Challenging beliefs

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Doubtingthomas

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Why do many Christians and Catholics get angry when you try to understand their beliefs? It’s not helpful in terms of trying to come to believe and I was under the assumption we are supposed to try to help each other?
 
Have hope. I ask many dumb questions here and yet people always answer for me!
 
As with all social media, work carefully on your presentation, keeping in mind that people cannot hear your tone of voice and cannot see your face. Some people adopt an immediate challenging or hostile tone, and that will elicit the same back. Don’t assume an answer from one poster represents all posters. Do a search first to see if your question has been answered before–some people here do get tired of the same questions posted time and again and may give abrupt answers. I have rarely seen the kind of “anger” you describe that “many” of giving you, if the question is sincere and is worded in a way that the poster really is seeking understanding.
 
Doubtingthomas said:
Why do many Christians and Catholics get angry when you try to understand their beliefs?
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Perhaps when they try to explain it, they get muddled or confused. Did you ever try to teach or explain something for the first time? You find out how much you don’t know. Things you thought were obvious take a little more effort when you have to come up with a clear explanation.

So be patient with them. Not every Christian or Catholic is ready to answer hard questions.
 
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I don’t know. I don’t think they should. Perhaps they don’t like confrontation in general, a common thing nowadays. Especially if you put them on the spot, or if you “challenge” the beliefs somewhere where it’s not expected. Like, if you were to go up and make some scene after Church, that’s not at all good manners. Or if it’s a group that is supposed to be supportive, then that’s also not good.
Of if someone just died or something and you say something rude.

Also, people may get angry if you offend God, for a similar reason you’d get angry if someone offended your family members or friends.
 
This is very true! Thank you Kei. Honestly 90 percent of my experience is here with you guys and other forums. I’m sorry if I came off as rude! I’m more exasperated.
 
Unfortunately these days questioning a belief is often seen as an attack on that belief, even when it’s meant for clarification or examination.

Interestingly, brain scans show that a person’s brain reacts the same way to a physical threats as it does to an intellectual threats - and especially in discussion (and on the internet) we’re more prone to fight rather than flight.
 
Good responses from the other poster. But, I’d like to add that it also depends how the person is presenting the question. I recommend that it should be approached with humility and that, if you are not sure whether something is an actual tenant of the faith, avoid asking about it as if it is.

Compare these two:
  1. Why does the Church hate gays?
  2. I’ve heard it said that the Church hates gays? Is that true? If not, what is it’s stance on homosexuals?
Number 1 is more likely to generate a negative response because it starts out with an assumption and a negative one.

Also, when making OP’s, I’d refrain from giving my judgments on a belief before I hear what everyone has to say first. That makes it seem more like you’re here to listen instead of to stir the pot or to be validated. A lot of people come here to ask troll questions or to have their opinions validated.
 
Many posters here would be really happy to be given opportunity to answer qusestions on their belief, unless there is a misunderstanding, or an OP trying to provoke or having an agenda, perhaps to proselytize, which is disallowed in the Forum.

In the old Forum format, there is a list of ettiquettes on how to post in the Forum, which I find helpful to avoid the discussion getting derailed into mud-slinging and anger.

God bless.
 
Doubtingthomas said:
What is proselytizing?
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Trying to convert someone to one’s faith or belief.

We can share information about our faith but we are not supposed to pressure anyone to change. The rule is not just for Catholics; members of any faith or non-faith are not allowed to proselytize.

However, if someone states that they are interested in becoming Catholic (or Christian), we are free to help them as much as they want.
 
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