I've been a believer over 40 years and throughout that time I've met a lot of good people, yet I've also seen Christians become abusive to other Christians over doctrinal differences. A believer that I respect said to me a long time ago: "Christians like to cut other Christians up."
Why is this?
How can those who claim to have Christ's spirit within turn around and abuse another believer just because he or she has a difference of opinion? Why do they think it's okay as long as they think it's "for the Lord"?
It's okay to disagree yet we see people cross the line and start getting downright MEAN.
James 3:10
“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
I think the reason is vanity, wounded pride.
Religion can be attractive to people since you can hold almost any view and say no one can prove you wrong. It's a lot safer than dealing with the news or science since someone might prove you wrong in those areas. Why, you can even promote yourself as an authority in religious affairs; and others who know they don't know might be impressed. Thus I conclude that religion attracts some people because they're losers in other areas of life; but they can pretend to be experts in religion. Oh my, this can be gratifying to the ego.
Tell someone with this affliction will feel emotionally distressed if others dare to disagree. His feeling of self worth is threatened.
Realize this: Some people who get obnoxious over religious differences are actually unsure about things themselves since they're just putting on an act. Others may feel if they dare question their own beliefs, they might be damned or something. All these are obvious signs of weakness to an unbiased observer; but the afflicted person has too much at stake emotionally to admit it. Often the more people argue with them, the tighter they hold onto their opinions and claim to know things when they actually don't.
I suspect some of the more abusive cases that show up are basket cases in real life. They managed to alienate almost everyone else in their lives by being so aggressive and trying to domineer them; then they show up in forums and act the same way.
The real question then is if there is anything that can be done to help them? I think the answer is yes. If they can learn something about life on a forum, then they could apply it in their real lives. I have some suggestions then.
1. Never let them win by being angry and mean. That doesn't mean you have to agree with them; but you never tell them they're right if you honestly don't agree.
2. End conversations if they get too unpleasant and tell them you don't think the conversations are going anywhere. Ignore them for bad behavior.
3. When they do say something pleasantly and rationally in other places you agree with, go ahead and agree. Be as pleasant as you can be. This is an attempt to reward them to good behavior. If their goal is to get attention, you want to teach them that they need to be pleasant if they want your attention. If they want to be rude, you'll ignore them.
Perhaps their parents didn't raise them the right way. You may see parents telling a child no in a store when the child wants candy. If the child throws a fit, that tells you the child has learned he can often get what he wants by annoying his parents; and if you see the parents buying the candy, that's a clear sign the child has learned the wrong lessons in life. He can get candy by throwing a tantrum.
4. If you see others being snared by this type, you can suggest to them to opt out of the unpleasant situation, either by private message or a short post.