Goliath

In <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=45&t=001393" target="_blank">this thread</a>, GeoTheo asks "Why should xians like atheists?" He begins by saying:

I certainly don't respect xianity--hell, I despise religion in general and loathe xianity in particular. However, I very much respect the right of xians to hold their beliefs. I just wish xians would respect my right to not believe in their god, and to not have their dogma forced upon me at every turn.

So, why should atheists respect the beliefs of xians?

Sincerely,

Goliath

Jagged

Uh... cuz if we don't we'll be just as bad as they are?

Goliath

Jagged Little Pill,

I don't see what is inherently bad about not respecting a certain belief or set of beliefs. I couldn't care less whether or not any xian respects atheism. I merely care about whether or not they respect my right to not believe in any god of any kind, as well as to not have their dogma forced upon me.

Sincerely,

Goliath

Jagged

Okay, I see I misunderstood you partially, sorry.

Being an ex-Christian myself, I would think my perspective might differ from someone who's been an atheist all their lives. I respect the beliefs of Christians because of the people that believe them. I used to be one of them. And showing complete disregard for their beliefs is not something I want to do, because I know they aren't capable of NOT being threatened on a personal level by it. They not only believe these things, they NEED to believe these things. I mean, try to yank the whole carpet of lies out from under them at once, they're going to slip and fall pretty hard. And I have sympathy for them, because I know how scary it was for me. I don't know if I'm making any sense here, but I think what I'm trying to say is I show a limited respect for their beliefs because they are connected to real people. Not saying I think their beliefs are not fundamentally bogus, and probably not saying I would expect every atheist to have a similar view.

The thing with a religious belief in comparison to, say, a scientific belief, is the level of personal investment. If the weatherman is wrong about the forecast, it's a bummer, that's all. If I'm wrong about the existance of god, WHOA BABY. Have to completely reexamine my worldview, my understanding of reality, find new friends, develop different ethics... I realize that disrespecting something like belief in god is going to get them really defensive really fast and in the end probably will not be a positive thing for either of us. So to some extent I feel in order to show respect to a person I must respect their religious beliefs, no matter how strange they seem to me.

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: Jagged Little Pill ]</p>

The Naked Mage

I have no idea, so just to be on the safe side, I don't.

Heathen Dawn

A dualistic, intolerant religion like Christianity or Islam does not merit respect. Paganism (for example the Roman type that Ojuice believes in) is ridiculous but it doesn't harm anyone; not so Christianity and Islam, which divide the world into "Servants of God" and "Servants of Satan".

Intolerant religions should not be tolerated. Stamp out Christianity and Islam before they stamp you out.

Walter_Mitty

The dictionary definition of respect:

Based on that definition, I have very little "respect" for Christianity. But I do respect the Christians' "right" to believe what they will so long as their belief doesn't:

1) Hurt anyone else.

2) Threaten anyone's rights.

3) Promote intollerance.

4) Try to establish a theocracy.

Sadly, certain facets of Christianity (and Islam) do all four!

Godless Sodomite

Almost everyone I know is xian. I respect them because they are good people. However, I do not respect their religious beliefs and I see no reason why I should. Their dogmas are not beyond reproach or discussion. Most people quickly learn that it's best not even raise the issue with me if they don't want to be in the position where they feel they have to defend ideas they haven't thought about very deeply. Anyone who cares to know me at all knows that I find xian theology to be entirely offensive and anti-human. All xians I know believe simply because it gives them a measure of comfort to believe that they're immortal and will see their loved ones in heaven upon death and it really doesn't go any deeper than that for them, so there's really nothing to talk about anyway.

That said, I always make it clear that it doesn't matter to me in the slightest what someone's worldview is. After all, we're different people with different reasons why we accept or reject certain ideas or principles. I won't attack someone for believing as they do (unless I'm attacked first), but I won't compromise who I am either.

-Jerry

Queen of Swords

If someone believes that he/she is a three-headed alien from Jupiter, I wouldn't respect that. Therefore, I'm not likely to grant respect to any other such unproven, nonsensical claims. You have every right to believe you are a three-headed alien from Jupiter; I respect your right to do so. However, I also have every right to burst out laughing before I walk on, shaking my head in disbelief and making notes for the next Nutwatch.

Jamie_L

It's important to treat people with respect. I think that includes not disrespecting their beliefs unless those people are pushing those beliefs in your face or have invited you into or accepted invitation to a discussion or debate over those beliefs.

The belief itself may not be worthy of respect. However, I know plenty of good people who treat me well who believe in all kinds of silly things (psychic Silvia Brown, psychic John Edwards, Ghosts, Christianity, the musical merits of Britney Spears, etc.). If they try to make me listen to Britney Spears, I'll let them know where I stand. If I see the CD on the table when I'm over at their house for dinner, I'm not going to go off on it.

Jamie