that people at least try to respect other's beliefs?
Christians: If you try to convert someone to your religion and they tell you they're not interested, you should accept that and stop bothering them.
Atheists: Try not to bash others just for believing in a deity or deities.
Everyone else: Take the advice I give to Christians and Atheists.
Just because someone believes differently than you do, it doesn't give you the right to bash their beliefs. Nobody believes the exact same thing as anyone else- there's always going to be a difference.
I'm sorry if anyone found this offensive.
2006-09-03 16:31:17 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not only an intelligent request but also an honorable one.... mind you, would it be better that we award you the 10 points instead of you giving it to any of us respondents? also, those who find this query offensive are those deserving to be called disrespectful to themselves...
2006-09-03 17:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by VeRDuGo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You say that we should respect each other's beliefs and that we have no right to bash them. Really? Everyone should behave just as you said?
I disagree. All beliefs are NOT equal. Since your post is essentially "bashing" anyone who disagrees with you, it just proves that you are a hypocrite on this issue and are professing to believe something that you truly don't.
More to the point, it is a fact that the Aztec religion demanded human sacrifices every day to ensure that the sun would rise the next morning. Millions of people held this belief. Is it worthy of respect? Would you REALLY just "stop bothering" someone who believed that because they told you to? Wouldn't you do anything to save all the people being sacrificed on the altar of a false religion?
The religion of the Aztecs is not unique in leading to the deaths of millions. Religions of today may not use a stone altar and an obsidian blade, but they kill just the same. Blind faith is ALWAYS a mistake. It should be confronted, not ignored.
2006-09-04 00:12:21 · answer #2 · answered by scifiguy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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...".
2006-09-03 23:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Most people are self-centered and full of their own ego. They think it's their way or the highway, only they can be correct in thoughts and deeds. Narrow-minded people that can't see beyond the end of their own nose are only harming themselves by missing out on the variety that the world has to offer.
2006-09-03 23:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Please add just one more thing to your request: Religious Americans should should support the separation of church and state guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and not try to force the Christian world view into public science classrooms.
With that added, I would be very happy if everyone would agree to your request.
2006-09-03 23:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Jim L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it really is too much to ask, even though what you say sounds perfectly logical.
It's a matter of maturity, and some just don't have it. They honestly get their kicks teasing and taunting others, I suppose it makes them feel better about their own miserable lives. How sad is that? lol
2006-09-03 23:36:14 · answer #6 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree and I have no idea why some just can't fathom being respectful of others beliefs.
2006-09-03 23:34:39 · answer #7 · answered by Miss. Bliss 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree, I am willing to answer questions about my faith but I am so tired of being told how wrong I am for having my beliefs
2006-09-03 23:37:40 · answer #8 · answered by LatterDaySaint and loving it 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is one of the most rational things I've seen in a while. I'm an atheist,and I strongly disprove of disrespecting others' religions. Honestly, tolerance is not too hard.
2006-09-03 23:46:50 · answer #9 · answered by ethereality 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
"Just because someone believes differently than you do, it doesn't give you the right to bash their beliefs."
I believe it is ok to rape babies and enslave people..is that ok?
See how your argument just falls apart?
2006-09-03 23:41:18 · answer #10 · answered by AiW 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