Do you think that religious fanatics are unsure of their faith?

It depends on the fanatic.

It depends on the person. Some of them may be unsure. Other might be completely sure. Others are probably somewhere in between. I don't think there is some sort of box that you can put all "religious fanatics" in.

Fan of religion??? **taps chin**

No!Just a little overboard.

I think many of them are unsure of the downsides or objectionable aspects of their faith. I mean, how many Evangelists have come a-knockin' on your door saying that Jesus died for you but homosexuals are wrong and should be killed? Most religious fanatics pursue a cause, translated often into selling something, and it's a bad salesperson who exhibits the negative parts of their merchandise. It's not that they're unsure of it, it's that they're unsure that you will 'buy' it knowing what there is to know.

Yes.I believe that only people that in their hearts are unsure of what they believe in need to legitimate their belief by being obnoxious to other people or even committing criminal acts.I had a friend in high school.She was a catholic and very much so.She wanted to be a nun.She was very sure of her faith and very open to discuss and be tolerant.I'm an atheist and we got along very well.That was because we were the only two people in the whole class (at least until the others grew up a bit,we were pretty mature at 14.)that had a faith so we could understand each other even if our faith was so different.I have this strong feeling that bigots and fanatics really don't have in their heart a deep feeling that they are right,because if they'd do they would understand that the "enemy" has the same feeling too.It seem a paradox,right,and maybe is.Also I don't think there's ONE truth,and yet I feel that my truth is so right for me that is the only truth I can live with.

No. They are, by definition, very sure of their faith. I was unable to use the second option because I disagree with the use of the word "too". I think this implies a negative commentary. I don't think that anyone is really in a position to be judging the religious beliefs of others. Actually, the term "religious fanatic" is entirely subjective and relative.

I think mostly they are very devout and convinced that their faith is the "right" one. However, I think many of them are unwilling to question their faith out of (an unconscious) fear that it won't hold up to close scrutiny. Many of them seem to be afraid that if they have to abandon one aspect of their beliefs, then the whole will unravel and leave them with nothing. I'm not sure this all means that they are unsure of their faith, though. I think it just means they are uncritical of it.

I don't know as I try to avoid people like this at all cost!

Religious fanatics are crazy.

Probably not much more or less than their non-fanatical counterparts, they might be trying to prove themself to improve their connection with their faith or something. The term here is religious (adjective) fanatic (noun). If they weren't religious, they might become art fanatics, capitalism fanatics, or britney spears fanatics. Now if the term were fanatical religious people, it might be a bit different. Faith can make one's behavior more extreme though; One would be far more likely to jump off a cliff if they believed they'd live through the experience.

Sure, if you have a mellow faith, but what if your faith calls for propogating the truth and stamping out evil enemies of the truth as ones moral obligation to assist in saving the world? Faiths evolve in there implementation. We don't take over african tribes to convert them, nor storm into old kingdoms crusading with sword and armor anymore. It's the new age faiths of the 60's which looked for the common denominator of world teachings which greatly forced existing faiths to politically shift; suddenly churches that support wars didn't look so wholesome anymore.

I always thought that the moral obligation to harm people who were enemies of the real faith or truth had more to do with the religion than with the faith.Religious fanatics try so hard to adhere to a dogmatic "church" that they forget about their inner feelings about faith.This is a better way to put what I tried to say in my answer.The key word is "religious",more than fanatic maybe.

No

No, they are too sure of their faith, and this is why they are fanatics! They tend to refuse to listen to any other opinions.

Anybody of reasonable intelligence realizes that it is a complex issue and has a certain degree of uncertainty. People who claim absolute certainty are either lying or lacking intelligence.

I don't know.

I think mostly they are too sure of their faith, but somehow think they have to prove something.

Good answer! I think my tired brain was trying to go in that direction, but you said it so perfectly!

I would suppose so. I can't say I've really encountered any faiths that call for killing, butI could be wrong.

I know some religious fanatics. They are by no means unsure unless they are "followers" of a crowd, not leaders, low self-esteem, longing to fit in with a group.

I think that they are very certain in their beliefs but are often misinterpreting the message of the belief system that they claim to follow.

