Lebanon category...do you feel that it is important to have respect for different cultures and beliefs?

Question

and DO you try to be respectful of those who differ from you??

James Albright...
I did not say that it is important to ACCEPT other religious beliefs...I asked if it was important to RESPECT different cultures and beliefs.
You can respect another person's beliefs without holding to them...

Wow...I am so impressed with the answers I have received! It is going to be very difficult to choose a best answer!

Answer 1

I know it is very important. However, I am not sure whether I practice this respect or not.
The reason behind my uncertainty is that I did not grow up in a diverse community. I grew up in a community that is mainly Muslim, and mainly similar in everything.
I try as much as I can to learn about "others". By others I mean people who are different in race, color, religion, beliefs, tastes, and everything.
Lately, I have formed a new concept for myself that the "other" does not have to be a person different in something drastic. The other is simply the person I am not.
Any person different than myself deserves to be respected for their viewpoints.
That's the main principle that I have. Do I apply it or not? I don't know.
I would not dare to say that I respect other people in all situations. I would do that if I took the time to think before I do anything. In most situations I do not think. I act. Sometimes I am right. Sometimes I am wrong.
It's harder to be a considerate person when you grew up in a cultural background that does not believe in respecting different people.
I know a friend. A very good young man. A few hours ago we were walking in the street. I pointed to a building under construction and said " What is that?"
He answered with a frown on his face and said " They're building a church".
I said " So what?"
He said " Are you not a proud Muslim? Do you not want your religion to flourish and prospect?"
I said " I am a proud Muslim. There is nothing wrong in building a church. There are hundreds of mosques here and if you compare the numbers, you'll find that it is totally unfair. Christians should be allowed to worship".
To sum it, the discussion did not lead to anything fruitful. Neither I nor him changed our opinions.
My friend is not a bad person. This is what he grew up to learn. This is his environment.

I am just saying it is harder to become tolerant when you're surrounded with an atmosphere that believes that "There are no others".

Answer 2

It depends on the culture and belief. Some beliefs deserve respect, and some don't. Some people are Christian, and some are Muslims. Both of those sets of beliefs deserve respect. Some people oppose child molestation, and some people are ok with it. Only one of those beliefs deserves respect. If you claim that all cultures and beliefs should be respected, you're essentially legitimizing child molestation, among a great many other illegitimate things.

So then the question turns to things in between, like homosexuality. And I won't take a position on whether or not it's worthy of respect. But I'll note that a precedent has been set for saying that some cultures and beliefs aren't worthy of respect.

Answer 3

The idea of accepting other religions is an atheistic doctrine, in which they claim that all religions are made up, except atheism, in order to get individuals through rough times, and therefore all fall into the same category and should be accepted by each other. In other words they believe that every religion is wrong except atheism and since every religion except theirs they should accept one another’s beliefs. This atheistic belief is only temporary, until the atheists rule the earth and can force their beliefs on the entire world as they have been slowly doing in the USA. It is the atheists that should be corrected, since their is a God and He became flesh and died our second death in Hades while He, Jesus, was alive on the cross between the sixth hour and the ninth hour so that whoever believes in Him will be saved from having to die a second death.
Each religion has their own teachings as to how to treat other beliefs and should be judged individually. However, atheism has been the religion that is responsible for all of the mass murders in history. The atheists are the most dangerous people on the face of the earth today and need to be put down because they are on the verge of beginning another mass murder campaign against Christians and anyone else that does not accept their beliefs.

Answer 4

AS long as the other person is not trying to force their beliefs on me or take my rights away then i Will respect them. And about the other cultures... I think that should have nothing to do with respect because we are all people no matter where we come from if you don't like a culture then that is one thing but not liking people for being from a certain place, that is absurd!!! THEY do not make the decisions their governments do! HOWEVER if a person is in America and trashing it then I WILL NOT respect them. They do not have to be here!!!

Answer 5

I think as most of the guys said, it depends on where and how u grow up, and live.
after so many years, living and working in multi cultural places, the only way this world can survive and live in peace is to accept and respect the differences no matter h different they are.
and the hardest task ever is to try to make those whom we know well, understand those points of views. i have had very rought dicussions with some relatives, and friends, ending by being accused i lost my identity! lol
never the less i never gave up, its like giving up on hope that this world can be a better place for us and for our children to live in.

Answer 6

I can answer your question with a definite yes, but I know that it took me effort and time to get where I am.
I belong to a rather intolerant culture and growing up during our civil war didn't make things easier.
I worked myself to a non racist - non sexist - non discriminative place.
I do look at people as "people" regardless of affiliation and I am here to tell the above people that is can be done.

Answer 7

Aussie!!!!!! I think its so bad that someone DID give Aussie thumbs down and 2 for that matter! I have seen so many of his answers and he sounds like on e great man!!

also they are building a Mosque 1 mile from me! I live in America , and no one cares! for this America and all beliefs get along with each other! Peace

Answer 8

Sure, all of us were born to be different, even Lebanese , not all of them alike, will never happen to find someont like you 100% maybe near by you but not exactly you. Hence yes i should respect others if we don;t match each other so hi and bye are so enough, no arguments because your thinking style doesn't match me, you like meat i like chikien so do what you like we don't have to bother each other!!

Have a good day.

Answer 9

I believe that above all else you should give a person respect. I don't agree with this mentality that respect has to be earned. In my opinion, we all deserve to be treated with it, regardless of cultures, beliefs, or variants in personal view points. We are all human and thusly should be treated as we, ourselves expect to be treated and to refuse to do so based on petty differences is unacceptable.

Answer 10

Yes, living close to LA is good for that, since we have so many different cultures that live here. It is also a first contact place since many immigrants come to the west coast. I get to meet so many people from different cultures it has really taught me tolerance.