Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveG  Just because I respect someone's beliefs doesn't mean I agree with them or support what they believe in, nor does it stop me thinking that they're just plain wrong. I don't advocate any of the examples you've given, but then none of those are in the context of the discussion. Your post is a good example of someone that goes on the attack when they don't like something someone says. |
I don't consider that I was attacking you. I was asking you an honest question: do you respect those particular religious beliefs; your first and subsequent posts let me know that yes, you do.
I don't understand what you mean by the word "respect." The dictionary defines respect as "esteem for or deference to" or "to refrain from intruding upon or interfering with." These definitions would lead me to believe that either you regard highly people whose beliefs advocate murder and maiming, or you refrain from intruding upon or interfering with people who advocate murder and maiming. Do you have a different understanding of what it means to be respectful? Again, this is an honest question for you.
If I sound adversarial in this matter it is because I certainly do not hold in high regard people who believe that their god requires clitoris's to be sliced off or for apostates to be murdered, and I most certainly would interfere and intrude upon anyone attempting to appease their gods in these ways, and I don't feel they should be "respected" and therefore tolerated by society. As Steve Pavlina put it in his article, Silent Approval, for problems (like violent dogma) to be solved, they must first be dragged "into the light of conscious awareness (kicking and screaming if necessary.)"
Additionally, you say that none of these examples are "in the context of this discussion," which I find offensive and inaccurate. Please note that the main query in this thread's opening post is:
"So this is my question: what is your religion, and do you believe that it would be possible for people of your faith to live harmoniously with people of another faith?" and that the examples I noted refer to my beliefs: that violence is an inherent part of much religious faith, and violence is an obstacle to people living harmoniously together.