(If you demonize) Why you demonize "the other"?

Question

Other Gender

Other Culture

Other Race

Other Religion

Other sexual preferences

Demonizing the other, if you do why?

If you don't, why do you think some people have this need?

I have my own opinions, I am just curious about other points of view

Thanks

Answer 1

Makes things a lot easier to have an enemy to unify against.

Answer 2

Because if it don't look like me, act like me, share the same believes as me, and Lord knows, worship like me, and want to do precisely what I want it to sexually, it hasta be a DEMON what comes from h**l!!

Answer 3

Ooh how fun! Let's all demonize the demonizers!

:-P

Answer 4

Personally, I think it's not only fear (of the 'other' or the unknown) but also a bonding thing ~ a group of people forms bonds through similarities, and to demonstrate their bond they can show the 'other' as an example of 'not us'.

As the group forms a community, the bonding becomes more formalised and codified and the 'other' becomes more extreme by contrast, until the 'other' ceases to be recognised as a difference and becomes an alien.

You see it in tribal groupings where people are suspicious of someone who has a different hairstyle or wears a different colour apparel, even if other aspects of their presentation and cultural background are similar ~ in fact, in some cases ESPECIALLY where the cultural background is similar.

It also strikes me too, that it is part of the way people work together to try and make sense of the world, and make it feel safer and more comfortable. If we can convince ourselves all is well in our own little corner, we can live lives without so much fear and stress.

But if we embrace the 'other', and look for change, we have to be ready and willing for wherever it will take us ~ which may not be so safe and secure!

Cheers :-)

Answer 5

humans are essentially weak pack animals.  Life is very scary and confronting if you actually look into yourself and stop projecting.  however this self observation eventually strengthens and becomes rewarding to self and those around you. great question thankyou.

Answer 6

I've demonized those that have hurt me tremendously and/or forced me to do things I never would have done willingly or held me back from doing things I so badly wanted to do.

-First Christianity as I was forced to attend church for 18 years even though I lost my faith when I was 9. It wasn't fair to blame all Christians-but to me they were the enemy forcing me to pretend I believed something I found disgusting and ignorant and hateful otherwise I was physically threatened and beaten if I did not. Some Christians do not allow dissent.

I know many take comfort in their religious beliefs; I take comfort in knowing I don't have to have any beliefs of any kind!

-Next the male gender since I was attacked as a child and as an adult. I knew not all men were violent-but just how do you find out who is violent and who is not-when some people can hide their tendencies and lie so well? Now I'm wiser but I'll always be wary-not of men but of those who can so easily hide their evil with a veneer of civility.

-Then the female gender as I was told over and over I could not do things because I was female and this not only by men but by women. I could not believe how many women were the enforcers of sexist propaganda. It took a long time to accept that some women hate their own gender and will do anything to hold women back from doing what they want.

-Culture-I despise the obsession with wealth in the US and the culture of blame that is used to justify poverty and disease and ignorance. I find the denial of classism and racism revolting when it is so evident every day. I can not believe that many people actually think they can not be racist because they are "nice".

-Sexual preferences: I'm bisexual but I actually had the hardest time accepting being bi. There is a whole L*****n community that has a rich history and culture. I was a part of it for a long time. Whereas bisexuals are neither lesbians or g*y nor are they heterosexual. I just didn't want to believe once again I would be the "other". But there it is.

Answer 7

Its a fundamental part of human behaviour. The mechanics of it are discussed as 'social identity theory' but basically its what people do - gang together and point the finger of blame at others. This is one of the reasons that I think the feminist idea of the oppression of women by The Patriarchy is very suspect; it is a cheap and easy way of drawing women together as a group to scapegoat the outgroup i.e. men. (It also ignores the fact that many aspects of the male role were worse than the female role e.g. drafted to fight wars, but that's another story).

I would like to say that we can overcome this part of our  nature, but the evidence suggests that it is pretty much a social reflex.

Answer 8

Uh, huh-why feminists? hmm? hmm?

Answer 9

Ignorance is bliss. I don't do it - much. :)

Answer 10

I get rather "annoyed" when people come to my door trying to sell me on their religion.  Gender, culture, race, or sexual preferences don't bother me.  I don't "demonize" I respect everyone elses religion but I don't like having something I don't believe in relentlessly shoved down my throat.  That's all!

Answer 11

people are scared, and have their own insecurities, so they feel the need to put others down, because it gives them a sense of superiority. it's actually very sad and annoying.

Answer 12

For those who are weak or irrational in their beliefs, it is easier to cast doubt on their 'opponents' - or others - rather than have to justify one's own stand.

We see it all the time in this forum...instead of discussing the merits of their own beliefs, it is much easier to demonize the beliefs or words of others.  Sadly, this is often done with sarcasm, the lowest form...

Answer 13

I don't demonize anyone.

I think that people that do it do it because they are prejudice for some reason, they have decided to hate a particular group. And probably that they have an inferiority complex, they feel the need to push others down to make themselves feel big.

Answer 14

Other gender? I dont...( drawing little demon horns on all the male avatars) what?

Other culture? nonsense..i would never(writing America rawks! and you dont )...do that! :P

Other race? atrocious! ( white pride!) just atrocious!

Other religion? they can do as they wish ( 666)..

other sexual preferances? i have no problem with that at all...( everyone is gaaaaaaaaaaaaay)

ok ok..obviously i am making jokes..as i often do...so no one get ur panties in a twist..( men included)

i personally have nothing against any of these things. but some ppl have a fear fo what they do not understand...

dammit Kendrick im only going on 5 hours of sleep and now my brain just exploded reading that! thanks alot!

Answer 15

I demonize those demonizing types who demonize those that would never demonize anyone who is not a demonizer.

Wapowww.