Respecting religion???

[Stevanos]

Could someone enlighten me as to why now all of a sudden we need to "respect" other peoples religions?

I see no real rationale behind it.

Of course I will understand people's need for a religion, but why on earth should I respect it, that to me is saying I agree with it which I certainly don't. If I were to choose a religion it would be Buddhism as they seem to be the most peaceful flock but even then I doubt there is much real good.

I'd like to know why we must respect this crowd of people suddenly.

[Stevanos]

Some Gump said:

There's a difference between not giving any credence to religion, and being a about it.

Say it was not religion. Pretend it's football... Of course you have every right to think that Man u are ste, but going down to the trafford arms and telling the fans that they're ste is probably not the decent thing to do. Not only is it risking a kicking, it's just winding people up for no reason whatsoever.

There is a difference between respectivng a religion, and actively showing it disrespect.

Well let's say I don't give a st about ManU, which I don't. Football is as bad as religion I think. But if I go to my local pub... The Trafford Arms, why should I respect anything these halfwits are on about? I just want a nice quiet pint and I certainly don't want to discuss it with them as they behave like dicks! (just an example).

[Stevanos]

grumbledoak said:

Are you referring to Pope Francis' comments? He is just feeling left out because his followers aren't out killing in his name any more. Sorry, I meant in "God's name", obviously.

I was.

But it seems in 2015, for some bizarre reason we are now having to nurse various factions along rather than saying to them that they are wasting their time, moreover it seems I now have to "respect" all religions



Why cannot I hate religion? I genuinely despise it, but apparently if I say it too loud I may break the law! WTF

[Stevanos]

g3org3y said:

Good book.

I'd also add Christopher Hitchens' 'God is Not Great' as a very worthy read.

I'm not going to waste any time/energy reading a book on this subject. Sorry.

[Stevanos]

Corpulent Tosser said:

Then don't discuss it with them, stay out of their discussion and no-one will be bothered. However, if you start making derogatory remarks or taking the piss out of their team or players you can expect a negative effect.

Same with religion, let the believers believe, they may be deluded, they may be stupid, but it is fairly certain they will not take kindly to being told so.

What free speech we have comes with responsibility, we are all responsible for our actions and omissions, including what we say.

It is a little hard to do this these days, it seems you can be shot!

[Stevanos]

Is it me, but it seems that the ones who feel persecuted in someway feel the need for some sort of special treatment.... i.e I'm Jewish/Muslim/Christian, you must respect me

Yet the ones who don't raise the spectre of religion in their daily lives have to some how suddenly respect these people who say they are persecuted, quite frankly I don't give a monkeys and what's more I am actually becoming intolerant to it.

Am I being a dick about this, have I got it all wrong?

I just don't see why I have to give special treatment to other humans.

[Stevanos]

scorp said:

Because they'll kill you if you don't. This is literally the crux of the argument.

I should say, "certain others" and not generalise so much.

[Stevanos]

trumptriple said:

Well put Voight Kampf.

Why should I respect someone's personal space? Why should I respect someone's peace and quiet in the library? Why should I respect anyone? Because it's polite and civilised and tolerant. People eating on the train annoy me far more than religious people.

The problem is that religion is not behind closed doors and being conducted in a civilised way, it is getting everywhere and when I turn my nose up at it it seems I am being disrespectful.

Agree about train eaters!

[Stevanos]

Let's turn the conversation back towards what people mean by respecting their religion!

Why?

[Stevanos]

This thread has gone off the boil a bit.

Most non-imaginary friend types have waded in and given their views, I suspect we have seen some quite highly religious people give their views (perhaps in some more veiled way).

But, what we have yet to agree on is why the average joe on the street should actually respect religion.

Given some of the viewpoints here, I thought I might give a few views of my own, so I hope I don't upset anyone!



Generally, I find the whole concept of religion to be totally bizarre and out of date, there is little science/evidence or much else to back-up many of the themes that people like to support. I personally suspect most if not all of it is total BS. However, I think religion can do some collective good when it works well. Additionally I have observed some pretty great human behavior from the Buddhist community whom seem to treat it more like a code of conduct in how to treat other humans, why can't more follow this. If I was generally being asked to "respect" a religion it would be the one that would be more mutual respectful of me.

[Stevanos]

MrHorsepower said:

As has been said before, no one has to respect religion but everyone should respect other people. Here's my example of someone I find truly dreadful: a boy at my school wears lipstick, has ridiculous hairstyles and gets about to all the right-on leftie clubs to give his views on why communism is even better than sliced bread. Clearly, he has two obvious beliefs: a) he looks good and b) communism is somehow an intelligent and practical way of running the country. As far as I'm concerned, he is the real-world equivalent of Rick from The Young Ones but I'm not going to tell him that (unless he asks) because he doesn't do any harm to me and I see no reason just to go and offend him. He can keep out of my way and I'll keep out of his.

I like this example,

However, it seems quite a few people think a non-believer should respect whatever they are peddling!

Edited by Stevanos on Saturday 17th January 00:01

[Stevanos]

Mojocvh said:

Fair points, however it's difficult to offend when they can't speak the mother tongue..

the problem is, I should be able to do what I want, whether that is eating bacon, have a kiss with my girlfriend in public or drinking a beer without it being frowned upon by people who think some god exists somewhere (without any proof).