Is it truly possible to respect a religion you don't believe in?

[Mirdath]

What kind of false dichotomy is THIS?? Respecting a religion itself (what we were talking about from the beginning) entails respecting both the practices AND the beliefs. Both are integral parts that make a religion what it is.

Respect for the belief should be assumed; respect for the practice goes right up until it can possibly negatively affect me or anyone else.

Christians, for instance, believe they are called to evangelize. When I encounter an evangelist on the street, my usual reaction to their ‘have you been saved?’ is ‘thanks, not interested’. By ignoring them, am I displaying a lack of respect for their belief? No! I simply don’t particularly want to be part of it, and I have that right, do I not?

You seem to be okay with denying certain religions the right to practice their own customs, and in doing so you are not being tolerant of their beliefs. “Forcing your own morality on them”, so to speak.

We have the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the free exercise of religious beliefs when the exercise of these rights does not infringe on those same rights of others. Does that mean human sacrifice is out? Yes, I think it does.

Perhaps we should continue with the example of divinely-mandated evangelization instead of that of human sacrifice – it sounds like it’s better suited to civil debate, and it’s something you probably have more experience arguing in favor of.

 

[exoflare]

We have the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the free exercise of religious beliefs when the exercise of these rights does not infringe on those same rights of others. Does that mean human sacrifice is out? Yes, I think it does.

Then we are in agreement. However, this is why avoided saying in the general sense that I tolerated all religions.

Perhaps we should continue with the example of divinely-mandated evangelization instead of that of human sacrifice – it sounds like it’s better suited to civil debate, and it’s something you probably have more experience arguing in favor of.

What issue do you have against evangelization? I agree with what you said here anyway:

Christians, for instance, believe they are called to evangelize. When I encounter an evangelist on the street, my usual reaction to their ‘have you been saved?’ is ‘thanks, not interested’. By ignoring them, am I displaying a lack of respect for their belief? No! I simply don’t particularly want to be part of it, and I have that right, do I not?

 

[Mirdath]

Then we are in agreement. However, this is why avoided saying in the general sense that I tolerated all religions.

What issue do you have against evangelization? I agree with what you said here anyway:

I guess we’re friends again!

 

[MelanieAnne]

The pope, for example, disrespected many people’s religions by proclaiming to the world that Catholic faith is the one, true way. That is not respect or treating people like Christ at all.

I disagree with your conclusion that the Pope “disrespected” anyone. But first you have to be very sure about what the Pope actually said, which is not a new thing, but merely the restatement of something said before. Have you read what was actually published or are you working off a news report because it can make a huge difference.

When you have read and studied what was actually done, perhaps you could come back and share your new understanding.

On another aspect, I applaud the poster who posted the Buckley story about “respect”. It is absolutely true that we, as those who benefit from the 1st Amendment, should respect the RIGHT of someone else to hold an opinion at variance with our own. But we do are not obligated to respect the opinion itself.

Taking that thought & carrying it to the “person” level, I am sure we are obligated to respect persons, whoever they may be and however they think/believe, after all, they are all God’s creations, but we are not obligated to accept their ideas about anything. Respecting their right to a different opinion is one thing, conceding to that opinion is something else.

 

[Mirdath]

Taking that thought & carrying it to the “person” level, I am sure we are obligated to respect persons, whoever they may be and however they think/believe, after all, they are all God’s creations, but we are not obligated to accept their ideas about anything. Respecting their right to a different opinion is one thing, conceding to that opinion is something else.

In my view there’re at least three possibilities: respecting the right to a different opinion, respecting the opinion itself as something that holds meaning to the person, and respecting the opinion as partially or wholly valid. I see no reason not to go with the middle option.

 

[Clovis]

It is completely possible to respect all righteous seeking figures of any religion. I personally know all nations and tongues will go to Christ in the end, as his prophecies of the end will bring all to him, and when He comes we will all mourn greatly and know the truth which will set us free.

 

[cheddarsox]

If you don’t respect the beliefs, then you aren’trespecting the people who share them. Beliefs are a person’s personal opinion. Disrespecting anyones’ beliefs is the same thing as calling them dumb and stupid. That is in essence what Pope Benedict did…

You don’t have to agree with the belief system, but do not treat it like trash unless it includes something like live sacrifice and other harmful things like that.

I don’t respect all people. But that is not the same as going out of my way to insult them or their beliefs. Neither is it the same as treating them as trash.

I can think of several religions, beliefs and people I have little or no respect for. That doesn’t mean I go around treating them poorly. I still respect their rights. Sometimes that is as far as I can go.

