Can my roommate not tolerate other people's opinions or what?

Question

My roommate, a few months, was watching t.v one day with me. During the commercials, a promo for the news came on and it talked about scientology. After it was done, he got very angry and said scientology is not a religion. Then, I made the mistake by adding on that if people want to believe that stuff, then you should let them. All of a sudden, he starts attacking me by questioning my own beliefs. This little debate went on for a couple of hours and pushed the only girl there out of our living room (by the way, I really liked that girl). He's still a cool guy and I learned my lesson (never talk to him about faith-related material again). But why did he get so pushed to the edge at the mere mention of something challenging his beliefs? By the way, he is a diehard/hardcore protestant and has studied other religions before choosing christianity.

Answer 1

Your room-mate's attitude shows how a bit more tolerance would make a person easier to live with.  

You did the right thing and promoted tolerance.

Answer 2

welcome to the teeny tiny world of......

Fundementalism.

Please wipe your feet before entering the box.  Thank you.

Answer 3

well, in the bible it says you shall have no other Gods before me. meaning Scientology is bad. they believe that you yourself will evolve into a god or something. I mean I have researched alittle bit on it and there are alot of degrees and they are very expensive to do brain washing to make you think your getting some where when your really not. He took offense to it like any other devout christian would.

Answer 4

people believe different things (like you said) and his beliefs just happen to be die hard and it's his way or no way! you're right to just not bring up the subject again.  

Answer 5

It sounds like he is insecure with his own belief system on a subconscious, so any challenge needs to be met with resentment, anger, and defense. As you said, he studied several religions before choosing protestant Christianity. This, to him, is obviously THE true religion. The fact that he had to seek other religions and study them proves that he was insecure with his faith, or lack thereof to begin with. When somebody challenges his new found enlightenment, he needs to justify his decision to himself. I hope this helped.

Answer 6

Why don't you try learning about your faith?

Why don't you try learning about Christianity and Scientology?

To quote G.K. Chesterton "Merely having an open mind is nothing; the object of opening a mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid." , why not try finding the truth.

Getting angry won't solve anything but he is right, there is only one path to salvation and that road is narrow, all other roads lead to judgment!

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." G.K. Chesterton

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

"Truth is absolute and knowable and must be searched for diligently, but many will try to hide it, deny it or muddy it." -   Bai Leung.

Suggest to your friend that getting angry won't work but to follow Paul's example and be willing to reason and debate with them.

Are you willing to learn and search for truth? Your life depends on it.

Todd

Answer 7

his motive for hating the church of scientology may be misdirected, but he's still right.  check out these links to see what the co$ does:

http://www.whyaretheydead.net/

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/

http://www.whyaretheydead.net/childabuse...

http://www.xenu.net/

Answer 8

I think you answered your own question with the terms 'hardcore' and 'diehard'.

  

Answer 9

We all have to come to know God on our own terms.You cannot force a thing like that. Just avoid that subject with him.