Should Atheists respect Christians?

Question

I'm gonna answer my own question here.

I often hear Christians say that we should respect their religion and refrain from questioning it or mocking it.

Well, I say no. Christianity has been responsible for terrible atrocities throughout history. It set science back hundreds of years (by harrassing people like Galileo and Copernicus). And they're still up to their tricks today. Just look at the televangelists taking advantage of the poor. Christians are still getting in the way of progress today. It took them hundreds of years to accept that the Earth rotates round the sun. Now they refuse to believe in evolution and try to block research in stem cells, which may revolutionalise medicine. And worst of all, they cause people to have false hope. What's more, the religion emphasises weakness and subservience (turn the other cheek) rather than dignity and personal strength.

So I see no reason to respect Christianity, no.

And Christians, rather than give insults, show I'm wrong.

Answer 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 want 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

I think the reason ppl thought the Earth was the center of the universe bc of a misunderstanding of the Bible. The Bible verses that describe the movement of the sun are from the perspective of someone on Earth, and from that view, the sun does appear to revolve around the Earth, the church was foolish and didn't realize that. In fact, many influential scientists were Christians. Newton in physics, Mendel in genetics, Pasteur in biology, and Kepler in astronomy. In fact, those scientists thought science was possible bc a rational Creator would create a rational universe.

While some Christians have done terrible things, understand this. The Crusades were a response to Islamic aggression. I've read it started with the Muslims attacking trade routes bc they didn't have the means to support themselves. The Christians then began fighting the Muslims bc they had a right to defend their ppl and their supply lines. Looking back, it may have been wiser to work out a deal with them to include them in trade, but they didn't. What they did do wasn't wrong, it was in defense of their ppl, but it may not have been the best option. I can't say that with certainty, since I haven't done a lot of studying on it.

I don't believe in evolution bc it goes against the Bible, also I haven't read of any proof that life can come from nonlife without intelligent direction.

While the Bible does emphasize avoiding unnecessary conflict, it doesn't mean we can't defend ourselves. As the Christians were doing in the Crusades, we have a right to defend ourselves if we're being attacked. The point of that verse is to have endurance and patience, and try to avoid violence whenever possible, sometimes, however, it isn't.

Answer 3

I think the awnser to your quistion is yes, cause all human in the world deserves to have a opinion, and a personal way to see the world, and we can express it as long as prevails the respect to others. And if someone doesn't want to believe in evolution, or want to give all his money to a televangelist, is absolutely free to do it. There isn't a law against that right?

By the way, do yo know that science created the nuclear bomb that killed in a few seconds more people (incluiding men, women and children) than christianity in all middle age? Does it means tha science is bad? I think it isn't, I think the man can be bad and uses religion, science or nationalism to justify his acts.

I don't know what do you understand for "false hope", but nobody have an absolute true, and what you may see as false, others can see it as true, and there's no way to believe that your way to see it is the right one. Either a good reason to do it.

About turning the other cheek, I think this also is realted to the way of view. May be you think that fighting instead of turn the other cheek demonstrates your own personal strenght or your dignity. But Gandhi was a man who always turned the other cheek, and nobody believes he was weak.

So, as I said above: The reason to respect christians and Christianity is that christians are persons, and as humans they deserves atheists respect.

Answer 4

I think that we should respect people as a whole not what religion they are in or belong too. All of the things you wrote in your question I can agree with, but each person is an individual. Not all of one group is bad or good. It should be based on an individuals behaviors not what that their religion did. So maybe you should look at each person as one and not as an entire group. I am not answering to show you that you are right or wrong, but maybe to find a balance. As for your statement about turn the other cheek, well I have to say that I do this and then I let Karma handle what needs to be done. Karma has a way of making all things right in the end. We might not see it, but trust me when I say it has done its job for millions of years. I don't hate anyone. I leave all of that judgment stuff up to God himself. I didn't apply for his job to judge anyone. So honey please try to look at each person if that person deserves respect or not. There are a lot of good people who are hanging out with some bad ones.
God Bless you

Answer 5

Before I answer this I am not a practising christian!! Just christened that's it!!
Athiest's should not have to respect Christianity as it is something they don't believe in, but I feel they should respect the person who is a Christian. Whatever went on in Christianity in the past, most of them today just seem to want to live a normal life, go to church and do good. As long as they are not trying to push their religion on anyone alse and respect the fact that Athiest's do not believe in God, they can get on.
People should respect all other's beliefs no matter what religion they practice or whether they believe in God at all.
I don't think you're completely wrong at all as I do agree with aspects of what you are saying. Every person has the right to question a belief, but we must respect the fact that the belief we are questioning means a lot to the person whom you are questioning. That is what makes us all individuals and free to make up our own minds about life and whether to follow a religion.
God I do ramble sorry!!! Prob make no sense whatsoever!!!

