how to respond to a religious fanatic
Often, we see religious exposure and treat it as religious invasion, or we hear words of faith and interpret them as acts of war. However, you also don't need to be a walking advertisement for atheism at all times either. 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. I sat there quietly without bowing my head or closing my eyes. Where fanatics say I reasoned once, came to the absolute truth and dont have to reason again, science, a practical practice we can learn to apply well beyond the lab, admits that theres no last word, just todays best guesses, to be improved upon through ongoing inquiry. I just felt so surprised/ambushed by it that I had no time to react or think of how to react. The Intolerance of Tolerance by D.A. No one is exempt from the risk. So I propose that, when debating the religious, nonbelievers start using two tu quoque arguments. You must expose them to those they influence. Fanatics are driven by perpetual fear and emotional suppression. Grant Shafer says, "Jesus of Nazareth is best known as a preacher of nonviolence".[5]. My personal answer has been a blending of spiritual, non-religious practices with practical medical advice and application. The sad fact is that some relationships are not strong enough and never were to withstand the divide caused by religious differences. Make eye contact and focus on what the person is saying. Give a measured, calm response, or none at all if you so choose. Came to believe that Reason, a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. 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? Religious fanaticism definition: Fanaticism is fanatical behaviour or the quality of being fanatical. Be sure to encourage your children to engage in these discussions, too. ", "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? I was confused how to handle it, as in my country it's dangerous to speak about it publicly. But if youre going to end up feeling frustrated or angry or thinking less of the person youre debating, then leave it. But thats not always the case. Rather, they fear God, and not in a "good" way. If necessary, provide some source recommendations for the other person to consult and request that you resume the conversation at another time. The best single way I can think of would be to end injustice. 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. Some people have such strong beliefs that they try very hard to convince others that their way is the right and only way. If he/she avoids the question or beats around the bush, something is wrong and you may want to take the next step to address possible discrimination with HR or the EEOC. If you think of another point youd like to make, dont put yourself back into a bad situation. And if we dont, well, then they wont regard us as serious atheists. Understand that rational has nothing to do with it. But we also have another ace in the hole: Make atheism-of-the-gaps arguments. I believe He can, Josh-ah, he said. Of course not. Fact: Why Science and Religion are Incompatible. Consider the audience, and bring up topics that are likely to be of general interest. 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 fact, its not the beard that drives people to kill at all (ignoring any link to testosterone). The eldest of seven children, Mary Theresa Ledochowska was born in Austria on April 29, 1863, to a Polish noble, Count Anthony, and his wife, Josephine. 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.". Fundamentalists do not obsessively focus upon dogma and ritual because God came to them and told them that was His will. Allow others the opportunity to speak. 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. Here are 10 common ways Christian fanaticism is obstructing American progress: 1.) (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. Fanaticism definition, fanatical character, spirit, or conduct. Lets move on. People's views become extreme when they feel they are being treated unfairly. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Admitted to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Walk away and give yourself some time to cool down. [11][12][13], Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian Islamist ideologue and prominent figurehead of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, was influential in promoting the Pan-Islamist ideology in the 1960s. Instead, quickly provide them with some basic information about atheism. For example, I am feeling attacked right now. Good point. A one on one is pointless since they're not going to regain their senses no matter what transpires. 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). Consequently, I had trouble making friends outside the most sympathetic circle of gracious believers at my church. 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). If they keep trying to convert you, you may need to reconsider the friendship. [citation needed]. All topics related to atheism, agnosticism and secular living are welcome here. Being a know-it-all provides such powerful pain relief. Fact: Why Science and Religion are Incompatible. [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. If the person is a friend let them know you value their friendship, but feel uncomfortable by them trying to convert you. "People are never so completely and enthusiastically evil as when they act out of religious conviction.". In the meantime, the governments of the world are absolutely right to respond to fanatics who turn to terrorism with all necessary force. Dont bother trying to reason with them. Remember that there's potential for acceptance, and celebration of these differences, because they're all important. And deep inside, I was relieved to know that I actually believed it too. Left Eye Twitching for Females: What Astrology Says About Eye Twitching, How to Use Angel Numbers for Manifestation. "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.". In the end, religion, despite centuries of theologizing, hasnt begun to provide credible answers to the goddy puzzles above. 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.. People love to talk about themselves. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Who is Bill Gothard and what is the Institute in Basic Life Principles? Dont Panic! This article helped me. (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. Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Don't blame yourself. Think of how youd like to be treated if the situation was reversed. According to Dr. Winell, RTS is a combination of 'toxic theology' and . Should Christians desire to become martyrs? If people were free to blow themselves up all over the place, society just . What's needed is an AA-style safe haven for recovering political and religious fanatics, ideologues and absolutists. He had no idea how badly I needed to hear that. I mean, people didnt know what to do with a guy who was always trying to convert everyone including Christians to Christianity. With over a decade of clinical experience, she aims to integrate evolution, genetics, and neuroscience within the practice of psychotherapy. Not a chance. Confront their bullshit by saying how rude their behavior is and if they don't stop, walk away. Remember, everyone, regardless of their beliefs, assumes they are right. Be honest, especially since it is a relative. The harsh truth about evangelical fanatics is that they are far "fanatical" than they will ever be "Christian.". We admitted we were powerless over fanaticismthat our lives had become unmanageable. These religious wars were attempts by the Catholics, sanctioned by the Pope, to conquer the Holy Land from the Muslims. They ask what that is and I say, look it up. This will help to diffuse a potentially bad situation. You must understand the cause, and expose the effect.". Last Updated: January 12, 2023 After all, theyre the ones making unevidenced claims about reality, not us. Essentially, I was terrified that I really wasnt a good boy and that He really wasnt a good God. "You see our questioner came to us already sure of his cause. Steffen[who?] For more tips, such as how to define what atheism means to you, read on! 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. If the person invites you to a religious service, agree to go as a respectful observer. Its not your fault, but it is your responsibility to kick it. Psychiatry professor Dr. Harold Koenig, from the Medical Center in Dukes University, North Carolina, studies the . 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. Having religious friends needn't be an issue if you both are respectful when religion comes up. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. RTS symptoms can negatively affect cognitive ability, emotional development, socialization, and culture. If the person shows up at your door, dont just slam it in their face. 10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft thanks to Howie Roseman's deft trading skills, and now the Birds have to figure out how best to use that valuable draft capital. Talk to your employer about it. Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. Remember, you dont have to defend your point of view to anyone. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Dr. Mary Church is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. (As if they would anyway!) Well, youre that football, Uncle John, and Hes the quarterback. flutherother ( 33539) "Great Answer" ( 3 ) Flag as . We either watched college football or just made conversation. See more. How To Respond To A Religious Fanatic All content copyright original author unless stated otherwise. [11] The original schism between Kharijites, Sunns, and Shas among Muslims was disputed over the political and religious succession to the guidance of the Muslim community (Ummah) after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. I tried to see it as an opportunity to spread the good news. Check out the websites for American Atheists, American Humanist Association, or similar groups in your area or nation. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? Many Christians were killed for having rival viewpoints.