It is entirely possible to respect a religion or its followers without having to believe in it.
I think it depends on what level of respect we are talking about.
If the level of respect is "you're delusional but I respect your right to believe whatever you want as long as it doesn't harm me." then yes, it is entirely possible to respect a religion or its followers without having to believe in it.
But to completely respect a religion, don't you have to believe it?
There are always two ways to look at a religion if you don't believe it because you don't believe the fundamental suppositions.
For example, on one hand, you could say that christianity has done a lot of good. On the other hand, you could say that christians don't do good for it's own sake, but because they think an inivisible sky god is going to reward them.
Originally posted by Phaze:I think it depends on what level of respect we are talking about.
Yes, it does depend on what you mean by respect. And I believe you know my meaning. If a person wants to take it to the extreme and expect respect to mean bowing and giving reverence, then it's totally a different meaning altogether.
If the level of respect is "you're delusional but I respect your right to believe whatever you want as long as it doesn't harm me." then yes, it is entirely possible to respect a religion or its followers without having to believe in it.
But to completely respect a religion, don't you have to believe it?
See Above.
There are always two ways to look at a religion if you don't believe it because you don't believe the fundamental suppositions.
I don't believe in Islam, but I do not go around speaking ill of their faith or their followers.To not believe in it is one thing, but to go overboard and start being insulting about it just for the sake of it is a different thing. This doesn't just apply to just Christianity but also to Buddhism, Islam or any other religion.
For example, on one hand, you could say that christianity has done a lot of good. On the other hand, you could say that christians don't do good for it's own sake, but because they think an inivisible sky god is going to reward them.
I think your example is still different from what I was talking about, I'm only addressing one's right to religious choice, be it a choice of with a religion or without. But to just comment on your example, doing good is not always about rewards. There is really such thng as doing good because that's what you want for the other person.
I completely agree with you. Just pointing out there are different levels of respect. :)
Also, what is considered "going overboard" and "insulting" is largely cultural. You have an idea of what would be considered "going overboard" and "insulting" which is "speaking ill of their faith and their followers". Other people and cultures might be much more sensitive. So to what level should one accomodate?
If someone tells me that to leave my head uncovered is insulting to their faith, am I obligated to wear a hat?
In Singapore, we make some accomodations in the workplace. We don't eat pork to the office for example. I think most people consider this a reasonable accomdation, but this is how we were brought up. It's an accomodation we are used to. Let's say, however, someone else has a religion where pork needs brought throughout the office while cooking so that the smell can spread around and please the gods?
I used to think that a live and let live attitude is the best. However, I realise that it is impossible for most people to ignore the actions of others. On one hand, I accept that honor killing is a tradition in other cultures. On the other hand, I find it impossible to accept it. I could accept it perhaps if a person had a choice in what culture they choose to participate in but in many cases, people have no choice.
We are very lucky that we do have a choice.
yes... be agnostic!!!
i think the rule of thumb is to wisely pause when the conversation starts to feel stressful, tense and combative. hard to follow though
Originally posted by dumbdumb!:i think the rule of thumb is to wisely pause when the conversation starts to feel stressful, tense and combative. hard to follow though
But do not bite your thumb!
I respect every individual's right to believe what they want to believe.
I will not compel anyone to believe what I believe to be true.
...however, this does not come easy to many people because these people, atheists and religious folks alike, want others to conform to their beliefs too.
Originally posted by FireIce:yes... be agnostic!!!
religion removes fundemental rights on a basis of absolutely nothing.. but thats just an opinion.
is it really that hard to tell that i totally do not believe and have no respect for religion whatsoever is it?
Originally posted by joshua182:is it really that hard to tell that i totally do not believe and have no respect for religion whatsoever is it?
Originally posted by joshua182:religion removes fundemental rights on a basis of absolutely nothing.. but thats just an opinion.
That's a truth about religion.
Originally posted by joshua182:is it really that hard to tell that i totally do not believe and have no respect for religion whatsoever is it?
Not hard. we have similar views.