Absolutely. If anyone has found something that works for them and does them some good, I'm not going to try and take it away from them, as long as they extend me the same courtesy.

So long as their behavior is, in fact, respectful, not just their words.

I will respect their right to believe as long as they keep me out of it. If it doesn't affect me, they are free to believe whatever they wish without my input.

Yes but I think they are nuts quietly. ?

That's my philosophy unless it violates Church vs. State with hate and discrimination.

No, I can't respect ignorance......

Of course, doesn't mean they get to make the rules though.

Unless you want to be a dick, in which case you might as well be a Christian.

You have to respect them and their right to believe, and I try, but I stop short of saying that you have to respect those beliefs. They can be decent people and still believe ridiculous bullshit.

Most people I know will identify as Christians if/when asked but are not active or associated with a church. They are usually the first to criticize many Christian beliefs and will actively ridicule and dismiss fundamentalists. For a very long time, I was part of that until I realized that I didn’t believe in the made up stories of creation and god/s and I finally understood that I was Agnostic and have been for a long time.

I have come to my realizations in my own time and would not have appreciated anyone’s attempt to push me one way or the other. Why would I not respect anyone's right to believe what they choose? They can do so as long as they cause no harm.

I think that, generally speaking, we should try to behave respectfully towards those who believe differently from us. I mean, avoid making insults or personal attacks, and try to speak and to conduct ourselves in a rational manner which promotes constructive discussion.

Having said that, we have a right, and perhaps a resonsibility in some cases, to voice our criticisms and disagreement with beliefs or arguments which are demonstrably wrong or illogical, or to beliefs, attitudes, or ways of thinking which are destructive, harmful, or oppressive.

We should try to be rational and to avoid being jerks, but we should also speak our minds and stand up for our points of view when called for.

I have always maintained, even when I was a theist, that it's not my job to spit on anyone's path. That said, when the practice of their religion conflicts with the health or safety of others, or when they insist on attempting to proselytize, or when it encourages hatred, intolerance, or prejudice, then all bets are off.

yes.

Yes.

"Respect their right to believe, not the belief itself." and the other hair-splitters are drawing an imaginary line and attempting to create a distinction that cannot exist.

If I believe that all opposed to my Religion must die horrible deaths, as commanded by my God, then you cannot say you support my right to believe without supporting my ability to act on that belief.

Because, if I put that belief into practice, then you must either continue to support my right to believe, and the actions compelled by that belief -or- you must now somehow say that I have the right to believe, but that my belief is not acceptable once enacted--which means you do not support the belief, nor the right to believe it once it goes against your belief that someone shouldn't act a certain way.

That position is untenable.

Belief exists only in the mind, not the world, therefore to oppose a belief is to oppose the believer.

If you oppose Nazism, you must oppose the Nazis operating under that belief.
You cannot oppose Nazism but support the belief in it.

I agree 100%

So this sentiment applies to Radical Muslim terrorists as well as Mormon door knockers equally, right?

They have the right to believe what ever fairytale they want doesn’t mean I have to respect it.

I respect everyone's right to be wrong ?

YES!

Although I agree with you in principle, in practice it doesn't work that way. It is they who push their ideas onto the rest of a society, even when in the minority. There are a very few exceptions to this, but they are indeed rare. So, although I have no problem allowing for the beliefs of others, I do have a problem with their incursions. I am particularly put off by pushing beliefs into the political arena where those beliefs are by default thrust onto society in general. They also try to work their ideas into the educational system and undermine science. No, I am not talking about any specific religion. There are a number of them jockeying for position. Take your pick.

Let’s see. I’ll just apply this old principle called the golden rule... Yep, the math checks out. I think we have to respect other people’s right to believe.

The paradox of tolerance says that respecting the values of others who would strip you of your rights is no necessary or desirable. If you would be a little more specific in what you mean, then it's a better coversation to have.

As an American citizen I respect everyone's right to believe what they want, as long as those beliefs aren't harmful to me or others. Thats what this country was founded on. Freedom.