Respecting Religious Beliefs
Kele had an interesting post, based on something he read at A Mississippi Atheist’s Perspective, about respecting religious beliefs just because they are religious beliefs. Of course, I agree with them both that while respecting the right to have religious beliefs is essential in a free society, there is no mandate to respect the beliefs themselves. I have a long history of supporting freedom and making fun of stupidity.
I think it likely that this automatic respect for religions probably stems from the confusion and synthesis of cultural relativism and moral relativism in popular circles. When these two ideas are combined, the result is a doctrine stating that all cultures are different, but equal. Religion is an outgrowth of culture, and therefore falls under the same rules.
While nearly all religious beliefs are false, some are also exceptionally stupid. I’m reminded of one particular Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy (from Saturday Night Live)… “Call me old fashioned, but I believe in one god. His name is Zorton and he lives in the lake behind my house.” This is from memory, so it may not be quite right.
If you want to believe something false, but noble, I’ll show respect while I try to explain that you’re wrong. If you want to believe something exceptionally stupid or dangerous, I am under no obligation to respect your beliefs. Ever hear of the Raelians? Ever read about the history of the Book of Mormon? Are we really supposed to respect these faiths? What about Thugee or the human sacrifices of the ancient Mesoamerican religions? Are we to respect those deadly religions as well?
I do not respect religion. I respect a few religious individuals who live admirable lives, but I don’t respect the fact that it takes blind faith in invisible beings and eternal damnation to make them live those lives. While bent on the destruction of religion, I will always support the freedom to practice it. I will not, however, legitimize it.
~I AM~
August 5th, 2005 at at 1:46 am
I may ‘tolerate’ some nonsense; but never respect it.
August 5th, 2005 at at 6:22 am
I respect a persons right to believe what they want to believe even though I do not respect or accept what they believe. They are entitled to believe whatever they want just as I’m entitled to believe whatever I want. But that also gives me the right to laugh, walk away, or whatever I might feel like doing when they choose to push what they believe at me or down my throat.
August 5th, 2005 at at 7:38 am
Well said, I AM, well said
August 5th, 2005 at at 9:05 am
Following your link to their site, I just read a little about the Raelian religion. I knew the basics anyway, and obviously it’s highly likely that they’re wrong about us being intelligently designed by aliens, given the evidence for evolution. It’s also likely that they are wrong in claiming that they communicate with aliens. However, I don’t see:
A) Why you seem to say that they are dangerous. It seem to me that they have a Utopian vision in mind for the future, but it doesn’t seem that they are dangerous.
B) Why their beliefs are less worthy of respect than Christianity or Islam. Without evolution as a choice, I would be more inclined to believe in alien creators than gods.
August 5th, 2005 at at 11:09 am
Matt:
Stupid OR dangerous. I don’t think the Raelians are dangerous. Dangerous was primarily referring to Thugee and human sacrifice. Actually, even Mormonism is a little dangerous.
I don’t believe I said that Raelianism is less worthy of respect than Christianity or Islam. I’m using it as an example of a fringe religion that nearly everyone finds silly. The vast majority of my readers have been a part of Christianity at some point in their lives, and almost all of them are surrounded by Christians on a daily basis. It’s much easier to take something seriously and feel the need to show it respect when it’s the norm. Not too many people that read this blog know Raelians.
“I do not respect religion.” Christianity and Islam are religions. If you’re worried that I’m cutting monotheists too much slack, rest easy.
August 5th, 2005 at at 11:55 am
Why doe people think that respecting others beliefs is a necessity or an obligation anyway?
Sure, any old schmoe can believe anything they want to. Welcome to freedom. But freedom is a double edged sword. If your beliefs are stupid, and you have a right to hold them in your heart, then I have a right to laugh at you and let you know what I think.
A society that does not get offended occasionally is a society that is not free.
