Why do you expect RESPECT for faith (in lieu of actual justified BELIEF, which corresponds only to fact)?

Question

If you even think this question might apply to you then why do you not grant the same respect to all other faith-founded enterprises (what you likely call cults)?

Let me try to clarify definitions ...
When I'm sitting on the side of the road in a car and can't go anywhere because the gas tank is empty, that is a FACT, recognizable by ANYONE anywhere in the world .... I don't have to have FAITH in it, I know it to be true

Compared to something so basic and obvious, why would FAITH merit "respect" by anyone?

Answer 1

"...why would FAITH merit "respect" by anyone?"

It doesn't. I respect people's right to believe anything they want, but I feel no obligation to respect stupid beliefs.

- An aside... Bob Ross was a poor imitation of William Alexander. Bob stole the phrase "happy little trees" (and many others) from Bill. In fact, Bob learned his painting techniques from Bill.

Answer 2

I am a Christian, and the Bible never speaks of blind faith. We have a well established belief that is grounded in history, archaeology, and philosophy which does not conflict with science. I read the Bible, read some Buddhism and Hinduism before I became a Christian. I was raised by an atheistic father who never missed a chance to tear down the idea of God. I was an atheist and an agnostic once. I read Christian philosophy and apologetics books regularly. I have examined the weighty matters of faith, religion, spirituality, materialism, humanism, etc. I do not think anyone who has blind faith has any real faith in the real God at all. I suppose it is possible for anyone to justify their beliefs (even atheists and agnostics) but that is not a full test of truth & fact it only measure the reasoning of the individual. When you speak of evidence that a religion has done wrong that is not the same as saything that the faith is wrong. Religions are not of God but of humans and so by nature, they are wrong because to err is human. Just because human religions commit wrongs and say foolish things sometimes that does not make God or faith wrong. That only makes humans wrong. By religion I am a Baptist and I do not believe all that is taught because some of it comes from tradition nor would my church leaders expect me to believe everything that is taught but rather to research it and check it for my self. But by faith I am a Christian. In that, yes I accept everything about it.

Answer 3

So subjective opinions do not merit respect? If I like the work of an artist that you don't care for, there is no reason that I should respect your preferences or vice versa?
And it just so happens, I do grant the same respect to all other faith-founded enterprises, and I do not call them cults.

Answer 4

I wouldn't expect respect for my faith so much as I'd expect respect for myself. Simply as another human being with an opinion or life choice that you may not understand or agree with.

So, you don't need to respect Wicca, or Judaism or Christianity, but it is reasonable for people holding these beliefs to be respected as human beings.

Why would the fact that you need gas need to be respected? A fact is something that there is clear evidence of. It is respected as a FACT. Faith is a matter of personal belief (whether proof that will satisfy anyone else exists or not) and should be understood as FAITH, not as FACT.

If you think for yourself and have decided that faith makes no sense to you and therefore has no place in your life, that is fine for you. YOUR beliefs should be respected as YOURS.
MY beliefs are as important to me as yours are to you and should be respected as MINE.

I have no need for you to believe, celebrate, or accept my beliefs. I'm sure you couldn't care less if anyone agrees with your beliefs. Respect in this case (what MOST people are looking for I would say) is simply that you respect that fact that their beliefs are just as hard won and important to them as yours are to you and deserve the same amount of consideration as do yours.

Answer 5

Ah. Faith is like this: "I'm a tool, and I'm very comfortable being a tool. I could be the Government, or Right-wing's tool, or I could be God's tool. I have faith that I'm God's tool, and noone else can manipulate me, because that better satisfies my ego."
The other type of faith is in people. I have faith that my wife won't cheat on me, or that when my friend (whom I know to be punctual) is going to arrive before 7:45 so we can go golfing. That faith I respect--it shows you know somebody.

Answer 6

Yes, it is true, "faith" is the entrance to an endless fairyland. Plenty of Virgins (for guys only), streets of Gold (for conservative Christians), Endless Eternal Life, and just about anything that one wants to believe in.

I do not have much respect for faith, but I respect the people who profess to have it.

Answer 7

One question.. What do you think happens at the end of a lifetime? What happens when the average person "runs out of gas"? This question typically instigates a person's search for meaning of it all and searching for the answer to "what's next?" Faith is personal and internal..

Answer 8

I always took it to mean simply respect a person's right to have their own faith, which I do. But that doesn't imply that I have any particular respect for the actual faith they adhere to.
btw, Bob Ross was the best. "Happy little trees".

Answer 9

But that's just it, belief does not necessarily correspond to 'fact'. When you set off on your journey you believed the gas tank was full, and it wasn't.

Answer 10

I don't respect anybody's religion. As Penn & Teller said, it's all bullshit.