Hardships of Being Atheist

[Thorne]

Which is why I believe we should teach not only tolerance, but respect in every venue where as the beliefs of others are conserned.

Tolerance of beliefs, to a point, I can agree with. Respect of the individual, absolutely. But respect for a person's beliefs? No, I can't go that far. Too many people believe in too many ridiculous things, and not just religious beliefs, for me to automatically bestow respect on them. I can respect their RIGHT to believe, but I don't have to respect WHAT they believe.

[denuseri]

Tolerance of beliefs, to a point, I can agree with. Respect of the individual, absolutely. But respect for a person's beliefs? No, I can't go that far. Too many people believe in too many ridiculous things, and not just religious beliefs, for me to automatically bestow respect on them. I can respect their RIGHT to believe, but I don't have to respect WHAT they believe.

And that my friend saddens me, especially coming from one such as you, its exactly why we still have: wars, intolerance, hatred, fundamentalist zealotry and every other manner of evil perpetrated, in which different beliefs are set in opposition to one another.

[Thorne]

And that my friend saddens me, especially coming from one such as you, its exactly why we still have: wars, intolerance, hatred, fundamentalist zealotry and every other manner of evil perpetrated, in which different beliefs are set in opposition to one another.

Exactly my point. The people who have those beliefs want respect for their own without giving respect for anyone else's beliefs. If people could learn to respect the person and ignore the superstitions we'd all be a lot better off. That does NOT mean remove religious belief, but don't give that belief any respect just because some believe it. Especially when the vast majority of "believers" only believe what they've been taught to believe since birth, and not because they know what the hell they're believing.

Amazingly, just after writing this I came across this video, which speaks to the same topic far more eloquently than I can. Enjoy!