Ok this is a more real question from me.....

[The Sherman]

And porbably a very important one!
Was watching telly this morning and saw an advert saying I should respect all religion. First off I dont like being told what to do by the telly 2nd should I?

[Lakitu]

What was being advertised that it calls for you to respect all religion?

You shouldn't need to be told, as a matter of course people should resepect other people regardless. Unfortunately it doesn't happen.

[beso]

Religion deserves no more respect than any other form of bigotry. The concept has been pushed hard by many religions and has no reasonable philosophical basis.

Religion promotes extreme prejudice against non-believers and is frequently used as an excuse to kill.

I especially refuse to respect the minions of Abraham who promote sacred texts that venerate genocide and the concept of a Chosen Race. Why should I have the slightest respect for those who eagerly await the destruction of life as we know it and a future where those who worship their flavour of God prevail?

All forms of worship are evil practices..

[The Sherman]

Have to say I agree with beso more than anyone else.

I dont see why I should respect them. By aligning yourself with christianity and then cherry picking the parts you want to believe doesn't mean that the people who cherry pick what they believe and then for example go and kill a doctor at an abortion clinic are any less/more wrong than the people that use it for good! If its in the bible then it has to be part of the belief structure.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I think we'd need to understand what they mean by 'respect'.

We should respect the right of individuals to hold any belief they wish, no matter how ridiculous, and not coerce anyone into following a particular dogma. We should universally respect the rights of individuals to act in respect of their beliefs in so far as it pertains to them and them only and we should *sometimes* respect the rights of individuals to act in respect of their beliefs in so far as it pertains to other people, by which I mean that celebrating Diwali or Christmas may involve some adjustment and tolerance on my part, but so long as it is not coercive or arduous, this should be considered reasonable.

What we should never respect is any claimed right not to be offended, examined or criticised. We should not respect any demand that coerces anyone into adopting different behaviours or accepting different treatment against their will or demands for deference or privillige.

[brionon]

Respect ? We do more than Respect-We allow un-elected Bishops to sit in the Lords and decide our laws. This ain't just respect-it's Lunacy.

[keyplus90]

The Sherman
Tue 25/11/08
10:46 Question Author
Have to say I agree with beso more than anyone else.

I dont see why I should respect them.


I can�t see the point of putting this question here if you have already made up your mind.

However as you have asked then the answer is more or less what Waldo said. Respecting the feelings of the others. I will add a bit more to it.

Once Muhammad (pbuh) said to his companions, �Do not say bad things about your religion and belief�.

�Oh Prophet of God, who would say bad things about their own religion� they asked.

�If you would say bad things about other�s belief then they would say about what you believe in, so indirectly you are saying bad things about your own belief, however if you do believe that your belief is better than the others then let them see in your day to day life and that would be better�. He (pbuh) said.

[chakka35]

I think we should make a distinction here between respecting on the one hand and showing respect (or not showing disrespect) on the other.

I don't jeer at religionists, however tempted I am to do so. When I am in church for social reasons I don't heckle the preacher even when I know full well that he is talking nonsense about Christianity. I just keep my mouth shut and think about real things.

But I certainly don't respect such carryings-on. I think that all religious belief is unutterably absurd and an insult to, a betrayal of, that intellect that evolution has given us. Religionists should be ashamed of the way they waste that gift.

[Octavius]

I do wonder why you picked out Christianity whereas the advert (which you claim to have seen) states ALL religion.

But on balance, that aside, regardless of your bias Sherman, I agree with Waldo completely.

[The Sherman]

My Bias is purely in within my own ignorance.

I know more about chrisitianity than I do other religions so in know way to I want to single out christianity its just I dont know enough about the others to pick on them as much!

If someone can show me something in another religion that is positive and shows some light on how we got here or evolution then I will be happy to listen.

but until then I hate them all equally.

[The Sherman]

To Keyplus
my very line
'i dont SEE why i should' is clearly me looking for someone to show me why i should respect religions.


I have to agree with whats being said in that I believe in frredom of choice so if thats what you want to do fine.
but someone on the street stopped me yesterday about jesus christ and i 'let him have it' he walked off in the end!
also when we respect individuals i just think its been let run to far! like someone said How the hell do they get a voice in parliament? why should they get to put big banners up saying were all going to hell!
thats where they lost my respect!

[The Sherman]

Gosh my spelling is appaling! I type whilst at work so always type in a hurry so apologies for terrible grammar!!!!!!

[China Doll]

Waldo and Octavius in agreement?! I think I find it easier to believe in God! ;0)

[Octavius]

Really wazzard? You haven't met me then.

Sherman, you can hate the religion as much as you desire. But this doesn't mean you should not respect people just because they belong to those religions.

How about the religion of the Navajo tribe - do you hate them too...?

[LazyGun]

Waldos answer was exactly right.

[The Sherman]

exactly Octavius- this is where ignorance comes to play.

BUT the navajo tribe, whilst they could have some really amazing teachings that we could all learn from, If we haven't been shown it by now then i'm afraid i shall remain sceptical.

and the flip side is do I respect their religion automatically when I dont know anything about it?

[keyplus90]

Sherman � As you said that you do not have enough knowledge about other religions apart from Christianity. I can give you a link or two where you may find about Islam. I would say that read about it, scrutinize it, feel free and be open mind.

http://www.islamonline.co.uk/

Just type a word in search what you want to know about.

http://www.irf.net/irf/main.htm

You may find Q & A on Islam at the bottom bit interesting.

[Davethedog]

Waldo nail on the head.

Atheism is a religious belief as well so any respect in this department is a two way thing, and remember anyone of a religious persuasion, any religious persuasion, no matter how balanced and respectful their argument, they will never actually concede anything because their right and your wrong. As I said respect is a two way thing

[keyplus90]

Wizzard � Be my guest and find out if I will give respect to your atheism or not.

[Octavius]

But Sherman, you used the words [religion] �I hate them all equally�.

Hate is a very strong word and transcends "respect/disrespect". So would you claim to aggressively dislike all religions (caveat: that you know [more] about) and give parley to those you know nothing or very little of? How about Buddhists? Do you hate them too?

I am a roman catholic and I respect peoples choice of belief systems, and their choice to not believe. Yet you would hate me for following a religion that you hate?