Answer 6

I think we should all respect eachother, regardless of who we are, what we may have done, what our ancestors have done to eachother.
We need to all love eachother and become more tolerant and accepting of eachother. We need to understand that the path we take is not always the right one. We need to know that the answer to everything doesn't only exist in religion. We need to come together as one, no religions or political parties seperating us.
I will not argue with you on the bad points of Christianity. I don't belong to any form of organized religion. Religion is a personal experience, and too many people mess it up for everyone else. This goes for all organized religion. Even being an atheist is still a religion, in it's own right.

Answer 7

I think that you're seeing religious Christianity. What people don't understand is there's religious Christianity that people see all over the news and TV today....(like the pope ruining things for Christianity)...and there's the real Christianity...the one where people have a relationship with Jesus Christ. A lot of the time people do things and throw around Jesus' and God's name while they're doing something for themselves. It's these kind of people that ruin for the rest of the Christians who are really getting what Christianity is all about....loving Jesus. And then you say....'well, how can you love Jesus is He says all of this stuff..." Well, that's where religion comes in and covers up the real Jesus and what He really means in the Bible. Religion is a bad thing and is abusive...like manipulates and makes people do things they don't want to do. But the REAL Christianity is having a relationship with God and following what He says and not what the religious church says.

Answer 8

I think it's silly that you answered your own question without the slightest interest in what others had to say about it.

I also think it's sad that you've made this sweeping generalization based on your personal perception of Christianity. Most Christians will not fit into your narrow perception of evil tricksters. Certainly not any more than most atheists fit into the category of defensive, sullen, hateful people. That would be just as inaccurate.

Every human should treat others with respect. That includes both Christians and Atheists. There is no reason why we have to be miserable in each other's company when we could just as easily get along fine.

The really sad thing is that you asked this question just hoping that you'd get nasty responses from people who purport to be Christians, to prove to yourself how nasty you think they are. Please open your mind.

Answer 9

As a Christian, what I would respect is that each of us have our own opinions and we agree to disagree. If I come to you and we begin to talk and you tell me you are an atheists and do not wish to talk of Christianity, then I will respect your desire to be left alone on the matter and I will walk away. But in my daily prayers, I will remember you. My desire is that you give me the same respect and don't badger or belittle my faith as a Christian, in the same manner I gave you respect.

Regarding televangelists, please don't look at them like they speak for the majority of Christians. They do not, believe me! There are false prophets, and the Bible speaks of them. I'm not saying that every preacher on TV is a false prophet, because that is untrue. There are several I enjoying hearing and are good, Bible believing Christians and men/women of God who do not ask for a dime. What I am saying is that there are false prophets, some on TV, and they certainly do not speak for me as I am not like that, nor is the fellowship of believers where I attend.

Answer 10

Why stereotype ALL of Christianity by the wierdos and false prophets though ?
I mean look at slavery. I am a Christian. I had nothing to do with slavery. But yet I am treated at times as if I personally went to Africa and enslaved, tortured, Africans. And the kicker is my Husband is black (I am Irish)

BTW..Please stop saying that Christians are responsible for terrible atrocities, if you are talking about the crusades, those were Catholics!! I mean c'mon Hitler said he was a Christian..The KKK says they are Christians...give me a break..
Just because someone says they are a dog, doesnt make them one.

Answer 11

Blaming any religion is not the answer.

Judgement of others is what must be rid of.
Guess where judgement comes from?
From a perception that an individual has.

So it is the perceptions that each indivdual has that contributes to their reality and shared reality with others.

By the way the Universe is perfect; there is a purpose for everyone and everything.