There is no way to force oneself or anyone else to respect everyone or their beliefs, but we can enforce respecting people’s rights. That is where tolerance comes in. I may not like it, or agree with it, but if it a protected right, I back off.

Pope Benedict stating what the teaching of the Catholic church are, is just that. The teachings of that church. If you believe they are true, then maybe it is time to investigate Catholicism as a life option. If you don’t, then why worry about it?

From what I’ve seen and heard, he didn’t go out of his way to dis on anyone’s faith. Making a statement of one’s own belief is his right, indeed his duty as pope.

I’m not Catholic, in fact, having left the Catholic faith, I’ve pretty much cooked my own goose according to the teachings of the Catholic faith. But I see no point in crying “foul” over the fact that they believe that. Their belief does me no harm. Their stating or discussing their belief does me no harm.

Saying “I think your positions are wrong.” is not the same as saying “You are stupid.”

 

[maisua]

What is r-e-s-p-e-c-t?

Strikes me that HH B-16 took a respectful posture toward us CCers as B-16 acknowledges “…these separated churches and Communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation. In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation…………….”

I suspect that the above would not have been written by any Pope from Pio IX to Pio XII. My guess is we were ‘anathema’ then—none of this ‘we believe’ stuff.

Or, what about the recent visit of the ABC to Rome, celebrating Mass [we AC dudes use that term] in Sancta Maria sopra Minerva?

Gotta see that as r-e-s-p-e-c-t, tho there are differences

 

[exoflare]

I guess we’re friends again!

 

[La-Petite-Fleur]

I’ve been told that people should respect other religions, other beliefs, and other gods. That is asking a little much for any Christian who serves our jealous and holy God. I respect everyone’s right (by way of free will) to choose their religion, I respect everyone’s right (by way of free will) to have their beliefs, even if these things are wrong. I don’t respect other gods.

I’ve found that sometimes people use the word “respect” when they really mean one should be polite. I have no problem being polite, but sometimes asking for us to actually respect a religion that denounces Christ, or to respect a belief that insults our Lord, or asking us to respect a god/dess is asking far too much. I respect free will. I don’t respect anything that offends God. I do respect any truth that is to be found in other religions. My respect only goes as far as God will allow.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’ve been told that people should respect other religions, other beliefs, and other gods. That is asking a little much for any Christian who serves our jealous and holy God. I respect everyone’s right (by way of free will) to choose their religion, I respect everyone’s right (by way of free will) to have their beliefs, even if these things are wrong. I don’t respect other gods.

I’ve found that sometimes people use the word “respect” when they really mean one should be polite. I have no problem being polite, but sometimes asking for us to actually respect a religion that denounces Christ, or to respect a belief that insults our Lord, or asking us to respect a god/dess is asking far too much. I respect free will. I don’t respect anything that offends God. I do respect any truth that is to be found in other religions. My respect only goes as far as God will allow.

good way of putting it! thanks for your post…i enjoyed reading it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’ve been told that people should respect other religions, other beliefs, and other gods. That is asking a little much for any Christian who serves our jealous and holy God. I respect everyone’s right (by way of free will) to choose their religion, I respect everyone’s right (by way of free will) to have their beliefs, even if these things are wrong. I don’t respect other gods.

Interesting point of view, and in line with W.F. Buckley’s riposte to Phil Donahue. In light of the first commandment (and second, if I understand Protestant commandments correctly) one might ask “If the God of the Bible doesn’t respect other religions, why should I?”

 

[Mirdath]

Interesting point of view, and in line with W.F. Buckley’s riposte to Phil Donahue. In light of the first commandment (and second, if I understand Protestant commandments correctly) one might ask “If the God of the Bible doesn’t respect other religions, why should I?”

If Mr Buckley is not Jewish, he may wish to reconsider using the Torah to back him up on that.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If Mr Buckley is not Jewish, he may wish to reconsider using the Torah to back him up on that.

I was a bit concerned about referencing the Buckley/Donahue exchange without telling the whole thing again, and it appears my concern was well-founded. Buckley was not talking about religion at all.

Buckley was getting the better of Donahue in an argument about what I believe was politics. Donahue protested that Buckley had to respect Donahue’s opinion. Buckley responded that, no, he didn’t have to respect Donahue’s opinion; only his right to have an opinion. The poster quoted seemed to be saying essentially the same thing as regards a moral obligation to respect the religion of another, which is why I mentioned the exchange again.