Are there religious figures you respect?

[Shinagami]

Either clergy or just a person who is openly religious. I can think of a few but I'll let others post their favorites first.

[TheRealJoeFish]

Yeah. I respect a lot of religious figures. Mother Teresa, the most recent incarnation of the Dalai Lama... not so many American public figures, but my parents' priest is a good guy.

I don't not respect them because they do good in the name of religion. That being said, it makes me sad to look at people like this and think how much better it would be if they did these things not because of religion but because of humanity, how much better it would be if this was a world where you could touch so many peoples' lives, inspire so many people to charity and love, become famous as a paragon of virtue without having to do it in the name of a god.

[Shinagami]

I respect Mabel Pines. I think she's God.

But seriously, I like the Lama too. A friend of my dad's became a Buddhist saying it was the only religion that never started a holy war, which may or may not be true, but it seems the least violent of the major five by a wide margin. Also there's go God in Buddhism.

[Foxaèr]

There are no religious figures I respect, for I do not respect religion.

[Longhorn]

Of course!! The high priest of bacon deserves to be revered

[Salacious B. Crumb]

Anyone that is the polar opposite of David Miscavige.

[robvalue]

I have respect for any theist who supports religious belief (or lack of) being an entirely personal matter, and who is against indoctrination.

I can't think of any specific famous figures, but anyone who meets the above would do.

[vorlon13]

A former boyfriend of mine joined a religious order and spent the rest of his life helping people who were terminally ill. I considered it a good 'fit' for him when I learned of what he actually did. His 'function' would have been more in a practical vein, helping with Dr. appointments, running errands, doing housekeeping and laundry, filling pill caddies, etc. I don't picture him as proselytizing the infirm (or their families), he never tried anything along those lines with me when we were dating, despite our obvious different takes on faith even back then.

When I first heard about his career change, I pictured him chanting in a remote monastery and choking on incense. I was confused and puzzled till I found out what he really did. I might even have been a 'vessel' for him to perceive as what is referred to as a 'calling' to go do what he did. I'm not really annoyed with that aspect of it.

I can also imagine he might have dedicated his efforts to the sick in some part due to knowing Brian.

[robvalue]

Yeah, if people are doing what I consider to be good things, I don't directly care about exactly why they are doing them.

My concern however is that if there are bad reasons behind it (such as blindly following orders, or simply scoring brownie points) then it's more likely the person may flip in the future, for other bad reasons, or if the orders/incentives change.

[Athene]

I can't think of any public ones that I respect, but I'm certain there are religious figures that perform sincere acts of selflessness, courage, or kindness that I think would make them deserving of respect as a person.