Atheists: Do believers deserve respect?

Question

I'm only talking about respect with regards to religious beliefs.

I personally feel that I should not have to tip-toe around the subject. I think that belief in any kind of imaginary super-deity should be held in the same regard as an adult that believes in Santa claus, fairies, or Zeus.

I'm asking because I mentioned an article at work about how Douglas Adams became an atheist because of reading "The Selfish Gene" by Dawkins.
A co-worker whom I wasn't talking to got offended thinking it was disrespectful.

But the truth is that I DON'T respect his beliefs. And why should I?

I am curious what others think.

Oh. . And for believers reading this. Do you openly respect the beliefs of other religions? Christians: would you refrain from talking about your beliefs around a Muslim? or vice-versa?

Answer 1

"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart."

-- H L Mencken

Answer 2

As a former believer I say that I was offended for the same reason I did when you told me there was no santa clause as a kid. It made me upset to think of the possiblity that there was no Santa Clause. Because who would bring me gifts if he was not real? In the same way I understand some athiest who are angry with Christians because now they know the truth and when Christmas comes there is no Santa. And they're pissed because they would not miss him if they had never been told he was real in the first place. But just like Santa, some people need that hope in order to live this life. Because if there is nothing after this what is the point? So They will still be offended. By the way maybe they should think before "they" put down someone elses belief. Sometimes that belief is all you have.

Answer 3

Honestly I think you should respect another person's belief. But that guy butting into your conversation to get offended is still kinda ? to me.

You should respect people who believe in different things than you. Why, well its dang good manners to and to keep an open mind about other people.

I respect all religions, not cults but all religions. The line is thin but it is still there. First off in your question to Christians why would we be talking about religion anyway? Think in your everyday conversations with people, and unless your as serious and debate loving as a MUN kid your not going to be talking about religion. Secondly, how in the sam hill can you tell if a person straight off the bat is a Muslim? Muslims are all different like Christians are all different and same with Buddhists and Hindus.

Why would it be bad to talk about your beliefs in front of another person when the time in conversation comes? If the person gets angry in your situation then its quite neseccary to stop talking about it or figure out why it bothers them so much and just talk about it somewhere else. Why it would be neseccary for your situation is because you and the person you offended are co-workers. Office conflict, well isn't there enough of that already? Also I don't see why the sam hill your co-worker got P.O-ed. I'm a Christian but I like atheists just as well as anyone else and find their discussions very interesting. People need to get open and explore the world.

Answer 4

We could turn that question around and ask if you atheists think you deserve the respect of those of us who are believers. I personally feel that I should be able to discuss my religious beliefs without someone constantly being disrespectful and/or hateful.

Why should I respect you and what you believe when you don't return that respect to me and my beliefs? Respect is a two-way street. . .I give exactly the amount that is accorded to me, no more and no less. As a result, I can't say that I respect you personally or your beliefs because you aren't willing to do the same for me.

I don't refrain from talking about my beliefs around anyone, just as they are free to discuss their religious beliefs around me. I've learned a lot about Islam and other religions in this Forum, and I've enjoyed talking about Catholicism to others.

If we have to tip-toe around each other for fear of offending someone, then the whole purpose of this group -- to learn and share information -- is gone.

Answer 5

I say yes, respect it. but respecting it doesn't mean not questioning. By all means interrogate them. It can only make them stronger in their beliefs or see the truth. So to you I say yes respect it, but no you don't have to "tip-toe" around the subject lol. If you can't discuss anything about the subject than you are shunning it. Kinda makign it taboo. Don't do that ;) Anythign and everythign should be perfectly ok to talk about. I guess you should respect his beliefs because.... he is a human, like you, and you should have compassion, and know that is what he believes. By my "respecting" i mean more along the lines as accepting its existance. Not "WHOMG i can't say anythign bad about it or question it" ect.

Yes i openly respect the beliefs of all other religions (atleast so far I have). No I would not refrain from talkign about my beliefs around one of another belief if i wanted to. I might not though if I see that they are distressed about it, and i don't really care about talking it. So in this way i am sympathetic to the PERSON not really to the religion i guess.

Answer 6

Well, you can't say that you respect other cultures by stating

"I personally feel that I should not have to tip-toe around the subject. I think that belief in any kind of imaginary super-deity should be held in the same regard as an adult that believes in Santa claus, fairies, or Zeus."

It's obvious you don't respect their beliefs, you just simply find them to be ignorant and you wish that you didn't have to listen to them talk about it.

IN regards to your question, respect is not earned or deserved by entire groups of people. Atheists are just as unable to disprove god as other religions are able to prove he exists. none of us can prove what happens to us after death, nor can we prove there is or is not a soul, hell or heaven.

I personally don't find it logical to believe in a God, but I am always open to hear logical arguments as to why someone believes in one. When I treat someone with respect, then I deserve their respect... on the other hand if someone refuses to listen to what I believe in and totes on their preachings, then I give them no respect.

Answer 7

have you ever heard of the hippie movement... non christian. looking to change the world with peace and love... all this done outside any religious movement.. there was a peace rally at Kent State university..."shootings that occurred at Kent State University on May 4, 1970." the hippies didn't go around bashing any one's religious beliefs... but they did meet up with a great deal of adversity through the whole peace process... Often the hippie movement faced a lot of resistance from the Christians. Always trying to censor the music the messages these people were bringing. the message of peace and love. messages of stopping violence and war. the Christians didn't care about peace or love back then just do what I say, the regular self righteous you are sinners. They claim the music came from the devil... one song they tried to get off the air was John Lennon's "Imagine" Every time a movement beyond Christianity forms violence to stop it comes... did we win or lose... some say hippies are dying out... they are in their 60's by now... but even the Christians have to work for peace despite it not being part of their religious past... for 30 yrs Christians were left to their own devises while the agnostic search for some spiritual truth beyond them... John Lennon was gunned down by a man who idolized him, Mark David Chapman went to a bible camp and came out obsessed with murdering his former idol... Shortly after his death, the catholic and christian movements got a boost, a revival. The truth is surfacing now, the Christians and catholics so called god, it's spiritual influence is damaging life on earth... they never did nor would they let go of their murderous ways... Nature which was behind the hippie movement is on another growth... the world is changing and soon we will be leaving religions in the past... do the Christians deserve respect not if you want to change the world they don't... not if you want ot stay alive they don't....

Answer 8

Well, my personal feeling is that people are too easily offended in this Country with the whole "political correctness" thing. However, this Country was founded upon the principle that there will be freedom of religion with no fear of persecution regardless of your beliefs. I'm agnostic and always try to respect others beliefs without passing judgment.

Answer 9

I know you said Atheists only, but I'm on your side on this one to some extent.

I got into a fight with another Christian I work with. He left his Bible out on the break room table, and an Atheist we work with was offended by it. My Christian coworker came unglued at the 'audacity' of this claim, and there was nothing I could to to make him see that it would be just as offensive if the Atheist had left a copy of Penthouse back there.

It's pretty easy to talk about your beliefs without offending people, if you put a bit of thought into what you are going to say. A simple "This is what the Christian faith believes," versus "This is what I believe," changes the context of the sentence.

Your co-worker needs to relax.

Answer 10

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Answer 11

There is a difference between respecting a person, and respecting their beliefs. I may not agree with their beliefs but since hte majority of the US is Christian, there are a lot of peoples' beliefs I dont agree with. I simply try to look past a persons religous beliefs unless they constistently push their beliefs on me or say racist/bigot things (such as Pat Robertson).