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The religious zealot
#1
The religious zealot
I have noticed a trend on this forum, in my life experience and listening to shows like the atheist experience, about common theist traits. This is no way meant to be a generalization, and I'm mentioning no names anywhere. I'll leave it entirely to the reader, without comment from me, to decide which if any theists on this board fall roughly into this category. (I mean mentally decide, I'm not encouraging name calling.)

It is a category of theist that I would call a zealot. (Thanks to Alice for reminding me of that word and how aptly it fits.) I'm talking here about zealotry in discussions, not necessarily in actions. This is a list of traits which I have observed in zealots. Feel free to comment on them, or suggest extras.

Again, I'm not calling anyone out with this. This is just a list of observed traits, throughout my whole experience, each of which any particular person may or may not meet. If they meet most of them, then I would be comfortable labelling them a zealot.

1) They have decided beyond a shadow of a doubt that their religion is the only true religion. If they have any criteria which would lead them to accept they might be wrong, they construct the criteria in such a way as to be impossible to meet.

2) They think their holy book is either entirely the word of God, or close enough for them to respect every word.

3) The truth of their religion is about the most important thing to them. More important than their own family maybe, possibly more important than themself.

4) They don't care whether what they say is true. Even when they make claims which are unambiguously refuted, they will either ignore such refutation or compound more lies on top to try and maintain the illusion of knowledge.

5) When it comes to a debate, all they care about is "winning". They have their own criteria for what it means to be winning, and normally this will amount to always winning any debate they take part in. In an attempt to fool others, or maybe themselves, that what they say actually matters, they attempt to put together vague arguments. However, they don't care whether the arguments are sound, or whether they have enough knowledge to be making such arguments.

6) If reality contradicts their religion, then that means science etc. is wrong about reality. Their version of truth must always be able to be shoe-horned in somewhere, and if so this is sufficient to them to maintain it's viability. If this is no longer possible, they will trash or ignore evidence.

7) They have no interest in learning about subjects which may challenge their beliefs in any way, learning about their mistakes, learning how to debate honestly or learning what their opponent's position and justifications really are.

8) They give off a constant air of arrogance, as if there can be no question that what they say is true.
Feel free to send me a private message.
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Messages In This Thread
The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 27, 2015 at 6:27 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Godschild - January 27, 2015 at 10:39 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Minimalist - January 27, 2015 at 10:55 am
RE: The religious zealot - by dyresand - January 27, 2015 at 11:09 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Spooky - January 27, 2015 at 11:26 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Brian37 - January 27, 2015 at 11:44 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Drich - January 29, 2015 at 12:19 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Thumpalumpacus - January 29, 2015 at 1:09 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 27, 2015 at 10:44 am
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 27, 2015 at 11:22 am
RE: The religious zealot - by vorlon13 - January 27, 2015 at 11:38 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Strider - January 27, 2015 at 12:00 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 27, 2015 at 12:45 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by Fendon - January 28, 2015 at 6:06 am
RE: The religious zealot - by vorlon13 - January 27, 2015 at 2:17 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by Norman Humann - January 27, 2015 at 2:24 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by dyresand - January 27, 2015 at 2:28 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by vorlon13 - January 27, 2015 at 2:29 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 28, 2015 at 2:13 am
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 28, 2015 at 3:55 am
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 28, 2015 at 6:11 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Fendon - January 28, 2015 at 6:35 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Brian37 - January 29, 2015 at 11:56 am
RE: The religious zealot - by Tonus - January 29, 2015 at 12:07 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 29, 2015 at 1:12 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by Faith No More - January 29, 2015 at 12:24 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by Drich - January 29, 2015 at 6:36 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by Norman Humann - January 29, 2015 at 6:38 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by Ryantology - January 29, 2015 at 6:38 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by watchamadoodle - January 29, 2015 at 9:02 pm
RE: The religious zealot - by robvalue - January 30, 2015 at 4:23 am

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