To think not all opinions deserve respect?

[SmartDisagreement]

The internet has convinced people that every view is valid. Some opinions are uninformed, harmful or downright stupid.

AIBU?

It's an interesting one - I think I'd generally support their right to think that, and even their right to say it, but I would feel equal freedom in telling them my opinion of the morals and decency of a person who'd use that sort of thread as an opportunity to treat someone that way, particularly when that person is vulnerable.

I support the right of people to have opinions I think are ignorant, stupid or twattish. I also support the right of people to point it out when they think other opinions are ignorant, stupid or twattish.

I positively celebrate it when people bring actual arguments to the table, whether I agree with them or not.

Every view is valid in that it exists. But some views are better informed, more constructive, more impactful, more relevant than others.

Yes, that's valid. I agree there's potential for harm (as I see it) on those threads. But provided that everyone stays within the law (and talk guidelines) I think the lesser harm overall is to allow people to speak freely. Typically you get a balance of views from both sides, with people invariably challenging the more extreme stances. One of the biggest concerns about online discussions with strangers is the impact on vulnerable people, which can only be mitigated by other balanced posters weighing in, and by moderation. I actually think MN mostly gets the balance right.

I think that as long as an opinion is sincerely held then it has merit and should be respected. That doesn't mean I have to agree, it doesn't mean I have to support it, but it doesn't automatically have less value than another because I don't or can't agree.

Even opinions that I find morally repugnant should be allowed to exist - as much as I'd like to shut them down because they don't align with MY values doesn't mean I get the say on what is objectively right.

That is very true..

I don't mind people having a different opinion to mine as long as it is not harmful. I also think that some people are incapable of voicing a different opinion in a respectful manner. There is no need to swear at me and to call me vile names because you disagree with me.

I will always respect somebody’s right to hold an opinion but see no need to respect the opinion.

I agree with you OP.

A lot of people confuse receiving criticism (or even social consequences) with not having free speech.

They think “Free Speech” is any platform of their choosing and absolutely no criticism or negative comment.

I think that people think that everyones opinion or view should hold the same amount of weight as each other, from the man on the Clapham ominbus to the scientific expert.

Yes - this!! I just wrote this - should have read your comment first.

Dear God…..

(The hypocrisy in this post is rather stunning by the way.)

The same applies to religious beliefs. I respect people’s right to hold their beliefs and practise their religion so long as it doesn’t damage anyone else. I do not respect the beliefs themselves, because I consider them to be infantile magical thinking.

People have got too accustomed to the idea that they have a right not to be offended. They don’t.

So telling somebody their opinion stupid or based on a misunderstanding of data is “Nazi Germany”.

Sure.

I think a lot of stupid people confuse respecting someone's right to have an opinion with respecting the opinion itself. They then get very agitated when people are critical of their opinions, because they're labouring under the misapprehension that opinions are sacred and that they should be allowed to spout any old shit without challenge or repercussion.

Somebody choosing not to engage in conversation with you is NOT shutting down debate. They only control who they wish to converse with. You are free to debate with willing participants.

Yes and Im not sure how it has come to be that religious belief is treated differently in terms of the law and equality and diversity concepts, to any other belief

Special dispensation in terms of faith rooms or prayer times or religious clothing for something that someone chooses to believe.

Who is the arbiter of whether opinions are stupid? If it's a personal belief then it's subjective. It doesn't make the opinion automatically stupid.

Some people are of the opinion the earth is flat.

I think that opinion is stupid.

Depends on what sort of opinion it is, doesn't it?

'I like Indian food best'

'Postmodernism is nihilistic drivel'

'Blue is the prettiest colour'

^all subjective and equally valid.

'Climate change isn't real'

'Women are unfit for leadership roles'

'The future is in oil'

^all opinions which can be disproved by independent fact and therefore 1) are stupid, and 2) lack both the validity that comes with being true and the validity that comes with being purely an expression of personal opinion

Yes I suppose scientific opinion is easier to dispute.

The problem with "respecting views that don't cause harm" is that harm is subjective. I disagree with anti-migrant protests, but they believe they are protecting women and children. I disagree with anti-abortion protesters, but they believe they are saving a child's life. So how do you define a harmful opinion?

I teach teenagers about ethical issues. They have lots of personal beliefs that are based on absolute bollocks that they've skimmed past on tik tok. I am perfectly happy to tell them that whilst they absolutely have the right to those beliefs, I and anyone else have a right, in my case I think a duty, to show them the holes in the evidence, the echo chamber, confirmation bias, ad hominem and straw man techniques used. And no one has the right for their belief to go without (respectfully) being challenged. If they can defend their view with decent quality arguments, that's fine. If their evidence starts with "I saw this thing on YouTube..." I rarely let them finish.

Everyone is entitled to hold an opinion even if it is harmful to others. But they are not allowed to act on their illegal opinions.
Someone might believe that caning a child is a useful form of discipline and they are allowed to hold that opinion and voice it. What they are not allowed to do is cane children.
Not all opinions are equally valid.