Do you think it is reasonable/required to respect something you totally disagree with?
I know this is quite a broad question…but I was just thinking about the broad scheme of things today. For example (this is just an example that popped into my head, it does not have any relation or significance in my life):
If an atheist disagrees with a protestant, do you think there should be respect of beliefs between both parties? How about if it is two people who have more similar beliefs, such as a Muslim and a Christian (same God, etc)? Should the relatively similar parties respect each others’ differences?
I guess its a simple question. Any answers?
PS. How do you cope with the absence of respect between one or both of the parties?
Depends. I can respect a religion but I may not respect the actions of some of the members of that religion. Or, if a religion systematically taught violence (not saying they do, just following the religion example) then I would take a personal, moral stand against it and not quote-unquote respect it.
Then again, I’m probably overgeneralizing based on one example…
I think you can respect the person without respecting their beliefs. I also think there’s a difference in respecting and approving of something. This is hard to answer when it’s so broad.
Going on the religion aspect, I respect Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Atheists, Nihilists, Pastafarianists (or is that pirates???), and everyone. But that doesn’t mean I necessarily agree with or approve of their beliefs or their practices. Make sense? It’s not wrong to disagree with someones beliefs and think that they are wrong, stupid, or otherwise. We are entitled to opinions, and that’s included. But I do not agree with judging and treating people differently because of it. (though I do tend to do that sometimes because I am the farthest cry from perfect)
Coping with a lack of respect… Respect people even if they don’t respect you. Granted, that is easier said than done, but I absolutely believe in loving everyone no matter what (1 John chapter 4), even if they say you and/or your beliefs disgust them to the core of their being. But as far as dealing with the side effects of a lack of respect (hostility, whatever), it depends on the scale- whether it’s a personal, national, etc level.
Response subject to change.
There’s a difference between respecting a person and respecting what that person does (religion for example). There are some religions that, I’m not going to lie, I feel are wrong. However, I can respect that person even though I don’t respect that religion.
It depends what you mean by respect though really.
Interesting feedback.
respect: honor; esteem; high regard; consideration; attention
Does that definition clarify?
I think that you should show respect towards those things you disagree with and you should find out reasons why others may agree with it. this will help you to better understand your own stance on the issue.
In my opinion, beliefs and actions are so divorced that not respecting someone for a certain amount of beliefs they hold depends on their actions. Since religion was one thing you pointed out, there are plenty of Christians that do horrible things, and plenty of atheists that I think are great people. Gandhi was after all, Hindu. I myself am a pacifist, but I have a friend in the Marine Corps. Those two belief systems are diametrically opposed. The fact of the matter is that One certain belief isn’t enough to not respect a person. And I suppose there are varying amounts of respect. Even if someone is a murderer/rapist/member of Motley Crue, I respect them enough to be against their torture or death. That is the respect that comes from agape, or love to all people simply because.
Joel, that was brilliant. Bravo.
Amy, why can’t I be as to the point as you?
Drew, good point. But if in the end of learning more you still find that you disagree, I’d still say it’s okay to not respect what someone does or believes. For example, I will never respect murder or rape, but I will always respect the murderer and the rapist. Or do my best to, at least.
I would like to say this isn’t true… but I do lose respect for some when I see them doing things in their religion that either a- they should know is wrong or b- is a “bad” interpretation of what the religion actually teaches…
dunna if that makes sense. I really ought to write a smidgen about this.
Well. All these answers seem very deep. So I guess it’s up to me to brighten up the world with some digital cookies. Come on…you know you like cookies…..
Cole, do you mean hypocrisy?
I keep thinking about this, and about respecting others’ beliefs… Out of respect for the person, I think you should not try to openly degrade, put down, make fun of, or otherwise show blatant disrespect for what they believe, because it will probably be taken as disrespect to them as an individual. The more I think about it, and the more I read up on what the Bible says, the more it seems we should try to understand why other people believe what they believe, being respectful in all interactions. I read something today that was really neat. It said something along the lines of listening and containing your disagreement while someone is talking or expressing themself shows that you care about them, and that’s really what’s most important for them to understand: you really truly care, even to the point that you’ll suppress your objections to hear what they have to say.
I might be taking this in a different direction, but that’s okay.
