Respect! (Buddha, atheist, Muslim, gospel)

[pladecalvo]

I have debated religion on many forums and, without fail, it isn't long before a theist comes on and starts to berate atheist for not being respectful to their beliefs. One even took me to task for being not being respectful by answering a post on Good Friday, which she considered a 'holy day'.

I would like to ask theists just why they consider their beliefs to warrent respect. I of course, accept that everyone has a right to a belief but I don't accept that what they believe should command respect.

What respect do you show to other religions? When you say 'my god is the only true god', are you not being disrespectful to the beliefs of theists who worship other godsl? You can only be respectful to these other religions by accepting that their gods are just as likely as yours.

When you insist that your god is the only god to a Hindu, it's no different from when an atheist tells you that they consider your beliefs to be nonsense. Yet many theist would consider the atheist disrespectful.

If you do consider that your beliefs should be respected, would you offer the same respect to someone who believed that, say, a certain race of people were sub-human?

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by pladecalvo

I have debated religion on many forums and, without fail, it isn't long before a theist comes on and starts to berate atheist for not being respectful to their beliefs. One even took me to task for being not being respectful by answering a post on Good Friday, which she considered a 'holy day'.

I would like to ask theists just why they consider their beliefs to warrent respect. I of course, accept that everyone has a right to a belief but I don't accept that what they believe should command respect.

What respect do you show to other religions? When you say 'my god is the only true god', are you not being disrespectful to the beliefs of theists who worship other godsl? You can only be respectful to these other religions by accepting that their gods are just as likely as yours.

When you insist that your god is the only god to a Hindu, it's no different from when an atheist tells you that they consider your beliefs to be nonsense. Yet many theist would consider the atheist disrespectful.

If you do consider that your beliefs should be respected, would you offer the same respect to someone who believed that, say, a certain race of people were sub-human?

Thank you plad

I have stated before there is only one God of Heaven and earth and most denomination would agree with me on that statement

And all would agree that we ALL decended from Adam and Eve correct?

Therefore why do I have such a hard time explaining to people the no matter what we call our Father he is the same God to all that exist here whether his name is Buddah or Elohim or Allah or God he is the same God

SOOOO with that being said
How can there be 1 father of heaven and earth who created Adam and Eve who are the first people on earth and we all descended from them and we not all be brothers and sister

Just because we believe different stories about our father doesnt mean he isnt the same

[pladecalvo]

Thanks for your post ......but what does it have to do with respect?

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by pladecalvo

Thanks for your post ......but what does it have to do with respect?

If more would respect others as they would their family I guess we would not even need this post to ask

[spunky1]

Respecting the person is what is important, regardless of their religious afiliation (or lack thereof).
One might not respect someones religion personally, but that is their perogative. But if they respect the individual and treat them with respect that is all that can be asked.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by dncngrl1964

Thank you plad

I have stated before there is only one God of Heaven and earth and most denomination would agree with me on that statement

And all would agree that we ALL decended from Adam and Eve correct?

Therefore why do I have such a hard time explaining to people the no matter what we call our Father he is the same God to all that exist here whether his name is Buddah or Elohim or Allah or God he is the same God

SOOOO with that being said
How can there be 1 father of heaven and earth who created Adam and Eve who are the first people on earth and we all descended from them and we not all be brothers and sister

Just because we believe different stories about our father doesnt mean he isnt the same

This is just perfect!

I have always respected the beliefs of others and taught my children to do the same.

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by irishmom

This is just perfect!

I have always respected the beliefs of others and taught my children to do the same.

thanks Irish

If everyone one remembered the sermon on the mount we would not need to argue in these posts

Turn the other cheek is a famous phrase taken from the Sermon on the Mount in the Christian New Testament. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)
A parallel version is offered in the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke:

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:27-31. NIV)

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by spunky1

Respecting the person is what is important, regardless of their religious afiliation (or lack thereof).
One might not respect someones religion personally, but that is their perogative. But if they respect the individual and treat them with respect that is all that can be asked.

But, the problem is, that most Christian folks believe that the God of the Bible is the only true God. Therefore, when you tell a Hindu, or a Muslim, or whoever, that only your God is real and true, they will take it to mean that you are being disrespectful of their beliefs, which can translate into having no respect for them, as a person, at least in their eyes. It won't matter to them that you say you respect them as a person. Their religious beliefs are part of who they are, as a person. It's kind of a whole package deal. If they told you that they respected you as a person, but not your religious beliefs, chances are you would take that personally, also. Which is exactly why people fight over religion, because belief, (or, the lack thereof), is a very personal thing, to each of us.

[pladecalvo]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

But, the problem is, that most Christian folks believe that the God of the Bible is the only true God. Therefore, when you tell a Hindu, or a Muslim, or whoever, that only your God is real and true, they will take it to mean that you are being disrespectful of their beliefs, which can translate into having no respect for them, as a person, at least in their eyes. It won't matter to them that you say you respect them as a person. Their religious beliefs are part of who they are, as a person. It's kind of a whole package deal. If they told you that they respected you as a person, but not your religious beliefs, chances are you would take that personally, also. Which is exactly why people fight over religion, because belief, (or, the lack thereof), is a very personal thing, to each of us.

Well said! That's the point I'm making.

[pladecalvo]

Originally Posted by dncngrl1964

thanks Irish

If everyone one remembered the sermon on the mount we would not need to argue in these posts

Turn the other cheek is a famous phrase taken from the Sermon on the Mount in the Christian New Testament. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)
A parallel version is offered in the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke:

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:27-31. NIV)

Why attribute that to JC? The Buddha said the same thing 500 years before him! Christianity just copied it as it copied from Mithraism and other ancient religions.

The Buddha: "If anyone should give you a blow with his hand, with a stick, or with a knife, you should abandon any desires and utter no evil words." (Majjhima Nikaya 21.6)