# On Respecting Others' Religious Views **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 29, 2004, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177 "2004-03-29T22:19:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/81 "2004-03-31T03:58:04Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Pathetic. Same place as your debating skills. _smiles_ Lemme know when you can back up any of your points. Until then, I doubt you should be lecturing people on their debating skills. Or is “: rolleyes :” considered a new debating tactic? I don’t know, I must have missed that part. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/82 "2004-03-31T04:00:59Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Actually my credentials are not in this thread because it is not what this thread is about. Your hijack already led to this, and your need to show off to us is bordering on insulting. This isn’t the pit btw. No, iti s great debates, and the topic is respecting other people’s religion. Your point was that “all religion is stupid and all religious people are delusional,” which I don’t know what has to do with respecting people’s beliefs. I merely pointed out that your claims were baseless and ignorant, and you went out of your way to demonstrate. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/83 "2004-03-31T04:02:06Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Ahh, how cute! Yes, I did write that. What does that have to do with anything, much less your obviosuly rather lacking debating skills? You really are reaching into left field now. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/84 "2004-03-31T04:03:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Daniel P Gilfoy wrote: > \> Hey, you wanna go around? I’m right here. I am not > \> going to walk into a banning by hijaking that thread. > \> You think your cute, how about I track your ass down > \> and give you an ass whomping? > \> > \> Read the thread ass twit, it isn’t about you. At this > \> point right now you have pissed me off, I am willing > \> to spend a few hundred dollars to track you down and > \> turn you into a puddle of goo. Your ass is mine. I don’t see how that was absolutely necessary. I thought you didn’t care? But hey, if you do get banned, at least you can rest easily knowing that I didn’t turn you in. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/85 "2004-03-31T04:04:09Z")
Yes, I said that was my opinion, I never said that I could or intended to prove it. All you did was make an enemy for no reason other than some flaw in your ego that made you need to prove something. Yay, you have greater debating skills than me, whoop de doo. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/86 "2004-03-31T04:05:14Z")
> [@Zagadka](#): > > I don’t see how that was absolutely necessary. > > I thought you didn’t care? > > But hey, if you do get banned, at least you can rest easily knowing that I didn’t turn you in. Uh huh, I really wrote that. :rolleyes: Try again. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/87 "2004-03-31T04:06:45Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Yes, I said that was my opinion, I never said that I could or intended to prove it. At least you are a little honest. > [@](#): > > All you did was make an enemy for no reason other than some flaw in your ego that made you need to prove something. Yay, you have greater debating skills than me, whoop de doo. _shrugs_ If you say so. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/88 "2004-03-31T04:09:03Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Uh huh, I really wrote that. :rolleyes: > > Try again. I dunno, all I know is that I got an e-mail from a [coeus@swbell.net](mailto:coeus@swbell.net) threatening my life about a thread that you were insulting me rather frequently in. I don’t see anything in _my_ side that would point to me writing a fake letter. I’ve done nothing but be honest about each issue. You, on the other hand… well, let’s just say that you are suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/89 "2004-03-31T04:14:57Z")
I could say something about how terribly hard it is to find an email in a posters profile but screw it. I’m walking away, walking away. I’ve never sent a letter threatening somebodies life. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/90 "2004-03-31T04:15:11Z")
Respecting other’s beleifs is an essential social skill now a days. Specially in a world full of theists. 🙂 I really don’t care about religious views. You want to believe in the invisible pink fairy/unicorn/apostle/whatever be my guest. The ONLY problem I have with other people’s religious beliefs is when they try and force me to live by their tenets or religious dogma. Some well known examples: ‘teaching’ creationist myth in science classrooms, ban on gay ‘marriage’. But there are many other examples too, they are not hard to find. As long as you don’t do this, I’ll respect your beleifs as much as you respect mine 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/91 "2004-03-31T04:16:50Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > I could say something about how terribly hard it is to find an email in a posters profile but screw it. > > I’m walking away, walking away. _shrugs_ Have fun > [@](#): > > I’ve never sent a letter threatening somebodies life. If you say so. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/92 "2004-03-31T04:24:21Z")
I would like to make a few comments on recent events. I believe that, quite obviously, I have demonstrated the necessity of respect for another person’s beliefs, religious or otherwise. Without that basic respect, the fair and objective process of discussing beliefs to further knowledge, and, indeed, to fight ignorance, results in what I’m sure most of you have witnessed above - name calling, threats to individual’s lives, and so forth. When you lack the basic respect for the differing opinions of people, you lapse into a position of “me against them.” Trying to attack another person’s belief systems instead of rationally discussing them leads to hatred, anger, and, of course, the dark side. Proudly proclaiming that you don’t have any respect for the beliefs of others leaves you open to hubris of your own beliefs. Part of respecting other people is respecting yourself, and thus it stands for belief systems. You are more than welcome to not respect people’s beliefs, but I do hope that you have the proper restraint to prevent blind hatred from covering your vision and motivations. In summary, lack of respect only opens your mind to further ignorance of individuals, humanity, and in this case, theology. ---
**Author:** ![badchad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b77776/32.png) [@badchad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badchad)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/93 "2004-03-31T04:38:49Z")
Zagadka Quote: Originally Posted by badchad Either god wants the world to be good and can’t make it so (i.e. gods not all powerful) or he can make it good but doesn’t want to (god’s not all good). > [@](#): > > Define “good.” No, seriously. Greater good? Individual good? Moral good? Legal good? Christian good? How about all good? For a working definition, all beings including animals being happy with no fear, anger, sadness, pain, jealously, etc., and certainly not killing and eating each other. > [@](#): > > … define “evil?” The opposite of the above. That’s my working definition. If you have a better one let me know and I’ll tell you if I’ll agree for the sake of argument. > [@](#): > > Once again, this is an important theological discussion. First you have to define, as I ask above, which benevolence he is working for. Everyone’s, assuming he is “all benevolent.” > [@](#): > > Benevolence for god may not be the same as benevolence for you. I dunno, I’m not god, and I don’t claim to understand him. I’m not sure about the wording of the quote but I think it’s: “Don’t go asking me to accept nonsense by telling me that you are fresh out of sense.” > [@](#): > > My god isn’t even a thinking entity, so I’m not used to coming up with motivations for the supernatural. I’m quite sure that Zev could answer the questions regarding the thought on god’s intentions. Sounds like you’re not the right person for this debate then. > [@](#): > > In any case, I never stated that god is always benevolent. Does this mean we are in agreement that should any god exist that given the current state of affairs he couldn’t be both all good and all powerful? > [@](#): > > On the other hand, is letting you walk across fiery coals for a really yummy cookie benevolent or not? Benevolent would be for you to throw it too me, unless you wish that I burn my feet. If you wish that I burn my feet I think I would define that as evil. > [@](#): > > If you want to discuss my beliefs, I’m (obviously) your guy. I don’t. > [@](#): > > I’m just filling in for the Christians, who seem to be doing more important things right now. Perhaps we should just wait for them. > [@](#): > > I always viewed it not as punishment, but the denial of eternal bliss - two different things. How about we let the Christians speak for themselves going forward. FYI, with regards to the biblical concept of hell, according to the KJV, Jesus used the words “everlasting punishment.” I don’t recall him using the words “denial of eternal bliss.” ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177/94 "2004-03-31T04:39:26Z")
[Moderator Hat ON] Epimetheus and Zagadka, you guys need to quit this RIGHT NOW. If someone receives threatening email from another poster, please forwards them on with all headers intact to the admins. [Moderator Hat OFF] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-respecting-others-religious-views/237177.md?page=4)