Cole- What qualifies as a bad interpretation? One that you don’t agree with? I don’t mean this in a pointed way, but no philosophy is complete. Lets use Christianity as an example. Some people hold the interpretation that Homosexuality is wrong, because the Bible says so. Others hold that (for reasons spanning societal changes to the exact meaning of Christ’s teachings) this rule is either negligible or defunct. Which one of these is correct? I hold the latter, but I also know many people who disagree. Since our two views conflict, one of them must be wrong, or “bad”, or else there wouldn’t be a difference between the two. Now, my point about actionable beliefs is that while a belief about Homosexuality may be disagreed with, I don’t lose respect for people who disagree with me. A person like Fred Phelps’ actions are what I cannot respect, not his belief. That’s his own thing.
Heather- I agree with your point about listening. In a more civilized world, our news channels wouldn’t have people yelling and interrupting eachother. Telling me something won’t change my mind, necessarily. For example: racism. You can get the white power guy to talk to me about why white people are superior until he’s blue in the face. I’ll listen, because what annoys me is that whenever they have a white power guy on a TV show, he gets up to talk, and everyone starts booing and the guy just Siegheils and storms off. How childish to not let someone elucidate their opinion, no matter how wrong I might think it to be. To maintain a free and good world, we have to allow groups like the KKK and NAMBLA to speak(although I wouldn’t allow them to take any action that infringes on other’s rights) , that’s their right.
Heather, don’t take this the wrong way but thats “ghey”. I respect opinions but its in my nature to challenge them. Maybe its just me but I think debate is a great way of testing and strengthening ANY kind of faith. I suppose to some it may seem as if I’m mocking – and sometimes I am – but its never to be mean, only to debate it. I don’t know – it depends on whether you are down-and-dirty yell-at-each-other-debate or a nice peaceful “oh ok, thats nice” kinda discussion…. can you tell which one I am? heh 😀
Joel – You put into words what I could not. I can not agree more. That was just freaking brilliant. I COMPLETELY agree. I disrespect actions not beliefs. Cool. Like I can respect that someone may not like Atheism but when they go on public TV and slander it and the people who collectively share that (lack of) belief, I get furious.
Cool… Interesting interesting. BTW: Just to spam it up a bit, for Joel and others that have commented here, I try to post a deep thought or two over here at http://mickens.us including my most recent one about creationism and science (not the old evolution debate, something more philosophical). Check it out if you’d like.
Cole- I meant that if someone is trying to show you their beliefs and why the believe them, etc, it’s respectful to wait and let them finish and then tell them where and why you disagree. Not that you should sit in silence and smile and nod forever. I agree challenging things is good (it’s great!), but it’s better to wait and know exactly what you’re challenging, know what I mean? I agree with what you’re saying, though I have my personal doubts on the effectiveness of debating something like philosophy or religion.
I do hate when people slander and make assumptions, and prejudices, and generalizations simply because it’s skewing what actually is. But I do find it somewhat difficult to pick out some of those about topics which I am more ignorant of. Like if someone made assumptions and generalizations about, say, Hinduism, I probably wouldn’t notice because I don’t know as much about that religion.
Now I’m just rambling, so I’m done.
PS- I read through your comment again Joel, and I’m still wowed.
Too bad I didn’t discover this earlier. I like everyone here disrepect actions and not beliefs. Fred Phelps for example: I may respect his belief that homosexuality is wrong but the actions he takes I in not way respect. I may respect the belief that an atheist has that there is no God and that this world is the result of evolution; but when he begins to campaign against faith attempting to ruin the faith of other’s then that is when I lose respect for him.
Cole, I evenly get furious when an atheist goes on TV and slanders Christianity or any faith for that matter and the people that share those beliefs. I will check out your recent post on Creationism and science. I am very interested in the subject.
Going to heaven has been reesevrd for a little flock of 144,000 that are taken from the earth to rule as kings in the Kingdom of God. That is not my hope for my spirit does not bear witness with Gods that I am his son. My hope is to inherit the earth and have everlasting life when the wicked are cut off and the treacherous are torn away. When God has bought to ruin all those who are ruining the earth.Matt. 6:10: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.â€Ps. 37:29: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.â€Rev. 11:17,a018: “We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time .a0.a0. to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.â€
This “free sharing” of information seems too good to be true. Like communism.
mayo 28, 2010Hola apreciada Olguita:Leyendo este escrito me adentré al encuentro de sensibilización y reconocimiento que representó el taller. Un taller que desnuda la mente y el espÃÂritu y que crea lazos entrañables entre los asistentes.Felicitaciones apreciada Olguita por permitirle a los miembros de Vilactivos, tener el placer de vivir ese sábado colmado de emociones y aprendizaje.¡Un abrazo con especial afecto!