Why do fanatics of any religion exist?

Question

Why do regular members of any religion allow fanatics to exist in their religion?

Answer 1

they are probably afraid to stand up to them

Answer 2

There will always be in this old world, people who take simple things to the extreme.  This is what fanatics are.  They do not possess restraint.  It must be taught to them.  Most are never taught.

Answer 3

I guess there would be on one to be annoyed by.

Answer 4

Anyone that practices a "religion" that worships a person that is clearly imaginary is a fanatic.

They are ALL fanatics.  Just not all of them are in a position to express themselves.

These deity-based "religions" are cults, nothing more, and nothing less.

And there is no such thing as a non-fanatical cult member.

Answer 5

If you are going to believe in something....why do it half heartedly?

Jesus fanatic here....

Answer 6

Usually because of narrow-minded ignorance.

They have learned enough to be biased, but not enough to be balanced. Though many religions intentionally restrict the possibility of balance by means of hyper-emotion.

Answer 7

Would you reject someone for being a fanatical devotee? That is contrary to the idea of encouraging active involvement in the community.

Fanaticism is often a result of disenfranchisement with all that is not the religion. This is particularly hard to overcome where the religious community itself preaches ideological distance from the physical world. Sometimes, the best way to go about it is to introduce social engagement - outside of the scope of the religion itself - into the drive and purpose of the group itself. A religious community who engages in social work is far more likely to self-moderate than those who are purely intellectual.

Answer 8

Are you saying that all the Jesus freaks and Darwin-worshipers should die?

Do you want the world to be boring?

Answer 9

Put yourself in the shoes of this "fanatic". Certainly you would not call yourself such way. You might even question why some people question your own very beliefs. Who are we to judge and label others? if we do then don't we give them the right to label you as well? It seams to be a matter of perspective or better yet, perception. Of course you can find like minded individuals who would agree with you, but does that really help? Wouldn't it be better if instead of judging someone else we use that energy to improve whom we are? Perhaps then we would not see a fanatic anymore, but someone that is desperately trying to cope with current needs. Aren't we all?

Answer 10

becasue they are all fanatics, its just a matter of degrees and how much time they have on thier hands.

if the most moderate religious person was unemployed, fat and lived in a trailer park, they too would be zealots.

Answer 11

god only knows. hahahahaha

Answer 12

In answer to your first question, for all kinds of reasons, from abusive childhoods, lack of access to diversity, too much access to diversity, depression, sincere convictions, and everything in between.

As to your second question, which is the more important one, I don't know.  Why the mainstream in both religions and politics isn't as vociferous in their condemnations of the extremes as the extremes are in condemnation of each other, I have no idea.  I wish it weren't so.  I once described myself as a militant moderate, because I hate the perception that a balanced viewpoint is wishy washy.  However, that comes perilously close to playing their game.  

I can hope that part of it is just media distortion, and because extremes will get more headlines, the reportage of how marginalized extremists truly are is downplayed.  But that might be wishful thinking.

Edit:  To those saying "who are we to judge fanaticism", I don't think the questioner is asking about people who zealously practice their faith, but those who actively seek the destruction of all other faiths.  When someone straps a bomb to themselves and blows up others, or someone walks into a Unitarian service with a shotgun and fires because they are "too" liberal, I think you can legitimately label those people fanatics.  And for those who say merely "Those are not True Moslems or True Christians" without taking actions to condemn AND prevent such extremist actions, please refer to the "no true Scotsman" fallacy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Sco...

Answer 13

Fanatics of no religion exist also, there is no good reason for any fanaticism regardless of whether it is religious based or not.

Answer 14

I guess context is important. The apostles would have been, and were, considered to be fanatics.....even Christ Himself was considered a religious fanatic.

One thing we often overlook as a hindrance is religious mediocrity, or as the Bible describes it "lukewarmness". Just like harmful types of fanaticism exists, so does harmful lukewarmness exist. I believe we should be just as concerned about that.

Answer 15

Apparently it is some flaw in the human makeup that makes many of those who ascribe to a religion to be fanatics about it.

No one would care what their beliefs were if they kept them to themselves, but they insist upon forcing their beliefs on to everyone else.

Answer 16

It just depends on a persons influences as a child.