**Respecting the Beliefs of Others**

What does it really mean to "respect other's beliefs"? Are their lines to be drawn, and if so where should we draw the lines? Furthermore, what does it mean to disrespect others beliefs, and is it the same as "not respecting" other's beliefs?

Despite their apparent shallowness, I think these questions are deeper than you might think. I also think they are particularly relevent to this forum.

What do you think?

 

I don't necessarily respect others' beliefs.

But, I do respect others RIGHT to HAVE different beliefs.

 

Ditto.

I can't see why we should respect ideas which we believe to be false and possibly a cause of conflict in the world, such as fundie religion, facism etc.

 

I don't respect someone's belief that I am a sinner or infidel and must die.

Sorry.

 

I covered this in some of the topics I just made in the Agnostic/ Atheist section.

 

It is possible for me to lose respect for someone's beliefs, but I feel very strongly driven to allow differing views the respect that I would enjoy. For example, I consider virtually all beliefs equally valid. In certain cases I don't. Like people who are aggressive, threatening, etc.
But, if you never will get a glimpse of my life, nor I yours, how can I demand they agree with me, or else I will consider them wrong? I think we are all different and can, all be right, or wrong.

 

belief, by deffinician is not knowledge, but possibility, and possibilities, until proven otherwise, which seems unlikely ever to be able to be, are endless. so just about any belief is just about as likely as any other or the abscence thereof.

many beliefs, within themselves, create paradoxes in this context.
which, however well intended, has proven most unfortuate for human history.

there is one thing however, reguardless of individual belief of abscence of it,
remains up to us, and that is to avoid messing everything up for each other.

every belief at least hints in numbering this among its intentions, though in some cases, only in the context of doing so its own perscribed way, which, almost universaly is less then 100% effective.

so it makes little sense to respect one belief more then another but to take each with the same grain of salt, while refraining from rejecting out of hand whatever potential wisedom each might possess.

how much right does one person have to practice their beliefs?
the same amount of right as they have to practice anything else;
generaly defined as "your right to swing your arm stops where my nose begins".

=^^=
.../\...

 

Good one, Libertine!

Must say, I'm gonna have to go back to the Intro&Guidelines for the P&R forum and reword it ...

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Respect means, literally, to look again. The commonly assumed meaning of the word denotes an attitude of appreciation toward those things we believe are worthy of a second look (or third, fourth, fifth, ad infinitum). Now, appreciation is good and that sense of worthiness is wisely perceptive, but until you "look again" at someone or something, whatever it is, all you are really doing is reminding yourself that you should respect him/her/it.

You are never compelled to adopt another's beliefs without questioning them, but you cannot possibly know what those beliefs actually are until you address them with respect. Otherwise, you are only accepting or denying your own beliefs.

I think it is also vitally important to recognize that a person's behaviors do not necessarily represent their beliefs.

Look again.

Peace and Love

 

Amen to that! I wish I could get Xtians to see this but it's not so easy.

bless you
Humans see sin through ugly perception not God

peace!!

 

If someone believed in hurting me to make me a better person, would I respect their belief? No way. I respect ppl, not beliefs.