Why MUST we Respect Religion, but Atheism is NOT Respected?

Answer 1

Because atheists are the last minority that is free game for everyone?

Seriously though, it's insane. The only difference between the loonytoon on the street shouting about aliens probing him... and the guy behind the pulpet shouting about demons poking you, is how many people buy it.

Apparently, once you have a few thousand, it becomes legitimate.

Answer 2

All sorts of opinions are expressed on Yahoo Answers, including dis-respect of religion, respect for atheism and vice versa.

We have freedom of speech. We can say whatever we want about other people's beliefs. Obviously some opinions are not intelligent or helpful.

We also have freedom of religion. In fact, free choice is essential to religion, because sincere belief must be in our hearts and our actions as well as our arguments. No one can be forced to believe, though this has often been tried.

Ignorance and intolerance are the same, whether they come from people who identify themselves as believers or atheists. Wisdom and concern for others are the same, whether they come from people who call themselves religious or not.

My personal preference would be to hear less hateful talk from atheists and Christians, and see more caring from both.

Answer 3

It's like I've told many, many people. There's a clear double standard between those of faith (particularly Christianity) and Atheism, where Atheists always get the shaft. For example:
1. We must respect religion, because if we don't we're disrespecting the beliefs and being "prejudice" against their religion, however, Atheism isn't widely considered a religion, so they don't think it has to be nearly as respected.
2. It's completely okay for a Christian to post an antagonizing question about an Atheist, because they're proving God and shunning those who disagree with him, so again, in the name of God, it's perfectly acceptable to do this. However, when an Atheist posts a joke or question about a Christian, they're riduculed and harassed.
3. It's alright for a Christian to use the watch maker, "everything needs a creator," argument, but when an Atheist asks, "Well, since everything needs a creator, who or what created God?" With this, the answer is very simple - "God always was and always will be." Well, why can't the same logic apply to the universe? Here we are, faced with another double standard.

The list of these double standards goes on and on, and it shouldn't be tolerated. Just because we are Godless, we somehow deserve less respect? Less of a chance?

-Shakes head- Disgusting.

Answer 4

I don't respect religion or atheism. I respect the right for any person to believe whatever they wish.

The disrespect shown in here comes from people who are ignorant and opinionated and careless about how they affect everyone else in here.

Answer 5

I would certainly not consider myself as militant. However, I do think that constantly drawing attention to whatever religion you follow in public is dividing us. I am happy for people to believe in whatever they wish as long as they keep it where it belongs, in places of worship and in the homes. When I went to visit the Blue Mosque and Ayah Sophia in Istanbul a couple of years ago, I took a head scarf with me and wore it, many women tourists did not. A supervisor outside said there was no need and raised his eyebrows when I replied that I would out of respect for the faithful inside their place of worship. In the same way, I will always drop my head during prayers in a Christian church at a wedding or christening. I agree with the ruling that the Devon council should not put Christian prayers on the council meeting agenda, they only have to turn up early to pray for guidance or pray before leaving home. Keep religion where it belongs. Yes Baroness Farsi is a Muslim in a British House of Parliament which once was totally Christian. As Britain seems to be getting more secular do you not think she has an agenda here? She has benefited from our religious tolerance only to use this platform for her own religion's purpose under the guise of championing all religion.

Answer 6

The concept of respecting religion is an advanced artifact of civilization and is not the natural tendency of humans. When civilized society doesn't have rules about something then the basal prejudices and hates of an individual can predominate

Answer 7

Let's see
1) a great many atheists only spend there time here attempting "witty" derogatory statements to thos who are theists
2) Most ask questions to bait others rather than really discuss their supposed questions
3) Many don't repond to legitimate answeers by being either rude or discounting of the responders answers.
And you ask for the atheists to be given respect after they treat theist this way. I know that I will get thumbs down for this because it is easier than to actually discuss a subject And it is less honest than you just yelling how much you hate those who disagree with you.

Answer 8

Atheists must respect religion because we should be rational enough to realize that religions are just byproducts of various cultures. We should respect religion for the way it has influenced some to preserve culture, history, and morality to an extent. Religions do not and can not hurt people: Other people do.

Answer 9

We respect religion because they believe in God, in other word we respect the God. Atheism is not religion and they don't believe in God.

Answer 10

What is there to respect? It is a belief of non-belief. I do not have to respect it, just as no one is required to respect a particular religious belief. You respect people when they are worthy of respect. Some people aren't and they come in all beliefs. But I do not expect any belief requires respect. It may earn it but that is on an individual basis.

Answer 11

Exactly what I think. Religion is a person's belief in a greater power. Atheism is a person's belief in the fact that there is no greater power. They both boil down to be defined as a person's belief. Why should people "shun the nonbeliever!" ? This has happened to me several times. There were so many groups of people througout history who have been persecuted for and fought for their beliefs. Why is atheism any different? It's what I believe. My mom is a devout believer in God and she has tried to tell me about Him, but I thought for myself about what I want to believe in. Is that wrong?