Do we have to respect regilions of others ? and what are the limits between discussion and mockery?

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by cncracer

I find I have little tolerance to what I perceive as ignorance and fear of myths. I see religion as a con game used to control humanity, which has resulted in untold atrocities. I don’t respect these religions, and view the leaders as little more then criminals or con men, and if anything I feel sorry for any human who fall for the tales they get feed. If I say somethin harsh I don't see it as mockery. Truth never has to be "nice" it just has to be true, and if those who follow as sheep find it harsh than they also see the truth in the statement. It shows their brain may still be working.

Come on, racer, tell us how you really feel. Don't hold back.

Praying for your deliverance from the demon of hatred, poor perception and poor grammar.

LOL

[OneJackson]

Don't respect me as a Christian, I LOVE living as Jesus lived. underdog style.

[jayway]

Is it disrespectful or mocking to discuss under what conditions religious devotion is/will be considered a mental illness?

[ChristyGrl]

Originally Posted by Mona Mee

I think that religions( Judaism, Christianity, Islam ,.... ) as personel beliefs should be respected . It is good to discuss and express our points of view, but we should do it without hurting the others feelings.

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

I feel no obligation to respect or pay any attention at all to the religious beliefs of others unless they impact my life in some way.
Then I have the right to resist and protect myself by any means necessary.
This holds true regardless who they are, who their gods are, or what their beliefs are.

The bottom line for me is: "Believe anything you want, but leave me out of it."

It's a wonderful sentiment Mona, but then most of us live in the REAL world where religious folks love to foist their views and beliefs on the rest of the world. Respect is a two way street. I personally don't care what anyone believes in as long as they keep it to themselves. When they attempt to insert their religious views into the laws of the land and expect others, who don't believe as they do, to just suck it up without protest...respect goes out the window.

[ChristyGrl]

Originally Posted by Towhee

This isn't the Christianity forum, but I would like to ask...did Jesus and the Apostles 'respect' the ungodly religions of their day ?

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

Absolutely they did.

They didn't condone them but they did respect them.

I think it's in Acts (16, 17, or 18) where Paul used the pagan gods and idols as a springboard for the gospel message. But he didn't mock or ridicule the folks in the process.

I can't remember the exact location, Marian but it's where he talks about them having an inscription 'to an unknown god', do you remember the story I'm thinking of?

Seriously???? That is soooooooooo not true...they were condemned and called vile names at every turn!

[mordant]

Originally Posted by jayway

Is it disrespectful or mocking to discuss under what conditions religious devotion is/will be considered a mental illness?

I don't think so. Not inherently. It is only a question of degree. Most theists would be unconcerned with criticism of someone who worships something bizarre and specific to that individual, such as imagined little green men or the person's own mother or something.

It's only when more widely accepted and held ideations come into question that theists become uncomfortable. When the beliefs become typical or common, they aren't necessarily also either more justifiable or less fanciful.

It is also partly a matter of how one goes about it. If one has a gloating, mocking avidity in their observations, then they are not making simple observations, however true they may happen to be. But if one is simply observing that the emperor has no clothes, the fact that people get offended at having such beliefs challenged, is their issue, not a problem with the one making the observation.