Or they have a third reason, like that they think their religious views happen to be true but that whether they’re true or not doesn’t actually affect most people’s day-to-day lives, and they don’t think it matters if you believe the same as them.
And why do you want to convince people when (you think) they’re wrong?
Or they have a third reason, like that they think their religious views happen to be true but that whether they’re true or not doesn’t actually affect most people’s day-to-day lives, and they don’t think it matters if you believe the same as them.
Oh to be sure, such religions exists. For example, most classical forms of Judaism believe that non-Jews aren’t obligated in the 613 commandment. But, that still means that not convincing people is letting people remain fundamentally ignorant about extremely basic aspects to the nature of reality. That’s not cool.
But note that even then, there are clearly people who aren’t doing that. Consider for example, how many evangelical Christians there are who believe that people who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal lord and savior will burn in hell for eternity. How many of those slack off and aren’t spending most their time trying to save us? They claim to think that the consequences of not believing is eternal torture. How can that not matter?
And why do you want to convince people when (you think) they’re wrong?
A variety of reasons. First, I intrinsically value truth. Second, in general, humans will do better having a more accurate understanding of reality (there are likely some exceptions to this but the general pattern seems clear). Third, (connected to 1 and to 2) I’d like to live in a world where people do try to correct each other when wrong (this also has a selfish element. If I live in such a world, then I get to be corrected when wrong.) and by trying to convince people when I think they are wrong, I am contributing to making the world more that sort of world.
Oh to be sure, such religions exists. For example, most classical forms of Judaism believe that non-Jews aren’t obligated in the 613 commandment. But, that still means that not convincing people is letting people remain fundamentally ignorant about extremely basic aspects to the nature of reality. That’s not cool.
To their credit, I suppose, the Lubavitcher Chabad people are promoting a Noahide movement for us gentiles, of which I’m sure you’ve been made aware. This movement has some interesting implications. For instance, I have a book in front of me which suggests that (if I believed) it would be kosher for me as a gentile right now, in 2011, to set up a private altar and make an animal sacrifice to God. Also, I’m supposed to set up courts of law that can administer the death penalty for violation of the seven laws of Noah. Women and slaves can’t be witnesses.
“Oh to be sure, such religions exists. For example, most classical forms of Judaism believe that non-Jews aren’t obligated in the 613 commandment. But, that still means that not convincing people is letting people remain fundamentally ignorant about extremely basic aspects to the nature of reality. That’s not cool.”
That depends if you think the other people care. In my experience, most people don’t. In which case it would be ‘not cool’ to bother them about it.
I do agree, however, with your example. If you believe in a literal Hell for nonbelievers then it is your absolute, overriding priority to prevent people from going there. However, not all religious people hold those beliefs, and it’s unfair to the ones who are capable of amicable disagreement to tar them with that brush.
Or they have a third reason, like that they think their religious views happen to be true but that whether they’re true or not doesn’t actually affect most people’s day-to-day lives, and they don’t think it matters if you believe the same as them.
And why do you want to convince people when (you think) they’re wrong?
Oh to be sure, such religions exists. For example, most classical forms of Judaism believe that non-Jews aren’t obligated in the 613 commandment. But, that still means that not convincing people is letting people remain fundamentally ignorant about extremely basic aspects to the nature of reality. That’s not cool.
But note that even then, there are clearly people who aren’t doing that. Consider for example, how many evangelical Christians there are who believe that people who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal lord and savior will burn in hell for eternity. How many of those slack off and aren’t spending most their time trying to save us? They claim to think that the consequences of not believing is eternal torture. How can that not matter?
A variety of reasons. First, I intrinsically value truth. Second, in general, humans will do better having a more accurate understanding of reality (there are likely some exceptions to this but the general pattern seems clear). Third, (connected to 1 and to 2) I’d like to live in a world where people do try to correct each other when wrong (this also has a selfish element. If I live in such a world, then I get to be corrected when wrong.) and by trying to convince people when I think they are wrong, I am contributing to making the world more that sort of world.
To their credit, I suppose, the Lubavitcher Chabad people are promoting a Noahide movement for us gentiles, of which I’m sure you’ve been made aware. This movement has some interesting implications. For instance, I have a book in front of me which suggests that (if I believed) it would be kosher for me as a gentile right now, in 2011, to set up a private altar and make an animal sacrifice to God. Also, I’m supposed to set up courts of law that can administer the death penalty for violation of the seven laws of Noah. Women and slaves can’t be witnesses.
“Oh to be sure, such religions exists. For example, most classical forms of Judaism believe that non-Jews aren’t obligated in the 613 commandment. But, that still means that not convincing people is letting people remain fundamentally ignorant about extremely basic aspects to the nature of reality. That’s not cool.”
That depends if you think the other people care. In my experience, most people don’t. In which case it would be ‘not cool’ to bother them about it.
I do agree, however, with your example. If you believe in a literal Hell for nonbelievers then it is your absolute, overriding priority to prevent people from going there. However, not all religious people hold those beliefs, and it’s unfair to the ones who are capable of amicable disagreement to tar them with that brush.