What does it mean to "respect someone elses religious beliefs"?

Question

Does it mean that you can never disagree with their practices?

Does it mean that you can never ask questions about that which you find inconsistent or objectionable in their scriptures or doctrines?

Does it mean that you can never oppose attempts to legally impose their behavioral standards or "divine mandates" on you?

Does it mean you must always allow them to do whatever they want if it's in accordance with their particular faith?

Mr D, there's no need to shout.

Answer 1

Respecting another's beliefs involves four things:

1. You do not attack the person at all, but only the belief (and perhaps the object of the belief, e.g., God, Jesus, Krishna, Hell, the existence of souls, etc.). Therefore, no ad hominem attacks can be considered respectful.

2. You may tell the person where your beliefs differ, and why. This kind of presentation can be a simple statement, followed by a comparison, or ideally it will summarize other's beliefs, confirm that the summary is accurate, then present your counter argument/evidence on a point by point rebuttal. It is respectful to state your position, and in order to be truly respectful, you have to know your own position very well. Otherwise, you'll be tempted to slip into an ad hominem attack.

3. Recognize the 3 different of kinds of disagreement:
(a) Differences of fact. Certain things either occurred or did not occur, or are so basic as to be inarguable except in the event of an outright lie, such as a person's eye color or occupation. (If you're dealing with a liar, then religious beliefs are probably among your least worries. Check your wallet.)
(b) Beliefs. These have some evidence for or against them, but the choice to accept them is based on an individual's experience, upbringing, sense of authority, and sense of reason.
(c) Values. These are matters of taste, and arguing matters of taste is impossible. Someone may have a real qualm against glossolalia, and so dismisses it out of sheer discomfort. Someone else may feel more comfortable in a church with formal worship.
Determine the nature of the statements to see if you should question the facts, explore the rationale for beliefs, or get to know the details of a person's values. In each of these instances, respect can be dictated by the type of statement being asserted.

4. Actions are different than beliefs. While you can respect and allow a person to believe whatever they want, you cannot allow a person to take away the rights of others simply because they believe they are "sinful." Any time a person says he is asserting his beliefs, but instead he is taking action that can harm another, then respect for those actions is neither required nor laudable.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 2

I wish I was smart enough to answer this.
I was feeling pretty good until I read this.
Respect...I just let people live as they want, unless they are hurting others, well and themselves too, of course.
I have not openly confronted anyone because I do not know my own mind on many issues, and I'm not a sinless all knowing Roman Catholic. I'm me.
America is made up of cycles where ideas come and go as groups impose their behavioral standards or "divine mandates" on the community they live. I do not really know if this is true anymore, but most of our laws started from some community action.
I can try your last question: "Does it mean you must always allow them to do whatever they want if it's in accordance with their particular faith?" - Under a review of from the community they live in and are part of, any practice of a faith would meet community standards of deceit actions; and say clothing, alcohol, treatment of food and drinks, hygiene - (toilets, washrooms, showers) security, access to handicap and child care. If these are met as they were for Woodstock (the real one, and the 2nd) I can't see why a religious festival couldn't meet the same criteria.
I may go, or not - I usually go to Pow-Wows and cultural festivals in California, as I'm American and so are they, so I'm welcome to be there. It never hurts to learn and the food is usually wonderful, and so is the dancing and songs.
I lost my thought in the start, middle and end, as usual. Oh, well.
Good typing practice. :)
Peace.

Answer 3

What does it mean to "respect someone elses religious beliefs"?

I believe we can and should respect the right of others to have and adhere to their religious beliefs, with some caveats. For example, I would NOT respect the religious beliefs of an individual who believed it is their duty to kill Jews and/or Christians or others for their differing religious beliefs. I would also not respect the religious-based actions of any religious group that deliberately attempted to violate the rights of others in a different religious group simply because of different religious beliefs.

1) Does it mean that you can never disagree with their practices?

Nope - I would expect to disagree with many folks about the value, reliability, or accuracy of at least some of their religious beliefs. Having said that, this does not mean I don't or wouldn't 'respect' their right to hold to them, given my comments above.

2) Does it mean that you can never ask questions about that which you find inconsistent or objectionable in their scriptures or doctrines?

Not at all. Those who believe in their religion should be prepared to give an answer for why they believe what they do.

3) Does it mean that you can never oppose attempts to legally impose their behavioral standards or "divine mandates" on you?

Not at all. I would oppose the imposition of any behavioral standards by other individuals based solely on their religious beliefs. On the other hand, I DO believe that a moral code exists (and should be observed) that may be consistent with many religions. For example, stealing should not be legal, nor murder, nor allowing certain types of criminals to go free (like repeat DUI and sex offenders, etc.).

4) Does it mean you must always allow them to do whatever they want if it's in accordance with their particular faith?

As long as there is no harm committed against others, I don't have a problem, with some exceptions as cited above.

I also think we need to make a distinction between religious beliefs that seek to help others and those that preach destruction against others. The latter should not be allowed or tolerated.

Answer 4

Respecting someone elses religious beliefs means allowing that person to practice the religion he or she chooses. If need be defending the person's right to practice. There are some religions that have in my eyes some odd practices, but if those practices make the person feel closer to whatever they worship and cause no harm to anyone else, then let them do it. One can always question–just don't do it in a derogatory manner. No one should be able to impose their standard or divine mandates on anyone. If what they do harms someone or infringes upon someones rights then no, they can't be allowed to do what ever they wish in their faith. A good example of that would be the fact that polygamy is against the law even though that was a practice of the Mormon faith.

