Why do theists think that religion should be accepted and respected? It's not race or sexuality, you choose...

Question

When people with "non-personal" differences interact, the intellectual thing to do is disregard their skin color, their sex, their sexuality, their height etc... when considering their ideas. It is not part of who they chose to be. But a religion is personal. Choosing a religion, or any religion, is like choosing a political affiliation. It is an all-encompassing doctrine that should be the most carefully scrutinized decision of their lives. But instead, most are just born into it and have not scrutinized it.

When people with this type of personal religious difference interact, and there is a clash, people should be ready to defend their positions. Theists tend to "brick-wall" at this point. Why do theists think their religion should be respected rather than scrutinized? Especially when people vote, and affect others in various ways, based on their religious morality.

Answer 1

I personally don't care what you think of my beliefs. And not being a racist is not an intellectual decision, but a moral one, to clarify.

Answer 2

Everyone should have a right to have their opinion respected, regardless of how ignorant someone else thinks it is. They also have a right to express their opinions...if one does not wish to hear the message, they should simply not listen. Much like this forum; if you think a question is ignorant or offensive, then skip it and move on. There is no need to get ugly about it. I agree that religion should be chosen after intense scrutiny, but obviously not all people do. Some people have a more open mind than others. A lot depends on society and the mores or values belonging to those particular peoples. Some of it depends on what they were taught from childhood.
Look at people who abuse their spouse, 9 out of 10 have grown up witnessing the same abuse and not realized that there is a better way. Religion is something that once you are old enough to explore at any great length, you should take that opportunity. You should not feel like what you have been told from one set of people, even your parents, is 100% true. However, once one has chosen a religion or ploitical party then they have a right to believe what they want, and no amount of shouting is going to change their minds unless they decide to look into your opinion as a possibility.

Answer 3

That's why they are so keen to retain and extend blasphemy laws in UK to cover all religions rather than to abolish it so that they can then gag you, there is no other reason, and crying offense is an attempt at the same thing, they want to shut you up and they want to do it real bad, I wonder why?

If I find your beliefs ridiculous or against all reason I cannot respect them, and I certainly am not going to pretend to respect those beliefs just to humor you, I will try to disabuse you of silly ideas.

Answer 4

i've got self assurance in lots of situations homosexuality isn't a call. the character /nurture debate isn't any longer politically suited. this ability that for anyone to signify that some have a call , is to be considered as a bigot. Political correctness is a thank you to limit freedom of speech. i'm no bigot in the direction of homosexuals and that i help their rights in this society. Political corrects from time to time closes the doorways to user-friendly and clever talk. Bi sexual is a term used many times at present and is likewise a thank you to describe away adult men who're no longer homosexuals, via determination. There are adult men who no longer have intercourse with adult men via determination and who've intercourse with women folk. They exist. that's real counsel. My brother in regulation became as quickly as a gay. he's now heterosexual for 23 years. He might say he's unique.yet might by no ability flow back into homosexuality. he's not a general Christian so the terror of hell isn't what prevents him. He loves his spouse. A gay guy i recognize says his first sexual reports have been along with his Father. he's in an prolonged term dating with a guy and is the least dominant in the dating. i think of his Father's choose for intercourse along with his son stimulated his son's option to be the spouse to his male companion. they look extra effective than happy at the same time. i'm no longer particular this guy became born to be gay. i ask your self whether he could have been a diverse guy or woman if his father had no longer molested him for some years. I settle for this couple as my buddies so somewhat none of this hypothesis concerns. There additionally are adult men who by no ability tend to be interested in women folk. that's certainty. In end : it rather isn't any longer disrespectful to be a careful observer of human habit.

Answer 5

See some people try to avoid hate. People should be able to debate religion, however most people just hate. See there is a difference between debating and hating on religion. This is why thesist say to just accept, because most people don't know the difference.

Answer 6

All systems of belief are based upon faith. I am not required to defend my faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel needs no defense because it is from God. Anytime you approach a person while on an intellectual witch hunt expect to get a brick wall.

Answer 7

Because you, as a non-theist, want your opinion respected don't you. And we're to believe that your lack of a belief in a deity does NOT affect your vote ?

EDIT: And for the answerer above- who is trying to bring "blasphemy laws back ?" I don't know of any Christian/Jewish group doing that. Boycotting what many consider blasphemy or fighting to get what many consider offensive art removed from public funding is NOT bringing back blasphemy laws.

Answer 8

Brilliant question!

Answer 9

Excellent stuff, well done