for. 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. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Let's discuss the question: how to respond to a religious fanatic.We summarize all relevant answers in section Q&A of website Mytholi.com in category: Blog Finance For You.See more related questions in the comments below. Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. In fact, its not the beard that drives people to kill at all (ignoring any link to testosterone). If youve been going back and forth, put an end to the conversation, at least for the time being. was it you did not understand asshole?" 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. Try promising yourself you wont get annoyed until you hear X number of religious remarks or stories. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. ", Paul Berman, "The Philosopher of Islamic Terror", Out of the Shadows: Getting ahead of prisoner radicalization, "The Evolution of Al-Qaeda: Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi", "BBC - History - British History in depth: The Hidden Story of Partition and its Legacies", "How Hindu supremacists are tearing India apart". Humbling ourselves to it is painful. Something happened to me the other day that made me feel pretty uncomfortable and I felt like I had no idea how to respond. RTS symptoms can negatively affect cognitive ability, emotional development, socialization, and culture. This article has been viewed 457,250 times. But we can play the Gap Game, too. I rest my case. No wonder so many of us fall off the wagon. The struggle can be a struggle of implementing the Islamic values in daily activities, a struggle with others to counter arguments against Islam, or self-defense when physically attacked because of belief in Islam. For example, if your religious friends start to discuss their church activities try saying, Thats great youre so involved in your church. These religious wars were attempts by the Catholics, sanctioned by the Pope, to conquer the Holy Land from the Muslims. When we pick up the Bible or the Quran or the Book of Mormon, for example, and actually read some of whats in there? For more tips, such as how to define what atheism means to you, read on! Fanaticism is a drug. | I just felt so surprised/ambushed by it that I had no time to react or think of how to react. 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 . Fear is a lack of faith. These are not rules for the religious fanatic to follow, because he/she won't follow them, even if you got him to agree ahead of time to follow them, he/she would still not follow them. ". But if youre going to end up feeling frustrated or angry or thinking less of the person youre debating, then leave it. What should you do if your friend insults you simply because you are an atheist? 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. Tell him that reading the bible turned you an atheist - too much bullshit. what everybody else said, and if that doesn't work you can use my line next. It is completely fair for you to expect the same of the other person. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. By contrast, only three-in-ten people who are classified as not highly religious (31%) say religion is very important in their lives, and most of the rest (38%) say religion is "not too" or "not at all" important to them. If youre in a room full of believers, think carefully before steering the conversation towards your lack of belief. If someone is clearly very intolerant of atheism and will not stop criticizing your beliefs, then a rational discussion with them is probably not worth pursuing. Synonyms include extremist, radical, chauvinist, militant, bigot, sectarian, diehard, and dogmatist. For more tips, such as how to define what atheism means to you, read on! As Steffen says, though, "Jihad in these uses is always defensive. Thats why its called faith. Another prominent form of fanaticism according to some came a few centuries later with the Spanish Inquisition. [.] How to Handle a Religious Fanatic At age 19, I was a proud, Bible-thumping holy-roller who was on a one-man mission to save the world from sin. In the end, religion, despite centuries of theologizing, hasnt begun to provide credible answers to the goddy puzzles above. Before you begin the conversation, ask if the person understands what an atheist is. This will help to diffuse a potentially bad situation. Being a know-it-all provides such powerful pain relief. If people were free to blow themselves up all over the place, society just . Please have your Passports Ready. Tell him you won't discuss it and you're atheist. People cant possible believe this stuff, we nonreligious types say. 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. Be thoughtful and respectful. Fanaticism Quotes. So I propose that, when debating the religious, nonbelievers start using two tu quoque arguments. Check out the websites for American Atheists, American Humanist Association, or similar groups in your area or nation. 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 . [11] From their essentially political position, the Kharijites developed extreme doctrines that set them apart from both mainstream Sunn and Sha Muslims. After all, theyre the ones making unevidenced claims about reality, not us. 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. You could just say your beliefs are personal, you don't feel comfortable talking about them, and change this subject back to whatever you were there for. 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. Dr. Mary Church is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. [6] An example of Christians who didn't line up with Orthodox ideology is the Donatists, who "refused to accept repentant clergy who had formerly given way to apostasy when persecuted". Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 7 Tips for Dealing with Religious Relatives. "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.". Grant Shafer says, "Jesus of Nazareth is best known as a preacher of nonviolence".[5]. 5. 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. Selengut, Charles. 