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Respect for Beliefs

A page on Facebook posted a link to this photo today:

Naturally, a little argument ensued. People were complaining about how Jesus was shown here (obviously), and other people fired back that it was true, etc. you know the drill. Anyway, someone said they were getting tired of seeing "atheist shit" on the page, and asked what was wrong if you just believe in God, and you're not using it for money or power, or whatever. I told him and anyone else listening that since the religious get to post things about what they believe and how they think, then nonbelievers should have the right to express their thoughts as well. Another person came in and told me that this was not an opinion, this was simply trolling, and if he insulted my beliefs I'd get mad. I told him it really should not be a big deal.

I come back an hour or so later and a few more people have responded. The previous person posted as well. He said, "But it's really offensive saying that someone important to someone's faith is a myth. I hear atheists and agnostics talk about how Christians should be more tolerant of other people's beliefs, but when it comes to our beliefs, they're usually very intolerant. If I even mention how I believe homosexuality is a choice and how I believe it's wrong, they start cursing at me and calling me bigoted."

Now, I am quite through dealing with the people on that thread, as they will only drive me insane. But how could I explain? Christians hate on atheists and other beliefs quite often. They still ask that we respect them, but how? How can someone expect me to respect their disrespect?

Tags: myths, religion, respect

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Permalink Reply by matt warren on October 22, 2011 at 11:44am

brovo!!! very well put.

this is why I dont comment more. there are so many more that put it very well.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on October 22, 2011 at 9:16am

I can't respect dumb. I don't just tell most religious people that is dumb, I'm just subtle about it.

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Permalink Reply by Teagraves on October 22, 2011 at 9:28am

Hi guys, thanks for the replies ^^

I suppose there's no way for everyone to truly get along as far as the religion/respect/whatever goes. It's just...hmm, how do I say it? I don't mind if someone believes in something, it's when they start saying silly stuff and acting mean that I don't like it. But...wouldn't they consider that picture to be saying silly things and acting mean to them? I don't even know.

I guess the point is that you can't please everyone! :3

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Permalink Reply by mojo5501 on October 22, 2011 at 9:57am

Nothing is sacred to an atheist! ha

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Wesner on October 22, 2011 at 10:11am

I see a big difference between respecting a belief -- which I really don't do -- and respecting the sensitivity of an individual. People are very connected to their beliefs, and rely on them (not on the truth of them; merely on their believing. "Mom & Pop are together in heaven" sort of thing). So I try not to insult them. At least not first. But I do feel it's pretty odd that every other religion that ever existed was fake, made up by people, but theirs is real, handed down by (ther) god.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on October 22, 2011 at 10:49am

I kinda like the stunned look on their faces if you say something like "you wouldn't be a christian if you'd been born in Iran, Iraq, etc" or "would you give or let your kids have a horrible disease for ANY reason if you could stop it?" "of course not" "then you're a better parent than 'god'". No answer except sometimes stuff like "well we can't know gods plan, we're just human". I wouldn't want to know any 'god' like theirs.

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Permalink Reply by Teagraves on October 22, 2011 at 11:24am

Right, exactly!

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Permalink Reply by matt warren on October 22, 2011 at 11:52am

I wana see the FSM on that post card too!

;)

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Permalink Reply by sk8eycat on October 22, 2011 at 1:06pm

I sometimes tell people that I respect their right to believe whatever makes them feel good, but I don't have to respect what they believe. Because I can't. I tried for years, and I just can't. (And I feel better now.)

Or, this oldie:

Do you beleve in Zeus?

No!

Do you believe in Isis and Ra?

NO!

Do you believe in Baal?

Absolutely NOT!!

Well, I just believe in one less god than you do.

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There's also (Ted) Sturgeon's Law: 90% of everything is crap.