Z Is For Zealot

Day 26 of my A to Z Challenge. Z is for Zealot.

If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.

The dictionary definition of a zealot is "a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals."
By the dictionary definition, I suppose you could say I'm a zealot. I have firm beliefs with regards to religion, politics and lots of other things, which I have touched on before. For example, my take on: Religion:http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/religion-fear-and-power-of-mind-27th.html
Politics: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/election-results-and-fallout.html
So as an example, am I a zealot because if someone came up to me and said I think you should convert to "insert any religion here" I would say no? By the dictionary definition, yes.
I think the more accepted use of the term is actually where the person trying to convert you is the zealot. By that definition, I am definitely not a zealot - I have opinions (on everything) but I don't want to convert everyone I meet to believe the same as me. Wouldn't the world be a boring place if everyone mindlessly believed the same thing?
I think it is one thing to have, and share, strong opinions but it is quite another when you try to constantly brow beat people to believe the same as you do. I can't even begin to imagine what a miserable life it must be if you spend all of it trying to make people blindly believe that your opinion is the truth of the matter. It must get so boring constantly defending your opinion to the point that no one else is allowed to have a differing opinion. And imagine if you succeeded. What would you do now there's no one left to convert?
When people try to convert me to their way of thinking, I react in one of two ways. If they are open to reasonable debate, I will happily engage in such and am happy to explain why I believe what I believe. If however, they are never going to accept that I can't be converted, I tend to switch off - eventually they'll get the message!
How do you cope with the zealots around you?

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)


Link to rules:

http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-z-challenge-whos-with-me.html

Link to Y Is For You Decide: http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/y-is-for-you-decide.html

Religion, Fear And The Power Of The Mind 27th February 2015

I should start this post by saying I am an atheist. I believe in science - the big bang theory, evolution all of that stuff that is quantifiable and proven by people way more intelligent than I am.
That being said, this post isn't going to be about bashing religious people.
I have been thinking about why some people are religious and some aren't, especially in these times were science has ultimately proved that God can't exist in the literal sense (I refer here to the Christian God - I don't know enough about other religions to comment).
I think in part, faith comes from a need to explain the unknown. Centuries ago, people believed in a God who pulled the sun across the sky in a chariot, a God who made the seas move and a God who created thunder to mention a few. Over time, we learned how these things actually came about, and the belief in these Gods was no longer needed. Today, pretty much the only thing we can't explain is the meaning of our existence. It makes sense then for people to believe in this being who created us, gave us a home and loves us as his own. When science explains the meaning of life, there will be no more need for religion.
I think faith also stems from fear. Fear of our own mortality - I imagine dying doesn't seem so scary if you genuinely believe that you are going to a better place.
Looking at the Christian bible, I think it projects, for the most part, a moral code that is a good thing to live by. In my opinion, it was originally written as a way of controlling the masses - if you don't live this way you fear going to Hell. That being said, if everyone lived by the 10 commandments, I think the world would be a much nicer, safer place.
Sometimes I wish I could believe in it all. It would be nice to believe in a higher power, someone who would forgive mistakes and make everything ok again, but I just can't do it.
I think the power of the mind is an incredible thing that is often underrated. For example, if I prayed, I don't think it would work, because I don't believe it would. However, if someone who does believe prays, maybe it will. Not because I think God is listening and making it happen, but because the person believes it will work it just could. The power of positive thinking goes a long way.
I don't understand non religious people who think everyone should be the same. If you have faith and it makes you feel good, who are you hurting? By the same token, I can't stand religious people who try to "save my soul" by converting me. Let's all just agree to disagree!
Feel free to comment :)