# Why do we have to put up with Religious People? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 7, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474 "2020-08-07T06:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ebca7d/32.png) [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Cheeseburger)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/41 "2020-08-07T07:26:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > other people’s religious opinions. is it your opinion the earth is flat or the sky is pink polka dots? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/42 "2020-08-07T07:28:04Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > In my opinion, you don’t. As I’ve said, I feel no need to advocate atheism to other people. You’re the one who raised that issue If the discussion is about religious beliefs and you are the lone atheist in the group, is openly talking about what you don’t believe “advocating” atheism, or is it just participating on an equal footing with the others in the group? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/43 "2020-08-07T07:30:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Unless of course your boss invites you over to be among others of his sect and the discussion is about their beliefs. Wouldn’t want to rock that boat, right? If I’m going to a meal that my boss is offering to me, I expect he’ll decide on the menu. If he doesn’t serve pork because he feels it offends his god, I’d feel about it the same way I’d feel if he only serves vegetarian meals because he believes in animal rights. If, on the other hand, my boss is trying to tell me what meal I can order in a restaurant or eat in my home, I would feel he’s interfering with my personal choices and I don’t feel he has the right to do that. ---
**Author:** ![LilXMo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lilxmo/32/4225_2.png) [@LilXMo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilXMo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/44 "2020-08-07T07:30:45Z")
I have many coworkers who are devout Christians. Sometimes we discuss religion, not debating but talking honestly and openly. I’m not Christian but I have a belief that works for me. I don’t defend that belief. Maybe the issue is why do religious folks guide policy and law based on their religious beliefs? ---
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ebca7d/32.png) [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Cheeseburger)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/45 "2020-08-07T07:32:28Z")
So if somebody told you the magic giant in the sky told him vaccinations cause autism, you’d just say ok i respect your decision? not say, perhaps you are wrong ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/46 "2020-08-07T07:32:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If the discussion is about religious beliefs and you are the lone atheist in the group, is openly talking about what you don’t believe “advocating” atheism, or is it just participating on an equal footing with the others in the group? If people want to discuss religion and atheism, I’m happy to participate in the discussion - just as I am doing here. (Although I will point out it’s 3:30 in the morning here so I’ll probably be dropping out of this discussion soon.) ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/47 "2020-08-07T07:34:02Z")
> [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](#): > > So if your boss wanted you to not eat pork because the tooth fairy said so you’d be ok with that? I referred to this issue here: > [@PlaceboTarget](#): > > People trying to impose their views on others, now that’s the real problem. There is a category of individuals who will do everything they can to turn you into an adherent, and these guys may proselytize in the name of various causes, from marriage issues, to politics and religion. I stay away from all of these people. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/48 "2020-08-07T07:34:14Z")
> [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](#): > > So if somebody told you the magic giant in the sky told him vaccinations cause autism, you’d just say ok i respect your decision? not say, perhaps you are wrong He can believe whatever he wants. But when he starts practicing things based on his belief, it may effect other people and that means society may overrule his practices. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/49 "2020-08-07T07:34:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If I’m going to a meal that my boss is offering to me, I expect he’ll decide on the menu. You skimmed over the part where the boss and his friends have a discussion about the evils of pork and they say things you think are just wrong-do you just “bow your head” and pretend to agree, or do you give your opinion even if you are the only one there with that opinion? ---
**Author:** ![LilXMo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lilxmo/32/4225_2.png) [@LilXMo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilXMo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/50 "2020-08-07T07:36:38Z")
If discussing the vaccination with the giant in the sky is done respectfully, then asking questions and not agreeing are fine. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/51 "2020-08-07T07:36:52Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You skimmed over the part where the boss and his friends have a discussion about the evils of pork and they say things you think are just wrong-do you just “bow your head” and pretend to agree, or do you give your opinion even if you are the only one there with that opinion? I’d most likely state my opinion if I was present at a discussion of the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/52 "2020-08-07T07:37:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If people want to discuss religion and atheism, I’m happy to participate in the discussion - just as I am doing here. Even here, as an atheist, you are advocating a “go along to get along” philosophy for the side that is in the minority. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ebca7d/32.png) [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Cheeseburger)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/53 "2020-08-07T07:37:15Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > He can believe whatever he wants. But when he starts practicing things based on his belief, it may effect other people and that means society may overrule his practices. And what if a majority of society also believes the magic giant in sky believes vaccinations cause autism? or gay marriage is wrong? etc ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/54 "2020-08-07T07:38:20Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Even here, as an atheist, you are advocating a “go along to get along” philosophy for the side that is in the minority. Not at all. I’m saying we should all be respectful towards other people. It has nothing to do with who is in the majority or a position of power. ---
**Author:** ![LilXMo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lilxmo/32/4225_2.png) [@LilXMo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilXMo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/55 "2020-08-07T07:39:39Z")
A majority already believe that gay marriage is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/56 "2020-08-07T07:40:07Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m saying we should all be respectful towards other people. It has nothing to do with who is in the majority or a position of power Is it o.k. if I show respect until such time it is obvious that such respect will not be returned? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/57 "2020-08-07T07:40:53Z")
> [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](#): > > And what if a majority of society also believes the magic giant in sky believes vaccinations cause autism? or gay marriage is wrong? etc The same thing. People shouldn’t be able to impose their religious practices upon other people. Religious people should have to put up with the presence of atheists. And atheists should have to put up with the presence of religious people. Which takes us back to where the conversation started and that’s probably a good point for me to call it a night. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/58 "2020-08-07T07:41:41Z")
> [@LilXMo](#): > > A majority already believe that gay marriage is wrong Nope: > **[U.S. Support for Same-Sex Marriage Matches Record High](https://news.gallup.com/poll/311672/support-sex-marriage-matches-record-high.aspx)** > > Two in three Americans (67%) say marriages between same-sex couples should be legally recognized, matching the previous high Gallup measured in 2018. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ebca7d/32.png) [@Bacon\_Cheeseburger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Cheeseburger)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/59 "2020-08-07T07:43:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The same thing. People shouldn’t be able to impose their religious practices upon other people. We live in a Christian based society, they are already imposing their nonsense on me ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474/60 "2020-08-07T07:43:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Religious people should have to put up with the presence of atheists. And atheists should have to put up with the presence of religious people. Presence, words, and deeds, dude. These discussions wouldn’t come up if they were only “present”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-to-put-up-with-religious-people/917474.md?page=4)