Respect for Religious Beliefs?

[linwood]

That is one of the most presumptuous statements I have read in a day or two. Perhaps one should point out to the writer that there is actually much to doubt and the matter is hardly set in stone.

It might be interesting to hear exactly what groups he is referring to as being the outcome of human perversity. Heaven forbid anything be the outcome of "god's perversity".


Sadly Bruce, faith is the fodder of the blind, as those who can see have no need to pretend.

Very well said.

 

[.lava]

Do you respect all religions and religious beliefs equally?

For those that answered no, what criteria do you make in distinguishing what beliefs you respect and what beliefs you do not?

IMO people has right for living equally but for respect, i rather look at results of one's action. if it serves humanity in a positive way then i would respect, if it serves more then i would respect more. why should i respect two people equally if actions of one of them was serving humanity in a better way anyway?






.

 

[McBell]

But not respecting any religions at all is still respecting them equally. :yes:

please see the very first line of the post you quoted.

Hint: It is my answer to the very first question of op....

 

[jabberwockybruno]

And no one is doubting that the bible is the same now as it was written, however, this is hardly evidence of anything but good scholarly reproduction of the writings.

-Q

Many religions are founded on the premise that the Bible has changed dramatically from when it was first written, and so the founders of those religions introduce new texts and say "This is how it was supposed to be".

There are many criticisms that can be made against the Bible, and this particular one is what I have chosen to devote most of my time to. I spend most of my time talking with religious people who aren't Christian, who obviously have different objections to the Bibles than non-religious people or atheists.

Apparently though we are already in agreement about the Bible's historical preservation.

 

[jabberwockybruno]

Of course it references real places. No one is doubting that the bible was written by humans who knew of those places. Hardly evidence of divine inspiration.

And no one is doubting that the bible is the same now as it was written, however, this is hardly evidence of anything but good scholarly reproduction of the writings.

Got anything better?

-Q

I was trying to figure out how strong MONSTER's objection was.

Pretty much everybody I associate with believe the Bible is at least divinely inspired in some places, and the places that are not is because it has been corrupted in translation or transcription.

I'm not used to people saying they think everything in the Bible is made up like a fairy tale.

 

[linwood]

I'm not used to people saying they think everything in the Bible is made up like a fairy tale.

You need to get out more often.

I share your opinion that most followers take the Bible literally but I`m constantly told on this forum that most Christians don`t anymore.

I`ve yet to see it in reality though.

 

[Smoke]

Do you respect all religions and religious beliefs equally?

Absolutely not.

For those that answered no, what criteria do you make in distinguishing what beliefs you respect and what beliefs you do not?

Some of the things that might affect how I look at a given religion or its beliefs are tolerance, inclusion, the extent to which the hierarchy controls the lives of the adherents, scholarship, aesthetics of worship and belief system, insistence on dogmatic conformity, and the way adherents behave in the general community.

As with individuals, I don't really have a checklist, and in most cases I find I can respect a religion in some respect but not in all respects. I consider some (but very few) religions to be more or less beneficial to their adherents and to others, and quite a few to be harmful.

Generally speaking, I find the Abrahamic religions and Zoroastrianism the least appealing of religions. Since they're so diverse, it's hard to make blanket statements about the Abrahamic religions, but generally speaking I find Judaism and Eastern Christianity more appealing than Western Christianity, and Western Christianity more appealing than Islam.

I find it most impossible to respect religious beliefs that make no sense even in their own context. For instance, if you claim that your beliefs are based on the Bible but your central message is that one must accept Jesus as one's personal savior -- a concept found nowhere in the Bible -- I can only conclude that you have given your beliefs little to no serious thought. You may be an kind and intelligent person and a joy to all who know you, and I may respect you as a person in other respects, but your religion is one fit for a fool.

I also find it impossible to respect even the concept that I ought to respect all religions, much less respect them all equally. It's absurd on the face of it.

And "belief" is pretty much the aspect of any religion that I respect least of all.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Many religions are founded on the premise that the Bible has changed dramatically from when it was first written, and so the founders of those religions introduce new texts and say "This is how it was supposed to be".

So they are wrong, it just goes to show how ignorant and blind some people can be.

There are many criticisms that can be made against the Bible, and this particular one is what I have chosen to devote most of my time to. I spend most of my time talking with religious people who aren't Christian, who obviously have different objections to the Bibles than non-religious people or atheists.

I have no objections to the bible, it's chock full of great stories, beautiful poetry and some pseudo pornography (song of solomon). It sends a beautiful message of peace and love. Ok so it's a little sexist but that was the view on women at the time.

