Can you truly respect someones beliefs when you do not share them and know in your heart they are wrong.?

Question

I continually hear the phrase; "I respect your beliefs". I had almost convinced myself that this was the enlightened and reasonable stance when faced with someone who's beliefs were diametrically opposed to my own. I had never actually used the phrase though.
I am a reasonable and like to think, somewhat enlightened person. However hard I try, my beliefs about the world are, in my opinion the only reasonable and logical conclusions to draw. I cannot respect someone's belief when I think they are deluding themselves about the way the world is.
What I can respect, is if a person is completely committed to those beliefs and lives every day of their lives in accordance with them. I really respect that commitment.

Answer 1

Amazing... only 6 out of 32 answers actually get it. That's only about 5%, grasshoppers. A few more get it, partially. I'm disappointed... I would expect that around 20% should get it. Whatever has become of subtle thought?

There is more bullshit per syllable in the phrase "I respect your beliefs...", or "I respect the beliefs of others..." than any other phrase in the English language... with the possible exception of "I won't cu..." ... never mind.

The phrase is insipid, politically correct garbage, uttered in an insincere attempt to deflect retribution for the offensive words which usually accompany the phrase. Offensive, because the words usually threaten the beliefs of the listener. Any assertion that conflicts with a held belief is a threat... or at least, that is how it is subconsciously perceived by those who are infected by belief systems.

Yep... that's right... infected. Belief systems are an intellectual infection; an infection that inhibits one's ability to employ critical thought. ALL belief systems are stupid and irrelevant, and so is their basis... 'faith'.

Back to "respect the beliefs of others". Why would anyone want to do that? It is condescending... patronizing... insulting... insincere... intellectually dishonest. Oh, the heck with it.. it's a DAMNED LIE. On the one hand, you think that a person's beliefs are WRONG... harebrained... nonsensical fairy tales... and on the other hand, you're going to claim to RESPECT those wrong, harebrained, nonsensical fairy tales? Hah... I don't THINK so.

I have found that it is very useful, though, to respect everyone's right (in the privacy of one's own mind) to delude himself in whatever fashion he sees fit.

As it turns out, respecting the other's right to delude himself has very much the same result as respecting the other's beliefs. The chief difference, which is not noticeable in ordinary discourse, is that the former is intellectually honest and the latter is not. It is not necessary to go around claiming to respect other's beliefs. All that is necessary, really, is to treat people (those who deserve it, at least) with respect.

If I were to announce, every time that I am presented with someone's belief, that I think it is stupid and irrelevant, then in very short order no one would want to communicate with me, other than to tell me to get lost. This will not do, since I am eager to share views, evaluate the viewpoints of others... to learn. In order to do that, it is necessary to be able to communicate in an orderly and socially acceptable fashion. And even the most ridiculous of beliefs may contain some useful information, or present an interesting paradigm (don't wabt to throw the baby out with the bath-water).

Even though I might THINK that all belief systems are stupid and irrelevant, I must still acknowledge and accept the fact that for SOME people, those beliefs are honestly come by, through critical thought and inquiry, and honestly held. I cannot disrespect a person for that, even if I cannot understand how such beliefs can be derived via critical thought. So, the only ones that deserve derision, scorn, contempt and disrespect are those who would not recognize an original thought if it bit them on their collective butts... i.e., adherents to faith-based beliefs.

So... even though I might think that someone's religious beliefs are stupid and irrelevant, I will try not to remind them of that unnecessarily, and I will try not to disrespect them for it (outside of the privacy of my own mind).

What this comes down to, really, is an appeal for intellectual honesty. DO NOT say "I respect your belief." Instead, say something like "I respect your right to believe that, but...", or "I understand that you see that as truth, but...".

Answer 2

Wow, what a question. I don't think that you can respect them fully if you do not agree with them. I should imagine that you would accept them as the social normality according to the situation they occur in, i.e. something like female circumcision. Its wrong in the uk but wrong if you don't have it in parts of Africa. I don't think that you can hold respect for something you disagree with but you could be accepting of it within a culture. You can cetainly accept a person for who they are regardless of what beliefs they hold, as that particular person is essentially a person and not just comprised their beliefs.

Answer 3

Yes, you may feel in your heart they are wrong but that is nothing to base a judgement on, everyone lives in their own little worlds and often doesnt know half of the evidence required to make a proper judgement, respect is all we can do, our beliefs look as ridiculous and wrong to them as theirs to us. Its a shame we are all so hung up on being right all the time as often, their is no right answer or belief, we believe what we need to, to survive.

Answer 4

Yes. I have colleagues who believe in gods, and who have found a way to use those beliefs to inspire them to noble work. I respect them, and I respect their beliefs. I also know that those beliefs are wrong (in the sense of being incorrect, of course, not morally).

At the same time, it's easy to find examples of people who use the same beliefs to inspire them to act childishly and immorally (notably the creationists and antiabortion folks). In that case they are wrong in both the moral and the factual sense, and I do not respect their beliefs at all.

On top of that, there are also people who share my correct belief that there are no gods, but nonetheless are inspired by that knowledge to act childishly (notably those here who simply come to provoke believers). Needless to say I do not respect that belief either.

Answer 5

I think this is a question you have to ask yourself. Is that the kind of person you are? My opinion is that many people have had their religious beliefs their whole lives and even if they haven't, that is always somting close to the heart. So I think disrespecting someone's religion is alot like disrespecting their backgroud or race, totally uncalled for and rude. But, like I said this is just my opinion, and everyone has to choose for themselves how to treat other religions.

Answer 6

It is more important to respect the person for his agency to choose what faith he wishes to follow. As another poster has stated, we don't have to agree with the different doctrine of faith, but we must embrace humility and reason and appreciate that our friend or relative has chosen a path for his enlightenment and progression in this mortal sphere--all to his good.

God's second greatest gift to man was free agency--that ability we all have to choose good or evil and to make our own decisions in this life. This concept must apply to all.

Answer 7

No, I don`i think it`s possible to respect someones beliefs if you don`t agree with them, you can only respect their right to have that belief. but no one must ever have the right to try to force their beliefs on other people. That includes all branches of religion, and equally it applies to all non-believers.

Answer 8

Yes, of course you can. The thought attributed to Voltaire that says 'I disagree with what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it' is a really good one I think. We should all strive to respect the beliefs of others - the only time that wouldn't apply is if their beliefs directly hurt others, then you couldn't respect them I think.

Answer 9

Well everyone has their own opinion and i think you have to respect that, if it's something that is very obviously wrong then you have to tell that person and let them see for themselves. It usually works out if they sus it with a little help from a friend or partner.

Answer 10

It is their right to their beliefs that you can truly respect. rather than the beliefs themselves.
Whether you can be close to a person whose beliefs are dynamically opposite to yours, depends on what issues those beliefs relate to. Religious faith?- Yes, certainly. Moral conduct? I would seriously doubt it.