Thanks!
I spend a lot of time around religious people, and every so often I come across one who's fairly fanatical, and that is exactly the problem. But I also meet plenty of very religious people who aren't afraid to question their faith because they know it can stand up to the challenge. I have so much respect for them because they've come to their beliefs on their own terms, and with thought, rather than dogmatically accepting something fed to them without ever evaluating it. However, these people are hardly ever what I would call "fanatics."

They are sure, I think.

Don't get me started on religious fanatics!

I think they are freakin' nuts thats what I think!

It depends. The derivation of the word "fanatic" is "fan" - as in "football fan". Coming to know that definition has afforded me tolerance for these people.
You see millions of people - probably at least half the world each year come to cheer on their selected team. And that's a game. So, I don't mind that fanatics are around. Let them cheer their religion all they want. Just don't expect me to join them on the sidelines.
I voted "depends". It depends on whether or not that individual is unsure of their faith. Each individual would need to be asked to achieve the complete answer. Hey! Come out with a survey! (Oh...you did. Haha)

Fan - To excite, as fire by a fan.
Fanatic - One intemperate in zeal.
Fancy - A visionary notion.
Fantasm - An imaginary appearance, a Fantom; Fancy
Fantastic - Odd, grotesque. Fanciful.

You missed one...

fa·nat·ic n. - a person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause

For fanatics I thought more about people killing each other for a religion than about happy believers shouting their faith at the stars
Like sport fanatics are okay,but if they go to a match and kill someone that likes the other team instead...not a good thing.I'm tolerant but murder it's hard to tolerate.

Why else would they try so desperately to find others to join them?

What? I think murder has been given a bad wrap. I mean, if I didn't get to enjoy mine once-a-day, I think I'd flip. If they outlaw murder I don't know what I'd -- wha? They have made it against the law? Aw, jeze. What's this world coming to?
(Just kidding. Yes, I agree.)

Wow a murder a day is hard to do...you have to plot it in the night I guess...or you enjoy a manslaughter a day and reserve murders for the weekend?

That's more like it, really. I was in a bragging mood earlier. Haha!

I was basically pointing out that (pop-star) 'fan' came from 'fan-atic' like words, not the other way around. They fan their icons with fantasmal visions.

They're so unsure of their faith because they don't even know what it's really about... which is why they take it to an extreme.

This whole survey is idle speculation unless some of us know some religious fanatics. I don't.

I also respect people who evaluate their own beliefs rather than just following along blindly. That goes for other beliefs besides religion, too.

I guess it depends, but for the most part, I'd think that they would 'think' that they were pretty damn sure of their faith.

Some people really believe strongly about their faith, but others try to play it off, acting as though they really believe, but as soon as no ones looking they are doing exactly the opposite of what they preach. Like I said in another survey, I'm an Atheist, but it doesnt mean I have never picked up the bible. It says dont cast the first stone and dont judge people; Well theres alot of people claiming to be religious, but not living as they should for the beliefs that they have. Some people really do try to follow their beliefs and if they mess up its not to their own knowledge.

No if they were unsure of their faith they wouldn't act so dramatically. They are TOO sure of their faith.

Very unsure. like you must fill up your head constantly before the doubt sets in.

Generally I think they are sure in their faith. I've never imagined religious fanatics to be particularly deceitful (quite the opposite), so when they say they are faithfully religious, I usually believe them. They may be compensating for some lack, but I don't think it's a lack of faith.

Why believe in something if you aren't 100% sure?

I know some religious fanatics and can't stand to be around some of them. Some seem normal and don't talk about their religion. I think people who become really hooked on religion would become hooked on something. They are the type of people that go overboard. So, if they weren't hooked on religion they might be drug addicts, alcoholics...

I had a neighbor like that once. Didn't matter if it was religion, drinking (which would lead to sniffing gasoline by the end of the night), or jumping and shouting on the roofs of dog houses to sell at a parking lot; whatever he did, he was fanatical about it. Hmm.. I recall others like him too now. Fanatical about their religion, but fanatical about anything else too.

Yes,and people prone to addictions is often unsure and weak.So maybe my question isn't so paradoxical.

Religious fanatics may be missing out on the heart of their faith. Religion and faith are two completely different things.

So is faith and a vast array of other spiritual qualities. It's like comparing rational thought with cheerfulness, when there exists a whole spectrum of emotions. (Merely elucidating your point here)

they are unsure of who THEY are.

i believe help thine unbelief