To dislike the idea that I should respect people's religious beliefs?

[lesley33]

I don't understand or argree with the growing belief in our society that religious beliefs should automatically be respected. Why shouldn't I be able to say that what a religion beliefs is wrong or plain rubbish?

I do believe that religious belief and practices should be tolerated unless they are clearly harmful e.g. children of god that preached sex with children. But tolerating religious beliefs and expressions is very different from respecting them.
So AIBU?

Depends!
I wouldn't share my beliefs with others unless they asked.
I think it's right to respect their right to believe what they want to believe but no necessary to respect that belief IYSWIM

I respect peoples rights to have religious belief, and good on them, whatever floats your boat. But, no, I don't feel the need to respect the actual beliefs themselves, when imo they are illogical and nonsensical. I keep my opinions on them to myself unless either expressly asked for an opinion, or when insulted by a religious person using their belief system as justification.

So, er, yanbu.

Surely everyone should be respected in every form of their life ? Take out religion, do you think you have a right to tell someone else that their child raising technique is wrong? Or that the way they choose to organise their home is wrong?

Sort of what ohdear said I think.
I

YANBU but this comes from a person who's happy to say that all religion is plain rubbish.

I have no problem with someone following a religion which harms no-one else and which they don't try to inflict upon me but if that religion preaches, say, war upon another, human/animal sacrifice, that women/homosexuals are second class citizens then will I respect it? Will I hell!

Because it's offensive and is the same as disrespecting anything else in another person.

You are being unreasonable.

Repecting someone's religion is the ability to keep your mouth shut if you think it's bullshit. To be honest, I've found people without religion want to talk about it most and actually seem bothered about what other people believe.

You don't have to agree with someone's beliefs to respect them. Everyone's beliefs are personal to them and unless they are beliefs which are harmful I am quite happy to respect that.

I would never try to force my beliefs on anyone and I would be upset if anyone tried to force their beliefs on me. My personal faith has no reason to trouble anyone so I can't understand why anyone would be unable to respect that?

YABU - everyone has the right to their beliefs and as long as they are not shoving them down your throat you should respect that.

You can say you don't agree which is completely different and your choice. However, if you were visiting a church for a wedding I am assuming you would show some respect for the people within it (thereby respecting their faith) and wouldn't for example wave your knickers in the air . That's all I mean by respect.

If a belief in some sort of nonsense gets you through the day, whether it be God or Fairies or Auras or Orbs, and nobody is being harmed, then good for you. Knock yourself out. I absolutely respect your right to believe in nonsense. Just don't expect me to respect the belief itself.

In fact, exactly what MickyDodger said.

I find it hard to respect people's religious beliefs too, OP. Obviously I respect their right to hold said beliefs, but the actual beliefs themselves, no. It just all seems like such a load of nonsense, I struggle to see why I should automatically respect that someone believes these fairy stories. The opposite is true if anything! Sorry, but I can't understand how anyone can really believe in god or the bible as fact, I really can't.

YANBU!

Don't be silly. You don't have to agree with anyone, just respect their right to believe something different. Much as you'd expect them to do for you, I presume? The 'respect' is for the right to a belief, irregardless of what the actual belief is. That is none of your business.

YANBU

Unfortunately religious beliefs are hard to separate from cultural beliefs.

If people get comfort from a belief in God and some of the religious rituals, that's fine by me BUT obviously I don't respect any form of genital mutilation, forced marriage, expecting one gender to cover up, the banning of condoms, homophobia, etc.

Of course if I go to a church, etc I do what is expected of me in that setting. But why should I respect someones actual beliefs just because they are religious ones?

For example, i am finding it more common nowdays for people to say publically please don't use God, etc as an oath as that is against my religious belief. I think I should treat this request in the same way I would treat a request not to swear i.e. consider it on its merits, but ignore the fact that the request is being made because of a religious belief. I have thus sometimes agreed to do this and sometimes not depending on the person and context.

I'm not religious myself, but I'm happy for anyone else to believe what they like and I'm not going to attack or insult them for it.

So while I don't accept their belief has any relevance to my life, I will respect their right to follow their religion.

I think it would depend on how much you actually know about the religions you believe to be wrong or rubbish. If, for example, you are getting all your information from Richard Dawkins or from friends who have read Richard Dawkins, then you are being very unreasonable.

The thing that really annoys me is when people who don't actually know what I believe or why I believe it ask the same, stupid questions over and over again without actually listening to the response. Or people who automatically assume that it's impossible to be both religious and logical/intelligent.

I don't necessarily think that all religions need to be respected, but if you are basing your lack of respect purely on what you assume to be true, then you are simply being an uninformed biggot.

Why do yo have to say anything at all? Why not just think what ou think and keep quiet?

YABU. It's simply good manners.

Do you regularly enjoy doing stuff deliberately to upset assorted people?

You have the right to disagree with anything you want.

What 'form' would this lack of respect take? What is it that you feel you are being asked to do now that does not sit well with you OP?

If you gave some examples it would be helpful.

I think it's more "respect other people full stop"

ie: you don't have to agree with them, or like what they practice, but as long as it's not actually harming anyone else, then just don't comment on it.
live and let live.

It only becomes a problem if they're inciting violence towards other religions (or non-religions)

Sorry x post. Why does it take me so long to type!!!

On that basis YANBU!

You don't have to agree with something to respect it.

I think YABU because OP says you do not understand the phenomenon. I have every respect for debate, but I do not think that the self-confessed ignorant are in a particularly strong position on this.

ah, jsut saw your last post.

I think with regard to the "blaspheming" - it's personal choice again, but surely it's just abiding by not using bad language in front of people you don't know?

I use Jesus and God as exclamations (despite being a practising christian), but I don't do in front of people I don't know, or have just met, because I don't know if it offends them.
same as I wouldn't say Fuck, shit or bollocks.

lesley even my local Priest uses "oh God" when irritated. Maybe some people are over pious....well in fact we all know people just like that I am sure.

How hard is it to be polite to people? If they don't like something, why would you continue to do it if it upsets them?

So yes, YABU. You are entitled to think what you like, you are entitled to believe what you like; but you are not entitled to be rude to other people because they don't agree with your views.

There are a lot of people on both sides who can give but not receive when it comes to offending/disrespecting anothers beliefs. I hate this.

IMO you should only
a) discuss religious beliefs or the lack of within context when both parties are happy to do so.

b) you should only dish out what you are prepared to get back e.g.
you should only be allowed to suggest that those who are religious are feeble minded idiots if you will accept without offence them calling you a godless heathen who will burn in hell.

Or you should only be allowed to suggest that not having sex before marriage is a completely idiotic idea if you will accept without offence them telling you that having children out of wedlock (which you did is disgusting and immoral).

I firmly believe if someone shares their beliefs and opinion on the bible with me, then I can do the same back without offence on either side.

Essentially if you can't take it don't dish it out.