RE: Tooth Fairy Bullshit
January 19, 2017 at 3:24 pm
(This post was last modified: January 19, 2017 at 3:24 pm by Catholic_Lady.)
I don't think Neo is saying that criticizing someone's belief, in general, is disrespectful. I think he's referring specifically to equating their beliefs to belief in the tooth fairy.
On that, I do agree with him.
It IS disrespectful to equate someone's religious belief to belief in tooth fairies. Because in our society, it takes a really really loony, strange type of person to believe in the tooth fairy. If you equate someone's Christian beliefs to that, you're basically saying that person is pretty crazy, not to mention kind of an idiot.
For example, I can criticize a person's actions. I can say to someone who cheats: "cheating on your spouse is immoral," and I can explain why I think it's immoral and me and that person can have a discussion/debate about it. There's nothing wrong with making that criticism, and it's not disrespectful to the person to do that.
But if I say "cheating on your spouse equates to having sex with kids", yeah, that would be disrespectful to the person who cheats on their spouse. Because in our society, it takes a pretty messed up person to have sex with kids.
Likewise, it takes a pretty messed up person to think the tooth fairy is real.
It's one thing to criticize someone's belief/action. It's another to compare it to something that would apply only to a crazy person. The former is fine. The latter is definitely disrespectful and an insult to that person's character.
Does that make more sense?
On that, I do agree with him.
It IS disrespectful to equate someone's religious belief to belief in tooth fairies. Because in our society, it takes a really really loony, strange type of person to believe in the tooth fairy. If you equate someone's Christian beliefs to that, you're basically saying that person is pretty crazy, not to mention kind of an idiot.
For example, I can criticize a person's actions. I can say to someone who cheats: "cheating on your spouse is immoral," and I can explain why I think it's immoral and me and that person can have a discussion/debate about it. There's nothing wrong with making that criticism, and it's not disrespectful to the person to do that.
But if I say "cheating on your spouse equates to having sex with kids", yeah, that would be disrespectful to the person who cheats on their spouse. Because in our society, it takes a pretty messed up person to have sex with kids.
Likewise, it takes a pretty messed up person to think the tooth fairy is real.
It's one thing to criticize someone's belief/action. It's another to compare it to something that would apply only to a crazy person. The former is fine. The latter is definitely disrespectful and an insult to that person's character.
Does that make more sense?
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh
