Why are people offended by insults?

[Edwardo Piet]

If the insult said to me doesn't apply to me then I don't see why I'd care.

So this is all a matter of perspective of course.

I am disgusted at the thought of being a Creationist, but if someone was to call me one as an insult I'd of course laugh at them, being the atheist that I am. I don't see why not to respond this way with all other insults. After all, person A might call me a "bastard" and person B might call me a "Creationist", if I considered both to be untrue and not to apply to me... I don't see why I'd be more bothered by the former, considering I'd rather be a bastard than a creationist

EvF