I don't agree with trying to convince someone their beliefs are wrong, many religious people push their beliefs on other people tirelessly and I don't think they should be pestering people like that, so I don't feel it is right to do the same thing back to them.

I think it is best for a person to naturally leave religion, with the experiences they have in their life.

That's reasonable. I have no respect for vegans, so that makes us even.

@KKGator Just out of interest why do you not respect vegans ?

@Moravian I find most of them incredibly annoying. Granted, I haven't met all of them, but the ones I have, have all been truly annoying.
I don't care what they will and won't eat. They're free to do as they please, but I don't want to hear about it.

@KKGator I agree that many animal rightists can be a bit "in your face" but considering some of the appalling conditions that animals are kept in, both for factory farming and some zoos maybe they have a right to. I only know a few vegans and they are nice pleasant people but if I have a sly dig at their lifestyle choices they will respond.

@Moravian To each their own. I'm not telling anyone else what to think or how to act. I just want them to keep their choices to themselves.
I'm quite capable of making my own decisions about things without their input.

@KKGator That's a pretty judgmental sweeping statement. I couldn't care less what you eat, and I certainly don't want to be judged for what I choose not to eat. I am not a vegan, but I AM an ethical vegetarian. That's my choice. I'm sorry if you find that annoying

@TheoryNumber3 Way to take it personally when it wasn't directed at you.
It wasn't "sweeping". Work on that reading comprehension. I don't care what you choose to eat or not eat. I just don't want to hear about it.
Whether you want to be judged or not, doesn't really matter. You will be. We are all judged over one thing or another.
Humans are judgmental beings. Whether they are willing to admit to it or not.

@TheoryNumber3 I'm sorry if you find that annoying

Hitler was a vegetarian. Those in his inner circle said his high bean diet lead to all manner of annoying bodily noises including thunder farts. It was not only annoying to others, it was annoying to him. He sought out a doctor who wasn't what he appeared to be. Instead the doctor was a feel good veterinarian. This lead to Hitler being introduced to feel good drugs which many historians claim affected his sanity.

@KKGator I think you guys are missing the piont. I'm not questioning whether the believer deserves respect, only their beliefs.

@Sdusmith I am under no obligation to respect anyone's beliefs. Just like no one else is under any obligation to respect mine.
I didn't miss your point.

@KKGator I agree. But then why would you mention respect for vegans if you understand that aperson can be treated as separate from their belifs?

@Sdusmith Initially, it was just meant to be a joke. It went completely sideways.

@KKGator Yes you're very respectful of the people. I believe you said every vegan you've met is "incredibly annoying". Sounds like a sweeping statement to me. You're a little cranky. You sure you're getting enough protein in your diet?

@TheoryNumber3 It wasn't a "sweeping statement". It was a very specific statement. Every vegan I have ever met HAS been incredibly annoying.
I didn't say that was all of them, just the ones I've met.
Work on your reading comprehension.

I'm not "cranky", I'm just don't go out of my way to pretend to be nice to people.
I generally don't like people at all, and I'm not going to pretend that I do just to make anyone happy. Other people's expectations mean nothing to me.

My diet is none of your business.

Unfortunately, while I do agree with the bulk of your statement, I don't believe it's possible to separate humanity from those who willingly choose to be deluded.
The majority of believers are entirely too stubborn to even consider they're believing in things that have never existed.

No. I'm not questioning whether a person deserves respect based on their belifs, but whether the beliefs themselves deserve our respect based simply on the virtue of being personal.

@Sdusmith you// me can respect them , but respecting the belief is not necessary, but I guess one could ask themselves:! By not respecting their belief is that really just a excuse to judge them ? Seems like a play on words . There is a old saying “
Do not envy those who oppress you, and choose none of their ways “.

@Outsideit67 That's a Bible verse. But I don't think it's applicable here. I don't think it's judgmental or intellectually dishonest to say, " I love and respect you, but your beliefs are absurd, erroneous, and plain wrong." People are more than their ideologies. So I can find your beliefs ridiculous, and still show you the upmost respect as I disagree with and correct you.

@Sdusmith whether it’s a Bible verse or not is of no importance to me . It is seldom that people can separate the two . I have people at work say “ I like my new neighbor, but I wish they were LDS etc,. Once we label fragmentation is in motion, who I am I or anyone else to correct someone else on these matters. That implies a right vs. wrong premise. I am aware of many in my life that have varied views of creation, religion , spirituality , atheist, agnostic and so on . I respect their position but I don’t accept their belief. I don’t attempt to correct them as well . I’m not implying that you do either .

But why should any belief that doesn't conform to reality be any different? Personally, I find it difficult to respect the belief that a prophet rode to a magical place in the sky on a Pegasus. Or that a magician who was born when a ghost impregnated a virgin came back from the dead. Why are those beliefs more respectable just because they aren't in and of themselves hateful?

Lol I think Hitchens referenced that quote once.

I think everyone agrees we should respect people, just not their ideologies.

@Sdusmith

Then how do I love most of my family or most of the world if I don't respect their Religion. I can't love without respect. Being fearless and a strong individual, I confront them at every turn if I don't agree, yet in a tactful way. When 93% don't respect religion here. While there are 80% of them everywhere. What are you guys saying you are disrespectful of most of your family and the world. You end up, with a serious attitude problem.

@Castlepaloma Again, you're conflating the beliefs with the believer.

Firstly, it's not your obligation to love everyone. It's perfectly justifiable to hate someone, or be totally indifferent to them. If that's what you want to do, that's great. But there's no rule that you have to love bad people to be a good person.

Secondly, it's ok to give an individual common respect and have no respect for their beliefs. People are more than their ideologies.

How about the belief that 2+2=5?

=5 or drill holes into their heads to be holly, I would stay away from.

I agree, people deserve respect. But that doesn't mean their belifs do also.

I think respect, in that you don't attack or piss on somebody without reason. Now, that means, said person gives me, whomever, the same respect. I'm using respect as a polite variant as I don't respect in the beliefs, but I do respect the person's right to believe them. Yes, there are many, very many, in the religious world who want to cram their thoughts and wants and beliefs down other's throats. Some want to control everyone's life with their laws. Now. For those people, they should have their arms broken off and shoved up their asses (ie Pence).

Respect is definitely something we do for others, but I would agree, as social animals, it benifits us as well. But should that respect be given indiscriminately?

@Sdusmith when I respect it is because the subject is worthy of respect., even though we might disagree.

Everyone is logically worthy of respect by virtue of their existence as a consciously aware being.

Because shooting them on sight is a short term solution.

Tolerance seems like an unwise response to what you described. Why do you think that's best?

@Sdusmith Because we have to live amongst them! And because it is futile to argue with idiots!

@davknight Tolerence to something harmful is always a bad idea. A lot of these people will never be enlightened, but that is not the case for all of them. I used to be deeply religious, and intolerant too. But I was reached. Peace can only come through confrontation.

Not really. Respect is more of a set of actions or actions restrained. But respecting people doesn't necessarily facilitate respect of their beliefs.