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. A believer in religion may be open and liberal and an,other From her parents Maria Theresa inherited not only their noble blood, but also a heart sensitive for the needy. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. . In a situation like that I sometimes say that I am a Pantheist. You must understand the cause, and expose the effect.". wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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? Essentially, I was terrified that I really wasnt a good boy and that He really wasnt a good God. Be sure to encourage your children to engage in these discussions, too. It makes them feel good. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. (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. I have no idea why that didn't even cross my mind. At the end of the day, we all look at the same moon. Give your child a preview of what they might hear from relatives or friends at school. Can they be justified through rational thought? Give them an opportunity to speak. If God works in mysterious ways, every single supernatural and incongruous event in religious history can be justified. If you're asked about your religious beliefs, be honest. assets of fanaticism, yet it may be doubted if the fanatic type of mind ever could do more than agitate. First, let the person know that his/her words or actions are hurtful, and that your beliefs are very personal and important to you. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! he Eagles hold the No. Or, if youre sufficiently sophisticated to see God not as a bearded spirit but as The Ground of All Being, why isnt that Ground obvious to everyone? Many disagreements and arguments can be avoided through tact, patience, and common sense. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. How do any believers know for sure that their faith is the right one, especially given the presumed penalty for guessing wrong. I wrote this as an article for a university magazine, which can be found at www.thescript.net, and thought it would fit well as an entry here. 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. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. Fanatics, ideologues, and absolutists are humanitys greatest scourge. Christian rappers responded to Brady Goodwin renouncing his faith in January 2022. But we also have another ace in the hole: Make atheism-of-the-gaps arguments. 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. 10 pick. Explain to your kids that people have all sorts of religious beliefs, and encourage them to explore and ask lots of questions. Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors. When he first brought up Jeebus I would have said, "I don't like talking about such a private matter as religion. 1 Don't bring up the subject unnecessarily. But bad things arent going to keep us out of Heaven, and good things wont get us in. Dont ask questions that are purposely leading and antagonistic. I sat there quietly without bowing my head or closing my eyes. If that doesn't help, I just leave them talking to themselves. All content copyright original author unless stated otherwise. Otherwise, youll come across as aggressive, which will likely lead to conflict. 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. Here are 10 common ways Christian fanaticism is obstructing American progress: 1.) The Haynals write: "The dictionary defines a fanatic as someone with excessive and single minded zeal. [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.) "Sacred Fury: Understanding Religious Violence. We all have different sensory capabilities and process information differently. Jews had to be killed in the religious campaign because their very existence challenged the sole truth espoused by the Christian Church. I do polite first, nice second, then blunt, then I go to asshat mode. Let your mother know that, as long as she doesnt say anything hurtful, hateful or scary, she is welcome to expose your children to religion as much or as little as she likes. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. An atheist should be someone who is open to asking questions and seeking answers. They think theyre perfectly fine driving. Be self-effacing. 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? When speaking about fanaticism it is necessary to mention the Urelative of the term fandom that has been used primarily in the sphere of entertainment. Then set the X number kind of high. However many Catholics see the crusades as a just war. The virtue of the fanatic as an agitator is largely due to the emotional response which his appeal finds in the If the person invites you to a religious service, agree to go as a respectful observer. Lutheran, Baptist), and . Carson. Reason is a much harder master than god. No one wants to expose kids to the family tension, or say something that will make the the tension even worse. Understand that rational has nothing to do with it. The harsh truth about evangelical fanatics is that they are far "fanatical" than they will ever be "Christian.". Thats unconscionable. 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. Genocide or Jesus: A God of Conquest or Pacifism? Not a chance. My personal answer has been a blending of spiritual, non-religious practices with practical medical advice and application. 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. Because religion is often irrational, arguing about religion is usually pretty pointless. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. How should a Christian respond to persecution? Fanatical Christian activity continued into the Middle Ages with the Crusades. You can start the conversation by saying, Why dont I tell you a little bit more about atheism, so you know where Im coming from.. According to them, true Muslims will pursue it by any means necessary, including dissimulation, civil coercion, and the killing of innocents". The most obvious might be the feared Al-Qaida terrorists and Taliban militiamen tramping around Central Asia. Remember that there's potential for acceptance, and celebration of these differences, because they're all important. Aw, thats no fun, he said. Talk to your employer about it. Its not your fault, but it is your responsibility to kick it. [18] The Qutbist ideology has been influential on jihadist movements and Islamic terrorists that seek to overthrow secular governments, most notably Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri of al-Qaeda,[14][15][16] as well as the Salafi-jihadi terrorist group ISIL/ISIS/IS/Daesh. But thats not always the case. 