Does religion expect its followers to be fanatics......?

I don't think that religion followers are expected to be fanatics. I think that religion followers aare only expected to habe strength in their beliefsand follow in their faith.

I believe it is depends on every individual's attitude and not from the religion itself. I also am following one religion but I understand well that every other people have their own views and belief be it religion, love, and so on. This fanatic behaviour over religion usually comes from someone who could not accept other people views and what they believe. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

No, the followers who interpret religgion become fanatics. No where in the bible does it say BURN THE CHURCHES (how ironic it is that some people do so) also most followers don't even believe they are fanatics (and damned is the person who tries to tell them so) they believe the are right and EVERYONE ELSE IS THE FANATIC. Most religions don't encourage fanatism. However many establishments seem to.

I dont know if any religion "expects" followers to be fanatics or not. I fully believe in God and follow my religion, however I do not believe that I am irrational nor is my enthusiasm unreasoning, so I am not a fanatic. I do not believe that it is acceptable to judge other religious beliefs. That is up to God. I do not belittle other people's beliefs. We all have to choose what we are going to believe and in whom we will believe and put our faith in. I do not hold it against anyone who does not believe exactly as I do.

Nice question. I aroused me to think. I think you're right. That's the nature of religion. That's why before you settle yourself on fanatically believing on a certain religious doctrine, always first be sure that it is founded on solid principles and truth, so you won't be allying yourself with the wrong ones that can lead to destruction.

I don't think there is a religion which expects its followers to be fanatics. There maybe some individuals who are fanatics but it is probably the result of wrong belief. Others also becomes fanatics because some corrupt church leaders manipulated them. In general, I believe all religions have good intentions and wants all its members to return to God's Kingdom.

Hello chayapathys for me FANATIC means..a certain religious individual following what ever their doctrines with out even knowing exactly the real one basically. As long as what their following are supported with biblical truth I think that would not be fanaticism... Thanks... Mobhomeir here...

Hi, chayapathys. I think, the whole notion of religion is highly perspective driven, not just interpretation of a religion. I mean the whole concept that whether an organized religion should exist is a matter of debate; I believe not. But, that's not the topic of this discussion; right! I believe the religious texts that we encounter are so assertive that they introduce strong fanaticism. But, as I said the whole notion of religion is perspective-driven; these religious texts are just refined write-ups from humans (not God(s)) as per their perspective. Simply put, in my opinion, all of the religions contain the same crust and should not introduce any kind of fanaticism. But, over time, the forms the religions have evolved into, under human influence, have caused strong confrontation between the followers of different religions.

Interesting question... The way I see it, in every religion you have the main, core group of those who are what you call "moderate" and those who are more "relaxed", and you have the outer groups who are sometimes leaning toward... extremism. I think it depends on the core group; if they allow the outer groups to go nuts against non-believers or w/e, then it means that religion support fanatics. If the core group does not accept the etremists as their own, protest against them and act to make them stop their extremism- then there you have a religion that doesn't want fanatics inside of it. It all depends on the followers honestly.

It actually depends, like you said, on individual thinking. Religion is for all. You can pour water into a bowl or into a bottle and it will take the shape of its container. Religion is somewhat like that. Religion can bring you a feeling of fulfillment that was otherwise unaccessible, but it can't change your basic characteristics. However when religion is assimilated as spirituality then the person himself becomes more liberal and independent. We don't see this kind of independent thinkers quite frequently in our lives. When you have nothing else to do then you usually resort to only one thing. Fanaticism is often instigated by people who are not related to religion in any way. They use other people's minds to serve their purpose.

I follow my religion not out of choice. I follow it because I am born into it. I believe everyone else also follow their religion for more or less the same reason. Only few opt for another religion for some reason or the other. Most of the people do not become fanatic isolationists just because they are the followers of their religion. Only some are motivated by irrational enthusiasm for the religion they follow because their own faith is in doubt. They think if they try to understand the concepts of other religion it would shake their faith in their own religion. Aim of every religion ought to be an attainment of godliness. Most of the religions ask their followers to attain godliness through devotion and adoration, while others ask their followers to attain a divine nature through acquisition of knowledge. There are some who think that it is possible to attain godliness through mastering the opposing tendencies. It is the ardent belief in their precepts that makes people fanatics. When they become too much obsessed with their religion they refuse to see other's point of view and demand that others too must see what they see.

The fanatic people you mean don't really get their religion right.In any religion,it says to love and respect your neighbor no matter what difference they have.These people forget this and do all sought of nonsense and develop hate and anger to other religions.So much for their faith and passion for their religion.I really hope,this thought or feeling would go away from the people and have religious peace in this world.

I don't think that we have to be fanatical regarding anything. Religion is an intimate thing and we should live with it as a part of our life and let the religion have a good influence on our lives. I may or may not like other religions but this is my problem and I don't have to show it. However, I think many would prefer everybody to follow their religion, for not having another reason to fight or discriminate for.