Shouldn't Atheists learn to accept religion?

[Veritas_Vincit]

I'm not trying to upset anyone here. This is my personal opinion and I just want to know if anyone agrees with me. I see so much hate flying around on the internet from both atheists and religious people and I really don't think any of it is nessesary.

I don't know what atheism is to you, but for me it's just a simple view: I don't believe in God. I get very annoyed when religious people try to convert me back to faith (I have one very devout family member who really irritates me) and I think that needs to stop. There's nothing wrong with not believing.

But I also don't have a problem with faith.

It really surprised me to see that atheists on the internet seem to have very little respect for religion. I understand that perspective- there really is no sense of logic to it, it's seems silly, and it can be dangerous. But I also think that in moderate amounts it can be a very good thing. Some people (most people) are comforted by faith in a god, and I really think it's something many people need in their lives to feel whole. I think that's probably why they so often don't understand how atheists can go without a God. Religion isn't required by all people to feel happy, but for some people it definitely is. I don't feel that this is a failure on the part of those people, but apparently many other athiests do.

I think religious faith can contribute a lot to a persons life. Not every persons life -I certainly dont' want it- but why else would it have persisted so long if it didn't mean something? Tolerance of differing beliefs isn't just for athiests. I think it's important that we remember that all beliefs should be respected, even if they seem ludicrous to us.

So what do you guys think?

Hi BlueGirl,

You talk about faith and respect (lack thereof) for religion. Would you respect someone who told you they believe that the earth is flat? What about if they went on to tell you that they believed this on faith, in spite of evidence to the contrary?

The problem is that people have trouble separating religion and beliefs from the people who hold them. If I criticise and idea, that does not mean I am criticising people who hold it, even though I may be pointing out that they are mistaken about what they believe. Religious people are so identified with their beliefs that they feel personally attacked when they are questioned. 

Personally, having studied religion I have no respect for it anymore. I respect people, I respect when someone is coming from a good place, but people who have not thought through the consequences of their beliefs don't get off scott free. 

The fact of the matter is that religion has caused incalculable harm to humanity throughout human history even to this day, from the crusades to the dark ages, the Spanish Inquesition to pedaphile priests, Islamic fundamentalism and global jihadist terrorism, to creationist pseudoscience taught in schools. Religion is a hallmark of the fact that as a species we are still well within the primitive dark ages of civilisation and have barely started the first chapter of our aspiration to evolve into intelligent life. At every step, religion has stood in the way of progress and invention and freedom and liberty and scientific exploration, and the sooner our society rids itself of this 'mind-forged manacle' the better.

Hence the lack of respect.