Differing Beliefs & Doctrines Religion can be divisive in society for various reasons, and one key factor is the deeply ingrained nature of religious beliefs and identities. People often hold their religious convictions with great emotional and cultural significance, shaping their worldview and values. When differing belief systems come into contact, it can lead to clashes as individuals may feel threatened or challenged in their fundamental beliefs. Additionally, religious doctrines sometimes prescribe specific moral codes and behaviors, creating a basis for judgments and conflicts when different groups adhere to conflicting principles. In real-life scenarios, this divisiveness may manifest in social, political, or even familial contexts, where disagreements over religious practices or interpretations can intensify existing tensions. The challenge lies in fostering understanding and tolerance among diverse religious communities to promote harmony and cooperation in society.
All of us are trying to figure out the right way to do life, and it's not always clear. And while we are all trying to figure it out, we don't like being judged. Religious systems provide a map to making choices. And when we become embedded within a religious framework, we can all become attached to the idea that we chose rightly, correctly and others, wrongly. Challenges to our choices raise doubts, and doubts are painful. Doubts can be so painful that real dialogue becomes hard as we must enter a real discussion with humility, admitting that we could be wrong.
Religion can be divisive because it often touches on deeply held beliefs and values that define personal and communal identities, leading to strong emotional responses when challenged. I think an issue like pro life verse pro choice highlights this perfectly. Both sides frame the issue according to their beliefs so to a religious person the pro life side is okay with murdering babies out of convenience, on the flip side the pro life side believes a fetus isn't a baby or human life until some later point and sees it as the pro life crowd not respecting a women's autonomy over her body and choices. This is a fundamental moral issue for both sides and both sides likely can't respect the other sides position.