Do we really need to respect other's beliefs?

[Siri137]

Automatically and by default? I don't think we should. What a person may believe can have some pretty serious consequences for others if that person happens to be powerful, influential or rich. I believe every belief should be questioned and thoroughly scrutinised, and nothing should be "taken on faith", for "the unexamined life is a life not worth living" as someone once put it. Many beliefs are not just wrong, but positively harmful, and for that reason alone shouldn't be respected.

[BoopBoopBeep]

No some beliefs are dangerous. Some are just stupid.

[AndrésC64]

No. Beliefs do not deserve respect, people do.

[normalice]

It is more about respecting the circumstances they had to endure to come up with those beliefs and understanding you would probably have those beliefs, too, if you had lived their life. It is not about giving them the benefit of the doubt or giving them assured attention or access to an audience. It's more about, if you have the time and inclination to engage them, you understand you have to meet them where they are comfortable if you want any chance of getting through to them.

Or course, pretty much no one is comfortable on the internet so respect here is basically impossible..

[IslaTheWitch]

what more can you do? Oppose? Try to change someone's beliefs? Fight them?

They believe their stuff you believe yours. Mutual respect to what we believe is needed. And it's not about taking someone's beliefs, it's only about letting them live their way as you live yours...

[handsomelad70]

To a point, but I don't respect bigots.

[Siri137]

No, but we can question them. Get the person to actually challenge their beliefs and assumptions. We certainly shouldn't treat them as being sacrosanct.

[IslaTheWitch]

Why do you want to question someone's beliefs? What gives you the right to do it? What we believe in is our personal space, and no one has the right to question it... At least as long as we don't break the law.

[Siri137]

"Why do you want to question someone's beliefs?"
Oh dear. I can't believe you wrote that. Well... because they should be questioned. EVERY belief should be questioned because, you know, the belief in question might be WRONG. Ex. the belief the Earth is flat, the belief we're being visited by aliens.

[Siri137]

What gives me the right? I have a BRAIN. It should be used. Only idiots accept everything they're told.

[IslaTheWitch]

people have freedom in what they believe and what they speak about... Even if it's wrong from YOUR perspective it's their right

[IslaTheWitch]

no, the brain gives you an opportunity to understand that laws are not relative. We have the right to our beliefs, even if someone else thinks they are wrong. It's called freedom.

[Siri137]

This isn't about "perspective". It's about the willingness to be open to new ideas, to move away from concepts that make one feel comfortable. Reality isn't a safe-space; it's challenging, dangerous, and constantly changing.

[IslaTheWitch]

not everyone HAS TO BE OPEN. And they have the right to stay close-minded. It's not YOUR decision

[Siri137]

Wow. Your last comment here. Yes, people can decide to remain closed-minded, but that's their loss. It's not something I'd recommend.

[IslaTheWitch]

of course, I also wouldn't recommend it, but it's still their choice.

[NathanDavis]

I don't "need" to

I just do it naturally

[JacobJordan]

Nope. If you want me to respect your beliefs give me a valid reason I should see it as a belief and not a mental delusion

[DJB72]

You have the right to believe what you choose. That doesn't mean I have to agree. Or even play along.

[handsomelad70]

You and I both, DJB72 .

[KostasKouvalis]

Hell no! I only respect beliefs that align with my own morals.

[Siri137]

So do I actually.

[KostasKouvalis]

Yeah, like for example I'm gonna respect people who believes murdering someone because they mocked your prophet is honorable.

[Anonymous]

Not really. Especially if they are overly extreme and involve hating or harming a person or a group of people on grounds other than the actions of those people.

[Twalli]

You should respect the individual who has those beliefs.
Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[Siri137]

That's not what I asked. I didn't ask whether we should respect people who hold differing opinions, but whether we should respect what it is they actually believe. I don't think we should, not by default anyway. Beliefs need to be challenged.

[handsomelad70]

Or the Detroit Pistons for being 29-125 over the past close to two NBA seasons.

[Siri137]

@handsomelad70 I have no idea what you're talking about.

[handsomelad70]

The National Basketball Association's (NBA's) Detroit Pistons were 17-65 (their second-worst record) in 2022-23, and will likely have their worst-ever season in 2023-24, as they are 12-60 with ten games remaining on their schedule. (They were 16-66 in 1978-79.) Thus, they are 29-125 over their past 154 games, by far the league's worst record in that span.

[Twalli]

@handsomelad70 not exactly understanding what that has to do with respecting possibly dangerous positions.
If someone else has potentially dangerous positions, you need to discuss it with thrm in a respectful manner and hopefully educate them to form better opinions.
For example, I had a classmate who was convinced that if Obama won the Muslims would kill all the Jews in Israel and thtm come here and do the same. While not necessarily dangerous since she was an 18 year old kid, someone with the power to do something who believed that could be dangerous.

[handsomelad70]

Hopefully, the young lady learned the error of her potentially dangerous beliefs.

[Twalli]

@handsomelad70 no idea, we last talked in 2009.

[handsomelad70]

We spoke in 2009 ? Where and about what?

[Twalli]

@handsomelad70 me and the girl last talked in 2009

[handsomelad70]

Sorry about that, Twalli.

[AngryCarl]

I wouldn't call anyone out for their religious beliefs unless they involve something utterly unacceptable like ritual sacrifice.

[Nifrayu]

No. Some people believe horrifying things and are cruel to others because of it.

[OtterMan68]

As long as those beliefs respect others' life, liberty, and property.

[handsomelad70]

Right on, OtterMan68 !!!

[In_Trance]

That depends on whether you want others to respect your beliefs or not.

[Tamera952]

Nope, not at all!

[sheikalana]

Absolutely.