(August 28, 2014 at 9:07 pm)Polaris Wrote: I probably already posted this thread already (judging by the fact my computer remembered the title), but we need to be more tolerant to all religions, so whatever.
How far are you willing to go to be legitimately be tolerant of the beliefs of other people (instead of trying to make a show of it as I suspect many of you do here)? Would you accommodate their needs, respect their beliefs, join in their ceremonies?
I remember in the earlier days of Facebook, I created a page advocating for religious tolerance, but when someone mentioned it should be instead religious acceptance, I could not answer. I am willing to accommodate the needs of Moslems (provide tax funding so their children can religiously bath for their prayers in public schools so much better than the taxes I pay for American football), but I am unwilling to accept their religious beliefs. I also cannot stand the tenets of Buddhism...it seems like a sentence of Hell to live through their cycle of rebirth.
If religion means so much to someone, who are we to look down on their beliefs if it does not harm others, which let's be perfectly honest, does not for more than 99% of believers?
You are conflating the issues and missing the point.
Whatever system of belief people buy into they will still behave like humans always do, badly. Every time I see an argument about how badly Christians behave, or how badly Muslims behave or how badly atheist behave etc. I can't help but feel a little exasperated. Humans will always find some excuse to behave badly to each other, being tolerant of the excuses used to justify this behaviour is not the answer, it never was and it never will be.
If anyone gives you cause to consider their behaviour, it's not their religion you should be questioning.
MM
"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions" - Leonardo da Vinci
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
