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People's behaviors can differ regardless of their level of religious devotion or beliefs. Although some individuals who strongly believe in God demonstrate kindness and compassion, others may not exhibit these traits.

Many times I have been surprised to realize that people who considered themselves deeply religious in their faith had a tendency to actually harm others. This made me wonder: What exactly makes people act maliciously when they are religious? Is religious extremism something to be feared? What lies at its core? Here are a few general aspects that I have taken into consideration:

Misinterpreting/ Distorting Religious Teachings

Sometimes, individuals may misunderstand or twist the teachings of their religion, leading to extreme or intolerant beliefs. This can result in judgmental or hurtful behavior towards those who don't adhere to their particular interpretation. Our attitudes and behaviors are influenced by our personal beliefs, experiences, and cultural backgrounds. Occasionally, individuals may hold biases or prejudices that are unrelated to their religious beliefs but still impact how they treat others.

Lack of Empathy or Understanding
Mean or hurtful behavior can break out from a lack of empathy or understanding towards others. This can occur regardless of religious beliefs and may be a result of an individual's character or upbringing.

Group dynamics and social influences
Group dynamics and social pressures can shape individual behavior. In some cases, individuals may adopt mean or exclusionary attitudes towards those outside their religious community due to the influence of their social or religious group. Political systems might also play an important role in group dynamics and social influences.

Personal struggles or conflicts
Individuals dealing with personal issues or conflicts may exhibit mean or negative behavior as a result of their own internal challenges. Religion might not always provide effective guidance or support in addressing these issues. Not to say that people can be affected by mental troubles and their caring and interest for religion becomes only an appanage.

Final observations

These explanations are not exhaustive and universal, and don't apply to all individuals who are extremely religious. Many people with strong religious beliefs also demonstrate kindness, empathy and love. However, unfortunately, religion is a powerful force that sometimes leads to the perpetration of terrible deeds. It is extremely distressing to witness such actions, especially when individuals who are expected to be kind and even perceive themselves as such, find themselves on the contrary end of the spectrum.