August 5th, 2005 at at 12:08 pm
It is often difficult for the religious to see the distinction between respecting the right to hold their beliefs and respecting the beliefs themselves. I always use racism as an analogy. A racist is free to believe that he is superior to other races, but the rest of us are all free to ridicule his beliefs (and most people would feel morally justified in actively arguing against the racist’s beliefs and also making sure that the racist’s beliefs were not codified into law).
I think a lot the “persecuted Christians” in this country are trying to blur the line between respecting their beliefs and respecting their right to believe in order to play the discrimination card. If they can’t post the ten commandments in a government building, then they claim we are discriminating against them (their right to believe) when really we are merely keeping their religion out of our laws (respecting their beliefs). Their discrimination argument wouldn’t sound so convincing if it was the truth (”The government should not be in the business of promoting religion”) and thus they intentionally twist the truth in order to make themselves out as victims (”We are being discriminated against because the government won’t let us promote our beliefs”).
August 5th, 2005 at at 2:52 pm
I think I AM is correct in saying that this stems from cultural and moral relativism. All beliefs and cultures simply are not equal. An Islamic culture which is extremely repressive to women and brutal to all is much much inferior to the culture we have today in the U.S. (although with current trends it looks like we’d like to level the playing ground some day).
No belief deserves to stand above criticism. You have to want to believe ridiculous things for you to even want your ideas not to be criticized. I love to read good arguments against things that I believe because it helps me refine my worldview to be more correct.
August 5th, 2005 at at 3:23 pm
I completely agree. The false concept of respecting beliefs to the letter is one of the few things that frustrates me about my school system; every time I try to engage in a debate at school, I am stopped because of these asinine rules.
Oh, and people often that respecting a person and respecting their beliefs is the same thing, which also gets people mad at me…but we all know that people take religious debates personally.
Heh. Jack Handy is hilarious.
August 6th, 2005 at at 2:49 am
You think Mormonism is a hoot? Check out Scientology.
August 6th, 2005 at at 11:17 am
Charles:
I keep meaning to post about Scientology, but it’s like shooting thetans in a barrel. This site is fun if you want a quick intro to Scientology.
August 8th, 2005 at at 1:54 pm
I dont know why you guys can’t respect my beliefe that a flying spagetti monster created the universe.
http://www.venganza.org/
August 9th, 2005 at at 2:36 pm
Respect is something which must be earned, and it is something that should be lost following centuries of horrible outcomes. Should we really respect the right to believe in god? Do we respect the right of the schizophrenic to believe that she is saving the world by killing her children? No, we treat her delusion. Why? Because it is harmful. Religion is no different. Like you, I respect many religious individuals. However, I do not respect religion. It is a destructive force that humanity must outgrow.
August 10th, 2005 at at 9:55 pm
Well, there are some religion that we can tolerate. But Christianity and Islam…NO WAY. What really pissed me off at these 2 is when they try to convert others to join them.
By the way, nice site. May I have the permission to link it to my site. Thank you
August 10th, 2005 at at 11:34 pm
Link away. Thanks for the compliment.
August 15th, 2005 at at 6:14 pm
I’m enjoying reading your “Journey of an Atheist” series… I’ve always been an atheist/agnostic, though I grew up in a very Catholic town, had Catholic girlfriends, and a Catholic stepmother. It’s interesting reading about it from a different point of view.
The quote you attributed to SNL is actually from a (much funnier) show called “The State”, which used to be on MTV. These are the same people who do Reno 911 and Stella now. The skit was called “Old Fashioned Guy”… there were at least 3 different versions:
“Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I think there’s only one true god. His name is Zorgo, and he lives in this lake.”
“Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I think we should worship the sun and moon as powerful gods… and fear them.”
“Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but it seems to me that when the giant that holds up the earth dies, we are screeewwwed!”
August 15th, 2005 at at 7:05 pm
Nate:
Jack Handy must have ripped them off, because I’ve never seen that show. I’m pretty certain I saw this on SNL.