Atheitst only(please). If all religion was constructed by man, than shouldn't you just say "respect?"

Question

I'm not closed minded. I'm very open and willing to accept new "ideas". I love "ideas". "ideas" are what make us human.

I've always thought that religion was based upon faith. You know "visualizing" what it is you want to be. Using a reference point to focus your desires upon. To "live" for something. To have a unified passion.... What some would call an idol, or a god, or a deity.

If we really did evolve, than our minds are definitely still primitive. Is that true? We now live in a cultured world. Our minds are very malleable. Fear and joy of the "bicameral" mind. The people who "wrote" the bible knew this. Anybody who creates a cult today knows this. Every business man, every con man, every friend, and enemy you've ever had know this. Heck, even babies stop crying when they hear another babe cry.

The reason I must ask you to "respect" the church instead of trying to tear it down, is because of what the church stands for.

If you follow my reasoning what is there to respect

Before anybody points it out. I know there is no such thing as an atheitst, it was an intentional typo. I don't care if you want to strap a bomb to your chest, or march outside of my house, nor if you want to throw rocks at me, or ask mean questions. Atheists and theists are welcome both the same in my "world"

Answer 1

I respect the church, and recognizes that it helps people with things. I respect them when they respect me. I let them go till they try to force their beliefs on me. The church is people pretending there is something more, and that they are not alone or in control. This is a primitive caveman tactic to explain things like lightning. They did not know what it was, and had to spend time hunting rather than thinking. Something greater did it was an easy way out of thinking. Thus god was created. Some people are still to primitive to live without it, and some just follow the crowd. The church is organized people trying to get comfort from what they don't understand. If they keep that to themselves it is fine.

Answer 2

Some good observations, some not so good, and a whole lot of unnecessary "quotes".

I have nothing against peoples personal beliefs other than worrying about the possibility of others to use those beliefs to take advantage of them. The biggest problem however is that organized religion has begun to expand into places it simply does not belong, namely science and politics. There is an obvious drive behind certain sects to hinder education and experimentation. It seems that some are catching on to the fact that the more we learn the less relevant their beliefs become. Instead of taking the rational route and admitting their beliefs could be wrong, they turn the blame around no knowledge and call it evil for challenging their sacred belief system (which has very little to no basis in reality).

Religion finds enemies in what is best for society as a whole because they are too stubborn to modernize their beliefs.

Answer 3

I 'respect' the US for having the law to separate church & state and freedom of seech (even though some radicals are learning to get around it). But, I do not respect religion b/c it's often used to impose rules on others. They don't respect other people having rights-i.e. in the past, they hardly respected other people's lives, now, they think they have the right to govern how you behave or whether you find something moral or not...and what's especially insulting is that a vast majority have not put as much thought into their belief as the person they're trying to control!
All religions, including Xianity, have lessons we could use but I don't see how anyone could have respect for anything that tries to force their opinion of right or wrong on them or tries to control what they do

Answer 4

Unfortunately, religions do not only preach love and acceptance. They do not only clothe the naked and feed the hungry. They also spend a great deal of time excluding and condemning. They lead people to consider that believing incredible things without question is a virtue and what reason and science reveal to us about the universe and ourselves is evil.

I admire religions for the good they do. We Humanists believe in service to mankind, too. But I cannot respect religions for leading people down the dark path of ignorance and hate.

That said, I also sincerely believe in freedom of conscience. You have a right to follow the path you believe to be correct--so long as you do not try to impose your beliefs on others or stop them from pursuing their own quests for truth.

Answer 5

Duckphup said it perfectly.

In the end, organized religion directly divides the world and causes conflict amongst its people. Why would I stand idly by and "respect" this doctrine.

The "church" stands for peace and love thy neighbor in name only. You only have to look at the "church's" (by this I pretty much mean all churces) actions throughout history, to realize that they are as capable of being as vile, evil, and abusive as any other organization or nation.

So I say the exact opposite, instead of showing respect for the church you should do your best to challenge them at every turn. Their very existence is hindering human social/technological progress...

Answer 6

I can respect, and always do. I am the one who is considered a heathen or monster because I do not follow their rules. Yet I have more morals than most who hold their gods word in my face. I am not a bad person, but the religous say I am for thinking my own thoughts.

Answer 7

Quite often, organized religion stands for wars, intolerance, secrecy and violence. It isn't faith on a personal level that I have a problem with, it's the bureaucracy.

Answer 8

One isn't told to respect lies, deceit and fraud, except in the case of religion. Why do people make such an exception?

Answer 9

I believe that our minds are still primitive, that we have much more left to learn.

I also have respect for churches, and other religions, so long as they have respect for mine.

Answer 10

Where did your question go?