So I saw another thread mentioning how we should have political and religious discussion threads, I respectfully digress. But it made me wonder, what exactly IS it about politics and religion that turns what might start off as a monocle and tea discussion into a monkeys throwing feces no hold bars bar fight? I've been able to hold an interesting discussion or two, but I've seen COUNTLESS forums where it's like watching barbarians loot and pillage.

Anyway, this topic isnt about Politics and Religion specfically but about people getting so hostile about it. Is it because some people disagree or feel so strongly they feel the need to become self appointed crusaders of _____? Anywho, if mods have an issue with this topic, that's fine, but Im hoping this can at least be discussed, because it's always something I wonder about people.

It's because people like to associate themselves with groups and discussions about said groups are taken as discussions personally pointed towards said individuals. Most all of us are guilty of this in one way or another so when people hear others insult their group they feel it is a personal insult and a heated discussion is born.

Extremely strong beliefs and feelings, that when challenged make people uncomfortable/defensive.

Religion and Politics reflect deeply held personal beliefs. Any perceived slight is regarded as a vicious personal attack of who you are on a fundamental level and is therefore treated in the most hostile way possible in whatever media available.

I think it's because people value their own opinion very highly, and in areas such as politics or religion, where very often there are extreme viewpoints, things can get ugly quickly as no-one is willing to accept what anyone else is saying. The differences are too extreme for there to be any common ground.

Political and religious beliefs are often completely irrational but deeply personal and emotional viewpoints. People have almost no choice but to get harsh and defiant when sound arguments are made against their personal beliefs. It's not wrong, it's human nature. It's the very fact that logic and emotion don't line up that creates the tension.

I agree with all of the above.

It's easier to talk about these things face-to-face where you're pretty much forced to show basic courtesy and decency to everyone else in the discussion, but since the internet allows you to do anonymous drive-by postings or post inflammatory statements without consequences all etiquette is quickly forgotten and each post becomes angrier and snarkier.

Ever read the comments on Yahoo News or Huff Post? :shudders:

It's because religion and politics are backed by people's core beliefs--the beliefs that drive people and motivate them in life and keep them going. By bringing these core beliefs into question, it brings the person into question, which causes people to get really defensive.

So typically discussions on religion and politics go absolutely no where, as no one is willing (or sometimes able) to change their core beliefs.

I think it's because on the internet we simply can't use our hands, arms, and facial expressions to emphasize our views and beliefs.

So our words become more laden.



What we need are more smileys to convey our emotions!

:celebration:

Basically any subject which a person has strong feelings for evokes the same defensive emotions when someone bad mouths or disagrees with said feelings, not just politics and religion.

Besides this there is also the aspect of the "Culture Wars". Especially in the case of the US. The leaders of different groups actively encourage their audience to think of the "other side" as being a monolithic group with evil intentions. Polemic is big business these days. In America it has meshed with political corruption and sent the country into a kind of death spiral. But it causes problems in arguments about religion also.

Justin you've seen people on here go at eachothers throats over minor aspects of video games and their comparisons to other titles. People get heated and debated when their views on anything are challenged or, worse yet, totally rejected - I think it's fair to say that I have engaged in this behavior before....

but especially politics and religion.

Religion is a way of life: you badmouth that you are more or less insulting everything about them. I can't say much about politics because I have little to no interest in them, so I can't really see the appeal :shrug:

People on this forum can barely maintain their rage in cat v dog threads. Just imagine what would happen if you put politics and religion into the mix.





Except that offense is purely subjective, so its up to the individual to decide if they get offended by the opinion of someone anonymous, random person on the Internet.

Because people are stoopid.

:laugh:

Not to mention the "my favourite ES race is the besterestereststs in the worlds!!!" threads in the skyrim section. :rofl:

This is true, but because of the devotion they have towards it: I don't think they would let it slide so easily. It all depends on the person I guess, though.

Human belief is a powerful thing and can cause a seemingly innocent man to butcher thousands just to make his beliefs known to the world. Be it religion or political it is that sole human ability of "Belief" and opinion that cause such strife. Sad thing is if you were to take those away from people they would have no free will and would be mindless zealots though this already happens in some of those cults.

Hardest thing for a person like myself is having beliefs and trying to share them however making sure you don't cross the proverbial line when talking to someone else.

I believe its because the internet subculture likes to believe that it is intelligent and unique. Thus they often follow a liberal and atheistic point of view and "troll" anyone who has differing views. As a monotheistic and middle of the road type of person I ve never felt the need to make a witty PhotoShop image reflecting my beliefs and diminishing the.beliefs of others. Not saying everyone is like this on the web but people are more willing to incite others often by stating things that simply aren't true.

The thing that I try to keep in mind, with forums and the internet in general - is that I'm never going to convince anyone of anything they didn't already agree with beforehand. I can maybe, if I'm being incredibly loquacious that day, and I'm dealing with someone who happens to be in a particularly good and accepting mood - I might possibly get someone to admit that they at least now see where I'm coming from; and will agree to disagree.

The trouble comes in when... the more deeply a person holds onto a particular opinion, the more difficult it is for them to even be aware of their own subjectivity in the matter. I mean, I see on this forum often enough - it's hard enough to get people to understand quite often that the way they feel about a specific aspect of a particular videogame is an opinion and not a fact.

When you throw something as big and foundational as religion or politics into the mix - all you tend up with is an unstoppable force meeting up with an immovable object.

Are you talking about the god demotivater meme? Because that's a pretty great meme. (never mind the internet, they can be used in real life too!)

Kill your son

jk

If you mean the Jesus drawings that show him being an ashore than no. This are hilarious, I mean the big long charts and posts that simply ridicule religious beliefs entirely and make the poster come as a pretentious dike because he thinks he is smarter than someone who believes in a religion. Arguing either side of the argument is useless because no one will give any ground. Both sides have their craziness but the interent side tends to bully and by bully. I mean antagonize in order to achieve a reaction, more often.

Nah we're talking different things.

It's simple really. When it comes to religion (and to a lesser extent, politics), I firmly believe that my point of view is the most valid one. This isn't something I feel when, say, I'm partaking in a discussion about the best movies release this year, or something equally as trivial. It's not that I'm not open to hearing other people's viewpoints on these subjects, it's just that time and time again I hear the same counter arguments and none of them carry any weight. And unfortunately when I'm pulling apart things that people often hold very dear (not in a hostile way, just the way you would in a standard debate), they tend to get very defensive and rude.