(April 27, 2018 at 10:31 am)Jörmungandr Wrote: When people don't comprehend the beliefs of another person, it's common to rationalize that it's because the other person is stupid, crazy, or a liar. Thinking the other person is stupid or a liar tends to bring out animosity. You notice the same dynamic in any subject where opinions are polarized, for example between liberals and conservatives. It tends to lead people into becoming angry and resentful.
I think a lot of this comes from the emotional investment that we put into certain types of beliefs, and that the amount of resentment and name-calling is directly proportional to the divide between the two positions.
Also, the more a position depends on belief rather than empirical knowledge, the more incentive to take it personally and jump to its defence. Generally we don't go ballistic if someone says "7 x 7= 48" instead of 49, because it's easy to fact-check that.
