What gives any of us the right to tell others our beliefs without their consent?

Question

One would think that asking a question as basic and unoffensive as this would yeild no abuse from the answering users.

How wrong can you be...thanks to all of the rather self rightous Americans out there. Love you too. Just remember the internet encompasses a wider reach than your shores....maybe you should get a passport and travel a bit.

Carl G.....You only had to answer the question, do you get this angry with your Mum when she asks you to pass the potatos....what a chump!

Answer 1

Freedom of speech - - and the other person has the freedom to not listen.

Answer 2

Is this a belief of yours, that people have a right to tell others things without their consent?

Are you not now telling us this belief of yours without our consent?

.

Answer 3

Uhhhhhh....if you're talking about "in general," I believe it's called the constitution?

If you're talking about here...then, well...you asked for it! You post a question, people are probably going to answer. That IS the whole point, isn't it? Intelligent discussion salted with Jerry-Springeresque ranting and zinging one liners?

And by the way...beliefs in what? I believe in a lot of things. Jesus. Sleeping in on Saturdays.Working for what I have. Raising children so they become self-disciplined adults. Having high standards. Setting goals. Making pie for Thanksgiving. Croutons are only stale bread. That's just a few...

The discussion of differing beliefs is a part of humanity.

Answer 4

I agree with you, I am a christian and I teach a sunday school but I only preach to those that ask, and if a question here on yahoo asks then yeah I'll tell you what I know. But I have a friend who preaches to anyone and if anything it drives people away, she even preaches to me and it's like - I do know! It's a hard line to define though between bible bashing and trying to help, I find a comfort in God and sometimes I have to remind myself that perhaps others might not.

Answer 5

You can't escape being exposed to what others believe. A mugger tells you what he believes when he robs you of your valuables. a TV news program tells you what some one or some people believe by their slant on or omission of news. Products that you buy are based on beliefs of people and these beliefs can be good or bad for you. It's good to pay attention to what others believe because if there are wrong beliefs, there are right beliefs and you would most certainly benefit from choosing right beliefs especially if they showed a strong concern for goodness rather than selfishness. Also it's always good to make a fair comparison of your present beliefs and the beliefs of others because there just might be something worth believing in that you haven't considered.

Answer 6

Consent? What happened to the right to free speech.

If you ask a question about religion you are going to hear people's beliefs, and you are guaranteed not to like some of them.

If you don't want to know, don't ask.

Answer 7

God has asked me to tell people about Jesus. I do this, less fervently than I used to, but God also gives me the opportunity. There's a verse in colossians 4:5 that says we should make the most of every opportunity. That said, it seems that many Christians feel they actually have to make the opportunity themselves. I'm beginning to believe that is why so many are pushing themsleves onto people who don't want to know. If they stepped back and simply looked out for the opportunities that God gives, they would find their message better received.

Answer 8

Tell that to all the churches who peddle their beliefs on national television and radio.
Having respect for other people's beliefs means that others can tell you what they believe in and for you as a mature person to make your own decisions. We need diversity as this makes us see things in a different light!

Answer 9

People can listen to others beliefs then they are able to compare them with there own.some people might find answer to long awaited question that they have been to frightened to ask.if someone starts talking religion surely its the voice of god and everyone should listen

Answer 10

None of us have that right, and to try and force another to listen to you is against the law. No person is allowed to hold another person against their will. If at any time a person no longer wishes to hear you, he/she are free to remove themselves from the public area where you are speaking. You have the right to speak about whatever you wish, but you do not have the right to force someone else to listen to it. By the way I think you could be a bit more sympathetic to the Americans out here. Even though Yahoo Answers encompasses more than just the United States, you are bound to strike a nerve with Americans when you ask a question like this. Unlike a lot of other parts of the world, America's populations is dominated by religious zealots, who try and force their beliefs down our throats daily. Have you ever had a total stranger walk up to you on the street, take one look at you and then proceed to tell you that you are going to burn in hell? Have you ever came home to find your front door stuffed with religious propaganda? Have you ever been denied something simple because you are not a Christian? These are common occurrences in certain parts of America. Christians relentlessly try and force others to hear their beliefs, regardless of a persons wishes. Please, take this into account when you consider some American answers to your question. I apologize for some reactions to your question, but you have to look at it from their point of view as well.

Edit to all the people claiming Freedom of speech.

Have you read his question at all? Read this closely and look for the words in all caps. "What gives any of us the right to tell others our beliefs WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT? The right to free speech does not give you the right to force someone to listen to your beliefs. You are forcing them, if you do not have their consent. From his/her question, I take it that he isn't speaking in generalities, but referring to specific situations. He is talking about the times when people do not wish to hear it and have no choice but to listen. He could be referring to the worker, who has to listen to the religious radio station at work because his boss says "If you don't like it leave.". He has no choice but to listen to it even though he has not given consent. This is illegal and it is harassment. It is not a freedom granted in the constitution. I will agree with you that freedom of speech is a great thing, but this in no way means you can say whatever you want whenever you want. Their ARE restrictions. I will give examples of this. You could not walk up to the president and say "I would love to pull a gun out from under my coat and blow your head off." You would be arrested for terroristic threats and harassment. When in a crowed movie theater, you cannot yell "Fire", or you would be arrested for inciting a riot. Think a bit people, before you spout off the first thought that comes to mind.

Answer 11

You may ask - which you did.
Why do religious people try to brainwash young, impressionable children into believing what they, the brainwashers so wrongly believe?
It should not be allowed, especially as there cannot ever be, never was and never will be, gods magical or mythical.
They should let people find out for themselves, if not interested, nothing lost or gained.