Why should anyone respect someone who believes something to be true despite a PERFECT absence of evidence?

Question

Indeed they seem to think that they should be respected even when evidence is firmly against them. They claim they are entitled to high political office and power. We don't respect people who believe in leprachauns FOR believing in leprachauns. Why should we make an exception for people who believe in a god, who talk to that god in the hope that he will do things they want him to do, listen to someone in a funny outfit talk about him, and sing dreary songs about him?

So all you who expect to be respected FOR believing - it's different from not being respected at all, but for thinking you are somehow SPECIAL for having bind faith - are you all ready to throw your respect at someone standing for President who claims to be an atheist? If the answer is no, you are free to live with your hypocrisy.

For my part, I am happy for people to believe whatever they want. Can you say the same? And can you respect them for it? Common courtesy be hanged.

Answer 1

I respect them because I know that belief, beyond being dogmatic, represents a belief in certain ideals, like the ideal that love can unite people and end suffering. I know there is no realistic evidence that this is ever going to happen, and I know that it is much easier to give into cynicism, and stop working towards the little good, because the great-big good is never going to happen. It is that faith in the goodness of humanity which I respect so well.

Answer 2

I good person who is in touch with their spiritual person would argue that there IS evidence. As an atheist, you are naturally missing the evidence, so how could you not feel the way you do? But if you were me, you would feel the glow that is deep inside you. You would know about all the times that things were so bad, with no apparent possibility of success. You say a little prayer, and suddenly a positive resolution occurs to you. You would not know about the times where you felt that little spiritual push, just when you really needed it. You would not know the joy that is felt inside, knowing God is with you. When I pray, I can feel his presence. When I do good works, I can feel his presence. I have experienced miracles, as small as they may have been, throughout my life. I am at peace with myself and the world around me. Though it may not all be concrete, it is evidence nonetheless, as valid as a witness' testimony in court.

You can make an argument, a valid one even, that all of this is psychological. But you would never be able to prove it, because you really do not know what I mean. You cannot analyze and evaluate a diamond that you do not have access to. So you really are not in the position to make this argument. There are a lot of judgemental religious people out there, and they fuel a lot of questions like this. Fact is, though, that being a judgemental atheist does not make you any better. One has to question the reason that you wrote this question, just as one would question a Christian or Muslim or Buddhist who wrote something insulting the beliefs of others. Perhaps you are trying to hurt people. Perhaps you are trying to validate yourself. If so, then you are a hypocrite. That is at least as illogical and unreasonable as the beliefs you are arguing against.

Answer 3

I believe in an imaginary God; and I will thank you if you don't get funny.
Same thing goes for church people. They likewise believe an imaginary God, the only difference being that they don't know it's imaginary. And that is not a great difference.

So show a little compassion this joyous season. And don't forget the Catholic priest who was molested by two 17-yr.-old girls -- for an offense no greater than he wanted to preach God. I understand it was done in the rectory. What an outrage. You see what happens when people do bad stuff. Belief in God is fundamental, and I must admonish you for such a libilitous question.

Answer 4

Well, I always thought the respect was an individual thing - I respect individuals, not masses of people.

And I can respect people in spite of their irrational belief (and in the face of evidence to the contrary) that their dog is the smartest dog on earth, or their kids the cutest, or whatever.

Generally I give respect to individuals based on things other than their beliefs; education, intelligence, sense, wisdom, integrity, compassion, charity, humor, etc.

I would hope that if anyone respects me it would be for things lke that.

Answer 5

my friend it is you who has no evidence God doesn't exist. I have all things as evidence he exists. whether things in the heavens or things on the Earth, things in the Earth, even things under the Earth. All things denote there is a supreme creator..If there wasn't there would be nothing to act nor to be acted upon..and even if it could of made it thus far surely it musta passed away by now..or do you jus suppose evolution has evidence that man evolved??Male and female and all other life in 2 seperate forms of male and Female all their organs in their proper place jus happened by chance? O then watermelon jus evolved 2 magically which tastes good and we eat it..comeon dude the chance that evolution with animals and plants delicious fruits, the beautiful ocean life js happens by chance ye are silly...even the stars in the perfect order the sun rise day by day the moon shows it's face over and over..everything in its perfect order its perfect season its own kingdom whether it be a greater kingdom or a lesser kingdom...All things denote there is a supreme creator. I shall forever respect you no matter what you think because that is whats right.

Answer 6

I can respect such a person for other reasons, if that person is respectable in those other ways. Unfortunately, many believers want to be respected for their false belief, and it just doesn't work that way.

If you claim to talk with a "god", you're starting out in a hole as far as respectability goes, and you'll need some extra positives to dig your way out.

Answer 7

For the same reason you love a women and hope she loves you back, You don't know for sure she really loves you, BUT it sure feels good THINKING she does!
So what if Santa is not real, it sure feels good to a little kid!!!
And the GOD issue, that is all a personal choice.

Answer 8

Absolutely

Answer 9

It's called common courtesy - in other words showing respect just because they're human too.

Answer 10

because it is called "FAITH".

14. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (New International Version)

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us that are saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18