Tolerance is fine, but why should we respect peoples religion?

Question

If someone tells me that thunder comes from the Norse god Thor and I know for a fact that it comes from the sudden heating of the air, why dould I respect their opinion?
Is it not my duty to correct them?
Am I not justified in ridiculing a belief that is clearly wrong?
How can soceity make progress if we accept everybody's belief to be equally valid even if we know who'se correct?
Also applies to evangelist denial of evolution etc etc.

Most of you are mistaking tolerance for respect.

Answer 1

The question is not one of respect or tolerance, but of harm. The Thor doctrine is fine until you you feel it should be taught in high school meteorology.
The Temple of Thor should not be defiled, nor should anyone turn a blind eye upon seeing its desecration. If someone comes to your door to witness Thorism, you should politely decline.
If Thorists feel they should be allowed to carry 10-lb sledgehammers on the subway because it is a symbol of their religion, they should flatly be denied.
What Thorists discuss with other Thorists is a personal matter not subject to open criticism.

When Thorists start claiming that ancient glass, formed when lightning struck sand cannot be older than Thor, the floodgates open. Those who abandon the Truth of Thor and start packaging a collection of lies and misrepresentations as "Scientific Thorism", should be subject to unrestrained mockery for their hypocracy in defense of a purely politcal doctrine.

Answer 2

As Pope John Paul II said, "Faith can never contradict reason." Yes, people who hold beliefs that are clearly factually incorrect should be taught the truth. This doesn't mean you should ridicule them, however (and ridiculing their beliefs is really just indirectly ridiculing them). First of all, I don't believe such treatment has ever won converts. Second, people just shouldn't be ridiculed. It means you're looking down on someone, rather than treating them as an equal who just needs a little guidance.

Answer 3

Hmmm, this is a no brainer. If you think it is fine, then why would you ask? How about this, do you know what tolerance means? Ever committed any mental energy into determining what it means for you. Or are you one of the millions who is UNWITTINGLY content in proving that you actually do not know?

Answer 4

as a Muslim i can respect Christians and Jews cuz their religions are mentioned in the holly Qur'an as true religions from Allah,but i cant respect at least in my head someone who think that his God is a stare,a cow, a flower,the nature,statue...ect for example a cow u know am smarter than a cow how can i obey it !!!

Answer 5

It is not who is correct it is in the Constitution of most modern countries to respect the freedom of religion, so we do.
Human rights, like speech, and assemble, and right to carry arms etc. Surely you don't wish to revert to a Monarchy.

Answer 6

"From the dissensions among Sects themselves arise necessarily a right of choosing and necessity of deliberating to which we will conform. But if we choose for ourselves, we must allow others to choose also, and so reciprocally, this establishes religious liberty." --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Religion, 1776. Papers 1:545

Answer 7

Beautiful site, pl visit.
http://www.hyahya.org/


MATTER: The Other Name for Illusion
http://www.harunyahya.com/matter6.php

Answer 8

I've often wondered that myself. People get offended far too easily, and I'm more than willing to bet we're going to see quite a few thumbs-down ratings on your question from people who can't handle reality.

Answer 9

because we, as theists, are protected by the first admendment to have freedom of religion. you believe what you believe, we believe what we do. respect it.