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.). 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. 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". Two hundred adults from both genders between the ages of 21-86 years old from five religious denominations: Catholics, Protestants (i.e. All topics related to atheism, agnosticism and secular living are welcome here. Sprinkle a couple of ammunition belts hanging from both shoulders. More probably, you will make them more suspicious that you are in league with the Great Satan. [29] In modern-day India, incidents of anti-Muslim violence are politically motivated and a part of the electoral strategy of mainstream political parties who are associated with Hindu nationalism like the Bharatiya Janata Party (political wing of RSS).[30]. Avoid debate (especially when liquor is involved). However, stating this perspective bluntly is bound to cause hurt and discord. Sooner or later, they will all burnout from the strain, or else get bored, give up and find a hobby. Let us inform religious folk that we wont pay attention to their superstitions, or their criticisms of atheism, until theyve read The Very Best of Atheist Thought. Those judgments are not founded on truth or made by the Holy Spirit because most of them don't have the Holy Spirit to help them know the truth. Shaming the addict can make him dig in his heels. [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. NFL DRAFT. Reason is natures gift to humankind and to the humanitarian impulse. This is a breaking news story. Ive suggested this tactic before. You don't 'handle it'; You walk away. The result can be found in almost every corner of the globe. 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". Like so many of us, you became host to a powerful parasite that mutates quickly and has taken over minds throughout human history. Having religious friends needn't be an issue if you both are respectful when religion comes up. Make jokes. Say something like I am thankful for the people who grew this food, those who provided it, and those who prepared it. But I never felt like I made much progress until one memorable phone conversation towards the end of his life. Its kind of like were a football were just an old, dead pigskin thats useless without a quarterback. [19] Moreover, Qutb's books have been frequently been cited by Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki.[20][21][22][23][24][25]. (Freedom 24), According to certain observers this disregard for others and rampant use of violence is markedly different from the peaceful message that jihad is meant to employ. Religious fanaticism, or religious extremism, is a pejorative designation used to indicate uncritical zeal or obsessive enthusiasm which is related to one's own, or one's group's, devotion to a religion a form of human fanaticism which could otherwise be expressed in one's other involvements and participation, including employment, role, and partisan affinities. Who saw that coming? More to follow. If he/she started an argument about that, just pull yourself out and say you won't argue about faith choices. 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. Humbly invoked reason to remove our shortcomings. You know that God loves you no matter what youve done, right? I asked. Let them know youre ending the conversation. If the person shows up at your door, dont just slam it in their face. Together we can lick this thing.". I just wanted to continue about my business for the day). People love to talk about themselves. (As if they would anyway!) Completely devoted to the people or organizations they idolize, these super-fans live their lives with a slavish sense of adoration and allegiance. Whilst religions offer advice and encouragement to help people to improve themselves, associations like Subud offer actual experience of the reality. If scientists were to respond likewise by saying, The brain works in mysterious ways, or Evolution works in mysterious ways, theists would simply sneer, for they cant see the beam in their own eye. 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. Then he starts pressuring me about looking into Christianity and if I would take a bible with me (he was a youth minister so he had a few with him). And, as always, love and levity go along way. People like that owe you nothing. He knew how straight-laced I was, and that was probably the reason he enjoyed making these kinds of comments on a regular basis. For example, respond to the question, What religion are you? with I watch football every Sunday, but my mom says thats not a religion. I once told someone I was a Cathode Follower. But these are all long-term strategies. In contrast, the gaps in theism never narrow. This is not to say they are acting in self-defence. Enjoy! That happens a lot with me too. Listen when they respond. ", 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Remember, you dont have to defend your point of view to anyone. And if all else fails, do what most families do and find a third-party to vilify. Fanatics are driven by perpetual fear and emotional suppression. When everyone is safe, secure, fed, and content. Bin Laden's concept, though, is very different from the actual meaning of the term. Dr. Church holds a BS in Psychology from Eckerd College and an MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology from The University of Memphis. Over time, I grew to love Uncle John so much that I found it easy to see how God could love him, and I made a point to try to get that across to him. This article helped me. 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.