is it your opinion the earth is flat or the sky is pink polka dots?
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 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.
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?
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
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.)
I referred to this issue here:
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.
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?
If discussing the vaccination with the giant in the sky is done respectfully, then asking questions and not agreeing are fine.
I’d most likely state my opinion if I was present at a discussion of the subject.
Even here, as an atheist, you are advocating a “go along to get along” philosophy for the side that is in the minority.
And what if a majority of society also believes the magic giant in sky believes vaccinations cause autism? or gay marriage is wrong? etc
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.
A majority already believe that gay marriage is wrong.
Is it o.k. if I show respect until such time it is obvious that such respect will not be returned?
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.
Nope:
We live in a Christian based society, they are already imposing their nonsense on me
Presence, words, and deeds, dude. These discussions wouldn’t come up if they were only “present”.