Respecting (Other) Religions

jolie:

When did criticism come into this? Just because I may not respect a person's views, it doesn't mean I'm going to outwardly criticise them in a rude way. I respect people's right to have a religion or an opinion, but that doesn't mean I have to actually respect their religion or opinion.

The author of this topic mentioned criticism in his first post.

^Yes, but to me it seemed like you were confusing not respecting something and rude criticism. They don't have to be the same, at least in my book. I don't respect certain religions, but I don't rudely criticise them, either. If that makes sense.

^ Disrespect is found in rude criticism.

Disrespect is construed as criticism.

^ Proper criticism does not disrespect.

If someone cannot criticise without disrespect then they are not a good debator.

Yes, that's true. But some people can't tell the difference

^ Yup. Those are the only situations where I don't agree with criticism, which is kind of how the author of this topic described it, so I just went along with that way.

Respecting other religions is a basic rule of society. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, if you don't agree with their opinion that is perfectly fine. Now find facts and evidence that prove that they are wrong, only then can you rightfully put them down. Even then though, courtesy is in order as it always is when speaking to another human being.

I personally am a Christian. I'm kinda new to the religion and am not completely sure of every fact of it. I myself have questions as I am sure some people who study Islam do.
What I have been taught, and I may be wrong, is the Bible is the Word of God through Man. It is said to be divinely inspired and Christians can back this with the canonization process which each book of the bible was put through before being made official. The original texts were found on scrolls in all sorts of different places and were dated back to different times but when put together the scripts were consistent. This is attributed to the Lord inspiring the Word as he is present in all times. This is what I believe and I have the right to it, that is why you should respect it.

Also, I have a small education on Evolution. It was founded by Charles Darwin. From the history lessons I have had on him he doesn't sound like the most trustworthy man but many of the founders of Christianity weren't perfect either. What leads me to disapprove of Evolution is that Charles Darwin himself later rejected his theory and changed his faith. Even then I still respect people who believe it because that is their right and they do have some evidence to what they are saying.

Islam, from what I have learned of it I know that the founding father of this religion was one single man. I know that it is based on Pillars of Faith, I know that they pray towards a Holy City and I know that their God is called Allah. I respect Islam because they have a foundation in faith and some evidence to their beliefs. I only have a basic understanding of their belief system and I have heard things of how it is put into action but I do not claim to prove them wrong so I cannot disrespect them.

There are many more religions that I could go through but in the end it just comes down to the FACT that all humans are entitled to their opinion because all men are created equal.

There are two basic rules that were taught to me as a kid:
The Golden Rule - Treat others how you want to be treated.
Thumpers Rule - If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Combined with the Constitution of the United States of America:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
What more reason do you need?

I've always been tolerant of every religion, but it might be because I was brought up like it, it may be harder for some others. It just irks me that people just can't get over that everyone has a chance to be whoever they want to be.

A large proportion of my friends are Christians, one is Wiccan, my step-brothers are Jehovahs Witnesses. To be honest, why should it matter to anyone else what religion you are? If we are to be intolerant of their beliefs, you should expect it straight back. I'm not sure whether this sounds close-minded or not, tell me if it does, I don't mean to be insensitive.

My friend Chinwe, who is a devout Christian, demanded the other day why I didn't believe in God. Why should it matter to any one else what you believe in? Religion is such a personal belief, no one has the right to judge you on it.

:) I hope that didn't come across as ...stupid. I do have a strong opinion on religion, and peoples intolerance of other peoples faiths really annoys me.

^Agreed.
And no, you did not come off as "stupid", Lois?!. You brought up a good point.

I have been tolerant of other religions as well. It's true that religion is an aspect of someone's life, but what should matter more is someone's personality, morals, and etc. Being intolerant of other people's religion is no different from being intolerant of other ethnicies, orientations, and genders. It's being intolerant of the human race in general.

And that, in my opinion, is not right.

Religion is a big deal to a lot of people. Be it Christianity or whatever. If you don't respect their religion, you start fights... and fights end in wars. Wars = bloodshed. :file:

No one has the right to say whether a religion is right or wrong, let them believe. It's free will.

^ exactly
It's the whole "To you is your religion to me is mine" thing.

Elizabeth Lavenza:

Religion is a big deal to a lot of people. Be it Christianity or whatever. If you don't respect their religion, you start fights... and fights end in wars. Wars = bloodshed. :file:

No one has the right to say whether a religion is right or wrong, let them believe. It's free will.

I don't believe in god or anything, but there are people out there who do.
So I'm not going to go and say that they're wrong, you believe in what you believe in.

People have the right to believe in what they want. What difference is it to you or me if we don't feel the same way, if we feel that what they think is stupid? It's insulting to challenge someone's faith and beliefs and try to tell them that what they believe is all wrong. This is as simple as I can state it - treat others the way you want others to treat you. Their personal beliefs fall under the same courtesy.

^I don't see why is challenging someone's belief insulting. Especially if their belief is potentially harmful to someone.

Xsoteria:

^I don't see why is challenging someone's belief insulting. Especially if their belief is potentially harmful to someone.

It's naturally a hit to their dinigty, especially if you got the better argument.

Another thing is... What is harmful? Everything, in general, can be both harmful and helpful. Even the most optimistic beliefs can get you sent to hell. How are we to judge what exactly is good or bad?

Emilia Rebel:

It's naturally a hit to their dinigty, especially if you got the better argument.

If they truly believed what they believed, then they would probably never admit the other person has the better argument.

zombi.:

Emilia Rebel:

It's naturally a hit to their dinigty, especially if you got the better argument.

If they truly believed what they believed, then they would probably never admit the other person has the better argument.

To follow from that, if they truly believed what they believed in they wouldn't let what other people thought/said offend them.

athletedutch:

Islam, although not as stupid as mormanism, is still based off what one man claimed God told him. quote]

Islam is not based on what one man claimed God told him, I think you do not know much about Islam otherwise you wouldn't have said that.

We have to respect other religions because if we do not respect each other, this will definitely lead to wars :file:

Xsoteria:

^I don't see why is challenging someone's belief insulting. Especially if their belief is potentially harmful to someone.

I don't see how it could be harmful. What do you mean by that?