Shouldn't Atheists learn to accept religion?

[Losty]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BQPV-iCkU

[Joods]

---

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?

I only partially agree with you. There is a difference between tolerance and respect. I tolerate religion for the sake of people in my life who believe in it. But I don't have to respect it.

When people push their faith on me and tell me that I'm wrong for not believing in their god, I tell them where to go and how they can get there. I don't push my atheism on anyone so why should they have the right to do it to me? Respect is earned - not given. And until a god - any god, comes and accepts my offer to let me pay for their lunch while we sit down and they answer some hard questions from me - I cannot and will not respect religion. And I shouldn't have to.
Even if it were to happen, I still wouldn't respect religion. Religion breeds fear. For example, just look at what the Abrahamic god requires. Look at what he's done. No, sorry - that gets no respect from me whatsoever.

[Edwardo Piet]

@ Losty

Love that movie.

[Gemini]

...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...

Maybe it can be emotionally potent, and transport you back to the mental state of a child who can take comfort in the fact that she knows her parents are there to take care of her, but I don't think there's any evidence that this is psychologically healthy, or that people need to believe in supernatural mommies and daddies in order to feel "whole."

[Losty]

I actually think it's insulting to assume that's why most theists believe. I know a lot of very intelligent independent theists.

[Gawdzilla]

You may have missed my edit.

Thanks for pointing it out. As for myself, after trying out a presumption of disrespect, I conclude that a presumption of respect works better for me.

I can respect that.

[ignoramus]

Guys, you know how most respect the person but not the beliefs.

As mentioned elsewhere, some theists have trouble differentiating between the two.
This is why they take it as a personal insult.
Is this an indoctrinated failing on their behalf?

We know for a fact that indoctrination has the potential to cause people to disown their own children, let them die as a result of not obtaining medical help, etc.

All this stems from the "one true god, no other gods" belief.
If you are genuinely religious, you shouldn't be tolerant of people who think differently.
Otherwise, you're not a true Christian or Muslim.

This is the divisive crux which ensures religion's survival.
Theists, this is why we hate religions.
Religions are devised so as to not tolerate or respect other religions or beliefs.

[Losty]

It's not an indoctrinated failing, it's a human reaction.

If someone says they hate what you think and they find it horrible and objectionable and stupid, you're likely to feel like they think that about you too.

[Mermaid]

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?

I agree with pretty much all of this. I am not a fan of the idea that the religion of other people has a profound effect on my life, though. I resent the shit out of that.

[energizer bunny]

 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?

I don't think all beliefs "should be" respected. That choice should always be optional. And its not a persons beliefs i respect but rather the individual. I personally don't have a problem with what people believe so as long as they don't use it as an excuse to cause harm or impose on others. Though i'm likely to put the blame on the person not their beliefs. Their beliefs are only an excuse to me. I'm the only openly non believer in my family and i can respect and get along with just about every family member despite our differences in beliefs. Though they're are a few who like to impose and those are the ones i avoid interacting with.