People come to believe what they believe, based on what is called "indoctrination." A synonym for that, of course, is "brainwashing." The more frequently a religious tenet or philosophy is pounded into someone's head, the more "fanatical" they tend to become, as a result. +5

i have no idea. but when i meet someone like that, my hope for humanity dwindles a bit.

Because it is "very" important.

Power!! it's all about power over the weak-minded!! :-/ quite sad really, it's a part of human nature to deceive in order to gain recognition & control!! Some say it’s the devil? Nah, just us humans being human!

They have been emotional manipulated since childhood in most cases. Religion plays on the "Us vs Them" mentality. They feel guilt, shame or to fearful to challenge religion (GOD), so they defend it.

A religion can represent a reflection of ones core beliefs and many people will defend the values these beliefs contain with all that they have.

Don't try to confuse them with the facts- their minds are made up.

Some people are also very fanatic about their anti-religion beliefs. Religion is like politics - probably the 2 most controversial subjects on endless levels. And I believe many people on AB bring them up simply because it will generate lots of debate and ratings.

Religion is about proving the "other guy" wrong... It's a self-eddifying tool to express that "I'm right and you're wrong"... Trust me, as an ex-religious "fanatic", that's exactly what religion does to people...

A devout religious person is very insistent on living his life according to his religious beliefs. These people are generally fairly comfortable with what they believe and do not feel threatened by by the opinions of those who do not agree with them. . A religious fanatic is someone who believes that he and everyone around him must their lives according to his religious beliefs. They are threatened by the very existence of different opinions. They don't have enough confidence in their own beliefs to live them, and let others live their beliefs. . In our day and age, and in the United States, fanatics are the ones who try to argue everyone in to submission, and simply will not let a subject go as long as you disagree with them. They are also the ones who resort to name calling and ridicule when logic fails to win their point. . Still, this is an improvement over ages past, and even some places in the world today, where the fanatic, when he cannot win by logic, will attempt to win by the simple expedient of killing those who do not agree with him. This creates a world without dissenting opinion where he can relax, secure in the belief that he is right because nobody disagrees with him. . Note: Fanatics do NOT make comfortable neighbors for anyone but fanatics with identical beliefs, and often not even for them.

well...it's because belief always runs beyond logic...they only express their predominant thoughts...and ignore logic...