We're always being told we should respect other people's beliefs, but....

[Hakluyt]

.....what exactly does "respect" mean in this context? I am an atheist, and I am always happy to be challenged on my lack of belief, and am frequently told that I must have no moral compass and that I have to put up and shut up when Christianity imposes itself on me. I have also been told that I must have no sense of wonder- and, on on particularly memorable occasion, that I couldn't possibly have any charitable impulses!

But if I say anything even remotely "challenging" about faith or people of faith,bi am accused of disrespect. So, what exactly does respecting other people's beliefs mean?

There is a hugely broad spectrum of belief within Christianity, and it's frankly a bit boring to be mocked for beliefs I have never held
This ^

It must be "boring" to be mocked for any belief. The problem is that often any questioning is considered mocking.

Obviously it's rude to start a conversation by questioning someone else's beliefs. But if the other person starts out by laying out their beliefs, then surely it's OK to question? Particularly when the faith concerned gives its believers a position of privilege in society, or institutionalises unfair treatment of one group or another?

You get rude tossers in all religions are not.

As a woman from Glasgow, I abide by he golden rule 'thou shaly not discuss religion, politics or religion'. Some people like to bait other people for their beliefs or habits.

I respect the fact that people may or may not have deeply held beliefs but I am not the person who can convince them otherwise, nor should I take the piss.

I know the whole 'but what if they believe that women are inferior, or think its ok to kill' but I've never actually met anyone who holds such views.

"I know the whole 'but what if they believe that women are inferior, or think its ok to kill' but I've never actually met anyone who holds such views."

Really? You've never met anyone who thinks women are inferior?

I don't think religions (of many and varied types) have the monopoly on thinking women are inferior.

I think the whole respect thing is quite simple. If you don't respect other people's religious beliefs, then don't come wahwahing when they challenge yours.

Simples.

Hak- you have seen there's a new Unexplained topic for you to get your teeth into? So you can maybe divide your time between "challenging" people with religious faith and woo-sters?

Not anyone who has given me cause to believe it in a religious way. I've met sexist men and women - but this discussion is about religion.

"Hak- you have seen there's a new Unexplained topic for you to get your teeth into? So you can maybe divide your time between "challenging" people with religious faith and woo-sters?"

Fortunately,woo-sters don't usually demand special treatment, or expect to be given a privileged postiion in society.......

MexicanSpringtime You said this:

Saying things like believing in Jesus is like believing in Thor or Fairies to a practicing Christian is very rude and desrespectful of the person

I guess you must have read my post but not understood it. It's offensive because 'everyone knows' that people who believe in Thor or Fairies are stupid/immature/fools.

Right?

DioneTheDiabolist good of you to offer advice, but I think the OP can decide if she wants to start a thread or not. Consider applying to MNHQ to be a moderator if you feel strongly about it.

Excuse the multiple posts, but I'm catching up then need to go.

TheWordFactory You say you find it very easy to respect the faith of others. but not respect certain aspects of their religion which I consider inherently wrong.

So surely that means you only respect beliefs you agree with? Nothing wrong with that. But some people are saying you should respect beliefs you find morally repugnant.

"So surely that means you only respect beliefs you agree with? Nothing wrong with that. But some people are saying you should respect beliefs you find morally repugnant."

I think that's my problem. I don't see why having a belief gives you a free pass to hold unacceptable views or be abusive to other people. I am not prepared to be silent when someone says that their religion means that, for example, mensturating women are unclean and therefore are not allowed in the marital bed, or that women should dress modestly to help men control their sexual desires. Or that they have to surgically remove part of their baby boys. Or their pre pubescent girls. Or that they have a right to a wider choice of state school places. But any questioning of views like these is called 'disrespectful"

IMHO, people who are convinced of their superior intelligence stop learning and end up among the ignorant.

Wait a minute, as a theist you're the one who reckons they have superior intelligence, you obviously think you've worked out which god is real, which you would have used your brain to deduce yes?As an atheist I'm saying 'I don't know' and can't make a decision because I don't have the information/proof I would require to believe.

the lines of 'AIBU not to sleep with my partner during my period because I'm in such a mess most of the time' but did not mention religion....would it have the same response.

You're missing the point. In your above scenario the woman has decided it for herself, although I would expect posters to suggest she use a better form of sanpro. With the religious reasoning you don't do it because god a or god b or whatever has said not to even though there is no logical necessity for it.

Hakluyt, when MexicanSpringtime states that "too many atheists hear the word God..." and goes on to describe the stereotype of the white bearded patriarch in the sky, she isn't generalising about atheists, though, is she? She doesn't say they all do it, just that, in her opinion, too many do it. Too many might be one.

When you state that "often" any questioning of belief is taken as mockery, surely you are similarly generalising (or doing so too a much greater extent). I have had my beliefs questioned and had them mocked. Both happens sometimes, and I'm quite aware of the difference between the two. The former is great, it's great to debate and discuss belief, the latter is upsetting and horrible.

How could someone mock atheism? Let's try it as an experiment.
Be as mocking as you can about it.

What about having your faith mocked is upsetting? I know that sounds like a daft question but I'd like to unpick the thoughts and feelings behind your response. See, I've never felt upset by someone challenging my position, I'd like to try and understand where/why those feelings are created.

That's a very interesting question, headinhands.

And what constitutes mockery? If i say that for me, belief in God does not differ from belief in fairies, or Thor, or any other mythical being, is that mockery? How could I express that mind set in a way that would be acceptable?

I think the fairies thing is trite and unoriginal rather than hurtful. For me anyway.

I certainly don't get hurt by people questioning my beliefs. I have rarely felt my faith has been shaken.

I have changed my point of view though and now fully understand and support people who object to religious services or worship in schools.

I wouldn't have changed it if I hadn't listened.

Trite and unoriginal, yes. The comparison often gets pedalled out.
Because it's accurate.

I don't believe it's accurate in any way. Unless there is a whole belief system based on fairies? If you are comparing a belief in the existence of God with a belief in the existence of fairies at the bottom of your garden that suggests more of a gulf in understanding rather than an accurate comparison.

But I would be genuinely interested in what you're saying. I've had my mind changed more than once on here.

I don't mean I'm going to start believing in fairies by the way but would be interested in where you mean and where you think the comparisons lie.

Apologies if this is taking the thread off topic.

I take the comparison with other gods absolutely. But still don't understand the relevance of pixies and fairies. My knowledge of belief systems based on their existence is sadly limited.

Good question. For some people I suppose it is because of upbringing, where they live and so on.

If I'm being entirely honest I was a Christian because my parents were. If I'd been born else where to different parents then I would imagine I could just as easily be a follower of Islam or Judaism.

Now I'm a Christian for slightly more complicated reasons. None of which are based on 'evidence' of the kind I suspect atheists would find acceptable.

People did believe in fairies, absolutely.

The Victorians were keen, I think.
They were in Shakespeare weren't they?
I am sure there is a wealth of info on fairy (fairie?) belief going back an awful long time.

Not sure why it is being seen as taking the piss. What's wrong with believing in fairies? Or Thor for that matter, the Nordic belief system was well defined and practiced.

Going to google fairies now