Apparently though we are already in agreement about the Bible's historical preservation.

Yes we are, just not it's source.

-Q

 

[The Neo Nerd]

I'm not used to people saying they think everything in the Bible is made up like a fairy tale.

I apologise if i have offended you.

I was just responding to the two points which you used to illustrate the divine source of the bible.

There are secular writings of the same time period that talk of places that actually existed. This fact would negate your theory that the the presence of real place names in the bible indicates divine inspiration.

I'm not arguing your beliefs, just your assertions.

And i once again apologise for any offense i have caused.

-Q

 

[jabberwockybruno]

I apologise if i have offended you.

I was just responding to the two points which you used to illustrate the divine source of the bible.

There are secular writings of the same time period that talk of places that actually existed. This fact would negate your theory that the the presence of real place names in the bible indicates divine inspiration.

I'm not arguing your beliefs, just your assertions.

And i once again apologise for any offense i have caused.

-Q

Oh, please! This is in the debate section so stop worrying about bruised feelings and start debating!

I wasn't trying to use those examples to try to argue divine inspiration. I was trying to figure out how strong the objections to the Bible were.

I think I understand now. While the locations are true and historic, it doesn't mean anything either way about the people or events.

 

[Jeremiah]

Do you respect all religions and religious beliefs equally?

For those that answered no, what criteria do you make in distinguishing what beliefs you respect and what beliefs you do not?

I see no reason to place special emphasis on a belief (or belief system) simply because it is "religious". The idea that something is more deserving simply because it is "religious" is a fallacy, at any rate.

So, I guess the answers is, yes, I treat them equally (to the best of my ability), because I judge them on the same standards that I judge everything else on.

 

[BruceDLimber]

You are most welcome to your opinions, Ymir!

And we Baha'is do very well, thankyouverymuch, by accepting virually all other religions as legitmate and God-sent!

I'm afraid you don't know what you're missing!

Peace,

Bruce

 

[jabberwockybruno]

You are most welcome to your opinions, Ymir!

And we Baha'is do very well, thankyouverymuch, by accepting virually all other religions as legitmate and God-sent!

I'm afraid you don't know what you're missing!

Peace,

Bruce

Who is Ymir? I don't see that name making posts in this discussion.

How could Baha'is accept virtually all other religions as legitimate and God-sent when just about every religion is contradictory with everything else?
Jehova's Witnesses say Jesus is a created being like the Archangel Michael; Christians say Jesus is God the one and only, always has been and always will be;
Muslims say Jesus was a prophet, just a man like Moses or Muhammed; Mormons say Jesus used to be a man but became a God;
Jews don't believe he was the messiah;
Hindus and Buddhists mainly believe he was a good man, but a mere man nontheless.

There is absolutely no way that one person can simultaneously be a man, God from a man, God eternally, and a created being like an angel.

It's like me saying I'm a human, animal, a rock, and a loaf of bread all at the same time.

 

[Morse]

Who is Ymir? I don't see that name making posts in this discussion.

How could Baha'is accept virtually all other religions as legitimate and God-sent when just about every religion is contradictory with everything else?
Jehova's Witnesses say Jesus is a created being like the Archangel Michael; Christians say Jesus is God the one and only, always has been and always will be;
Muslims say Jesus was a prophet, just a man like Moses or Muhammed; Mormons say Jesus used to be a man but became a God;
Jews don't believe he was the messiah;
Hindus and Buddhists mainly believe he was a good man, but a mere man nontheless.

There is absolutely no way that one person can simultaneously be a man, God from a man, God eternally, and a created being like an angel.

It's like me saying I'm a human, animal, a rock, and a loaf of bread all at the same time.

Technically, animals = humans. And furthermore, if you break down the composition of a human, animal, rock, and loaf of bread, they are all the same.

And furthermore, I'm pretty sure Judaists say that there are multiple ways to reach salvation. Would this be along the lines of what the Baha'is say?

 

[Zorro1227]

Do you respect all religions and religious beliefs equally?

For those that answered no, what criteria do you make in distinguishing what beliefs you respect and what beliefs you do not?

I respect all religions and religious beliefs; however, I do not respect ALL religious people. I have the utmost respect for a "believer" who does not judge anyone and does not shove his opinions down other people's throats. It is just the ones who are close minded and bigoted that I have absolutely no respect for.

 

[jabberwockybruno]

Technically, animals = humans. And furthermore, if you break down the composition of a human, animal, rock, and loaf of bread, they are all the same.

