There is a general consensus in society, and even among many atheists, that respecting someone’s beliefs is a good thing. That being said, I don’t think people really know what they mean when they say it. I respect someone’s right to believe whatever they want, however in my experience when someone says ‘respect my beliefs’ they mean more than this. I feel what they want is for me to say that their beliefs are plausible and moral. But when it comes to most religions, I don’t believe that. I can make a pretty good argument against it actually, but I’ll save that for another post. Now I suppose I could lie and say I respect your beliefs so I don’t hurt your feelings, but frankly I think it shows more respect to the actual person if I am honest. Rather than treating them as a child which needs to be coddled I treat them as someone who can take criticism, is open minded, and can get along with those they disagree with.
I realize there are people who really just believe the moral parts of their holy book. They pick and choose. So I can’t really call their beliefs immoral. However if they then say they believe the Bible is the word of God and every word is true, as they often do, than their belief is logically inconsistent because of all the parts they ignore.
I suppose the reason it’s even an issue is that religious people identify with their religion (which is one of the ways religion makes it difficult for people to leave it). It’s hardly my fault that they do this, beliefs are conclusions about reality and for them to mean anything you have to be willing to stop believing them if the evidence warrants it, meaning you shouldn’t be attached to them and you certainly shouldn’t use them as the basis of your identity.
Why do they need our validation of their beliefs anyway? It seems kind of childish. I don’t demand they respect my perspective. Generally I feel that any thing or person which demand respect doesn’t deserve it.
Now to be clear I don’t think atheists should be dicks to believers. We can be both respectful to the person and honest about their beliefs. The fact that we find the belief to be immoral or implausible doesn’t mean we think the believer is evil or stupid.Many of us who are former believers realize to what extent we were influenced by the community we grew up in, as well as the influence of the belief system itself. And as someone who isn’t attached to my beliefs, I would gladly change my opinion regarding the plausibility or morality of religious beliefs if I had a reason to do so. I’m open to that discussion. I’m even open to my own beliefs (or lack thereof) being called silly or immoral, providing that can be backed up, because I would want to know if that were the case.
Sorry for rambling. What do you think?
skepticurus 