Well, if the religionist brings up religion (and many of them do with great frequency), you will just be discussing a subject they chose to bring up. How is that rude? If they don't want to talk about religion, they should not bring it up. And obviously they have no right to expect you to agree with whatever their opinion is on the subject.
It would be different if you start the subject.
As for your principle that it is disrespectful to try to change someone's mind, if you follow that idea, you will never want to say much of anything to anyone about anything. Otherwise, you might change their mind about something. You also won't want to listen to what others say, or they might change your mind about something.
What's wrong with changing people's minds? I only see it as a problem if one uses improper methods or if someone's mind changes from being correct to being in error.
It would be different if you start the subject.
As for your principle that it is disrespectful to try to change someone's mind, if you follow that idea, you will never want to say much of anything to anyone about anything. Otherwise, you might change their mind about something. You also won't want to listen to what others say, or they might change your mind about something.
What's wrong with changing people's minds? I only see it as a problem if one uses improper methods or if someone's mind changes from being correct to being in error.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
