What makes people so vicious when there is a disagreement about religion or politics?

What makes people so vicious when there is a disagreement about religion or politics Disagree with some one on either of those topics and things get nasty. Two of my coworkers got into a discussion yesterday about the Democratic candidates for the presidency and I couldn't believe how my one usually calm, friendly, always smiling coworker turned into a snarling pitbull who would not concede that there could be any other point of view but hers. Asked by xg6 44 months ago Similar questions: makes people vicious disagreement religion politics Politics & Law > Politics.

Similar questions: makes people vicious disagreement religion politics.

Part of the reason in your example is that the two politicians are fighting for the same nomination. Right now there is a lot of heat going on between Obama and and many people who support each candidate are passionate (to the point of insanity) about their particular choice, esp. Since who will get the Dem nomination is so close.

Generally speaking, there's a reason why smart people avoid discussions of religion and politics in social settings, and I'd imagine that applies even more in a work environment. They are very personal, very loaded issues. The last thing you want is to start throwing words or objects at people related to you, or ones you have to work with (assuming you still have a job after a virulent political argument!) I just think people who indulge in these discussions in inappropriate environments aren't thinking, or have no self control, or are just forgetting what the reason is why they are where they are (i.e.

, if you're at work, you're not there to argue politics, unless you're a pollster or something. ) The best way to look at it is before you get into the scuffle, to determine whether or not a complete severing of a relationship would serve your life, because too often, that IS the result of a political or religious debate. Work just isn't the place to do it.

I'm sure the boss would agree. Sources: experience and common sense .

Because we internalize these subjects... We often use both of these to define ourselves, our families, our view of the world and what meaning we have in it. It is similar to our ethnicity, our nationalism (patriotism), our place on the economic ladder, where we live, how we speak and so forth. These subjects are very intimate and very sensitive for many.

Unless you want a fight, you need to avoid these topics entirely. Some people are more pugnacious than others and nothing brings out this predisposition faster than an attack on their beliefs. Most belief that they are obviously right and that the other is in grievous error.

When the other doesn't yield to reason, they want to attack them, to try to force them into agreement. Often, this attack is for the benefit of onlookers who may yet be undecided. It is just tribal and lizard-brain stuff and folks cannot separate an attack on themselves and an attack on their beliefs.

About the only way I have found to handle it is to say 'let us just agree to disagree'.

Because you are disagreeing with their belief system, which is their identity People can disagree on the weather or on sports and not take it personally. But when you disagree on politics or religion, you are indirectly questioning (or criticizing) their essential set of beliefs, whether you mean to or not. As a result, they feel threatened, because when you question their beliefs, you are essentially questioning or doubting their identity.

And it is a natural inclination to defend an attack on one's 'personhood'. There are a few - a small minority - who are intellectually honest, and morally strong enough, to discuss things like religion and belief in a detached and objective way. But there are far too few of these people..

Disagreements I think everyone is entitled to their opinon about any subject but that does not give them the right to name call or be vicious. I am a believer and some aren’t, I have friends who don’t believe and I may not agree but I respect it. I will state my facts and leave the discussion if it turns ugly.

What I can’t stand is for someone to label me as a Religious fanatic or give me a low score because they do not believe my point, this should be based on my content and the points I have made. If more people would put on their question that it is for believers or non-believers only then some fighting might ease up but I doubt it. You will never be able to stop some who get so worked up that they have to resort to name calling .

Every one should agree to disagree and not allow any one to goad them into an argument that gets out of control. Sources: personal opinion feisty_sugar's Recommendations How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic Amazon List Price: $14.95 Used from: $30.98 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 9 reviews) .

Insecurity and a lack of maturity... insecurity and lack of maturity...

Published in 2008 by a prof. From columbia uni about the role of religion in politics, entitled "the? God." "Is it possible to disagree on religion and politics and still be friends?

" "Do you think we are capable of having a great DB without politics ,religion,or mud slinging? JUST WONDERING?" "Why is it so difficult for us to engage in thoughtful discourse on here when we talk about politics or religion? " "In your opinion,in today's day and age are people more passionate about politics,or religion?

" "If "Politics makes strange bedfellows" is really true, should we really care that much who are elected officials are" "They say you should never talk religion or politics in social situations.Do you obey that rule or let it all hang out? " (15 answers) "Why do people see Noam Chomsky as an authority on politics when he was trained as a linguist? " "Does anybody in politics really care about health care or are people who die or suffer" "When are people going to say enough is enough when it comes to using our children in politics?

Published in 2008 by a prof. From columbia uni about the role of religion in politics, entitled "the? God.

If "Politics makes strange bedfellows" is really true, should we really care that much who are elected officials are.

They say you should never talk religion or politics in social situations. Do you obey that rule or let it all hang out? " (15 answers).

Does anybody in politics really care about health care or are people who die or suffer.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.