Answer 5

Respect means to give a different regard to something/someone or to abstain from interefering with it.

It does not mean you cannot disagree with practices, but there's a way to do it without insulting someone. Many people in R&S lay claim to respecting others' beliefs, and then turn around and insult those who believe (or don't believe the same way as someone else). That's not respect at all. One can simply say, "I disagree and here's why" without calling someone an idiot, a moron, evil, et al.

I think asking questions is a great thing to do.. it causes someone to evaluate their belief and in some cases, can solidify it for them.

When people attempt to impose their beliefs upon others in any fashion, be it legal or otherwise, they are not respecting the beliefs of others themselves.. this should be opposed vehemently and loudly by everyone.

Hm.. the term "allow" implies you have some kind of authority over them. I believe that if they are not harming anyone or anything by their practice, then they should be free to do so.. but as the saying goes, "my rights end where yours begin" should be used as a measure in this case.

Answer 6

I think respecting someone else's religious beliefs simply means that unless they pose a threat to the safety of others by practicing their faith whatever it may be then we should just leave them alone to practice however they want.
It doesn't mean that we have to agree with them or even go around them if we don't want to.
You are always free to decide for yourself what or whom you prefer to worship as opposed to believing what someone else tells you that you have to believe in.
I don't respect any religion which teaches hatred or violence towards another human being for any reason.
Because if it teaches that then it's not really a religion but a disguise to justify it's immoral teachings.
I also don't respect any religion that traps it's members and forces them to remain a part of their religion or else they will either be killed or have their family members turned against them.
Because then that isn't a religion either but an occult that mostly brainwashes it's members and controls them through fear.
But anything else which promotes peace,love and prosperity through the worship of a higher being should be respected no matter how bazaar it may seem to us.
I'm a Christian for example but if I met someone who say,worshiped a head of lettuce I wouldn't pass judgment on that person I would respect them and leave them alone.
I believe that God wants people to willingly seek him and not be forced or coerced by another to do so.
That in itself is what you call respect.

Answer 7

The respect that you want from religious people, is what you should give them in return.

Yes you can ask questions.
No one should be trying to legally impose their standards on you. That is crossing the line.

Should you "allow' them to do what they want? Yes. as long as it is not going to harm anyone else.

There needs to be some give and take. Some are opposed to homosexuality, for example. They must allow people to be gay just the same, without condemning them or calling them names. They have no right to take away the rights of others.


In the same way there are those who oppose any religion which teaches that homosexuality is wrong. They must allow members of those religions to believe as they choose without condemning them or calling them names. They have no right to take away from others the right to believe as they choose.


Unfortunately not too many people ( both religious and non religious) are as concerned with giving others rights as they are concerned with squashing anyone from the other side. That is too bad. We could all do a better job of practicing " live and let live"

Answer 8

No. I can only speak as a Catholic. It means to have regard for what we feel is the fact that all humans are made in God's image and therefore worthy of respect and dignity. We do not ridicule other people's beliefs,although we will publicly disagree.

Answer 9

I think it means respecting their right to believe in whatever they want. It does not preclude intelligent debate or discussion about those beliefs nor does it stop you from opposing the imposition of those beliefs or standards on society. They must be allowed to follow the dictates of their faith, provided that it does not break the law of the land. In return they must acknowledge and respect your rights to your own beliefs or lack of belief.

Answer 10

No it means you can disagree with their practices, you can ask any questions you like about thier religious beliefs, you can oppose anything that goes against your own beliefs, and they just like you can't do whatever they want.

What it does mean to "respect someone elses religious beliefs" is that you accept that they have different beliefs than you, don't try and belittle or maliciously attack them because of their beliefs, and that you treat them the same way you would treat anyone else who shares your own beliefs, and indeed anyone of any belief. Religious respect means you have courtesy for the differences between you, it doesn't mean you can't argue or debate in a polite, yet challenging way. It only means that you won't be rude about your dealing with people of different beliefs, that is of course unless they are rude to you first... Respect is also earned not freely given.

Hey I thought of a good way to explain it..

Imagine you and your neighbour both have nice big vegetable gardens. You believe in using organic and natural methods of cultivation and pest control, your neighbour believes in using pesticides and fertilizers and all sorts of unnatural ways of gardening. You don't agree with that method at all and you see lots of things wrong with it.. that doesn't give you the right to go destroy his garden, or to try to get him in trouble, or undermine his efforts. You can however show him different ways and share your ideas of the best methods, you can show him how much nicer your tomatoes are or how well the encouragement of parasitic wasps controls hornworms.. You can argue about the best ways to fertilize or water etc. Now if because he uses pesticides you suffer because of it or it in any way negatively affects you, your health etc then you can take action.. he's not allowed to let his beliefs of how to properly grow a garden interfere with your life or your garden. Same applies to you... You can both grow your gardens the way you believe is best, unless or until it negatively affects one or the others ways. You can debate you can argue you can cite proofs that your way is best all you want... you just cannot use your beliefs to destroy or harm the other.

Example.. You could lobby to have the use of pesticides restricted in your area, but you couldn't go and burn his garden down so he wouldn't be able to use pesticides..