And furthermore, I'm pretty sure Judaists say that there are multiple ways to reach salvation. Would this be along the lines of what the Baha'is say?

Since there has not been any additions in a while, let's see what interest there is in keeping this discussion moving.

Christian doctrine is quite clear and unapologetically direct: Heaven is real and so is Hell, and there is ONLY ONE WAY for a person to get into heaven. Jesus Christ is the only person who can offer salvation and through him is the ONLY way to get it. To clear up ambiguity even more about Christian doctrine: Jesus is exactly as he is described in the Bible, i.e. God incarnate, and the only way a person can get into heaven is not by any works, but only by accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus has offered to all.

This implies that EVERY religion that is not Christian is wrong. So we have:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Taoism
Islam
Wicca
Universalism/Unitarianism
Mormonism
Jehova's Witnesses
Judaism
etc. etc.
ALL WRONG RELIGIONS AND ALL SEND PEOPLE TO HELL (you could object to part of this statement if you are familiar with the concept of predestination, but please no red herrings)

So to conclude, how could I respect a religion when its doctrine sends people to hell?

 

[darkendless]

Who is Ymir? I don't see that name making posts in this discussion.

How could Baha'is accept virtually all other religions as legitimate and God-sent when just about every religion is contradictory with everything else?
Jehova's Witnesses say Jesus is a created being like the Archangel Michael; Christians say Jesus is God the one and only, always has been and always will be;
Muslims say Jesus was a prophet, just a man like Moses or Muhammed; Mormons say Jesus used to be a man but became a God;
Jews don't believe he was the messiah;
Hindus and Buddhists mainly believe he was a good man, but a mere man nontheless.

There is absolutely no way that one person can simultaneously be a man, God from a man, God eternally, and a created being like an angel.

It's like me saying I'm a human, animal, a rock, and a loaf of bread all at the same time.

Why not? You're a christian, you people are pretty good at making God be whatever you want to be and strangely always have a moral compass similar to each of the 1 or 2 billion of you.

Bahi's can do whatever they want to. Their interference in western society is so minimal i never knew they existed until i joined RF. If only some other religions left us heathens alone

 

[Riverwolf]

Since there has not been any additions in a while, let's see what interest there is in keeping this discussion moving.

Christian doctrine is quite clear and unapologetically direct: Heaven is real and so is Hell, and there is ONLY ONE WAY for a person to get into heaven. Jesus Christ is the only person who can offer salvation and through him is the ONLY way to get it. To clear up ambiguity even more about Christian doctrine: Jesus is exactly as he is described in the Bible, i.e. God incarnate, and the only way a person can get into heaven is not by any works, but only by accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus has offered to all.

This implies that EVERY religion that is not Christian is wrong. So we have:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Taoism
Islam
Wicca
Universalism/Unitarianism
Mormonism
Jehova's Witnesses
Judaism
etc. etc.
ALL WRONG RELIGIONS AND ALL SEND PEOPLE TO HELL (you could object to part of this statement if you are familiar with the concept of predestination, but please no red herrings)

So to conclude, how could I respect a religion when its doctrine sends people to hell?

Because others can respect Christiainity, even though they believe it is also the wrong one.

Besides, many of the "religions" you've posted don't even have doctrines, such as Daoism and Buddhism. Heck, even Hinduism doesn't have any real doctrines, and Jesus Christ is accepted as an avatar of Vishnu in some Vaishnavic Hindu religions.

 

[Morse]

Since there has not been any additions in a while, let's see what interest there is in keeping this discussion moving.

Christian doctrine is quite clear and unapologetically direct: Heaven is real and so is Hell, and there is ONLY ONE WAY for a person to get into heaven. Jesus Christ is the only person who can offer salvation and through him is the ONLY way to get it. To clear up ambiguity even more about Christian doctrine: Jesus is exactly as he is described in the Bible, i.e. God incarnate, and the only way a person can get into heaven is not by any works, but only by accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus has offered to all.

This implies that EVERY religion that is not Christian is wrong. So we have:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Taoism
Islam
Wicca
Universalism/Unitarianism
Mormonism
Jehova's Witnesses
Judaism
etc. etc.
ALL WRONG RELIGIONS AND ALL SEND PEOPLE TO HELL (you could object to part of this statement if you are familiar with the concept of predestination, but please no red herrings)

So to conclude, how could I respect a religion when its doctrine sends people to hell?

I believe there is a certain saying, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you". Just because they don't do it doesn't mean you shouldn't do it to them.

As well, we cannot lump everybody together based on official doctrine. I've said it numerous times before that the same data manifests itself in different ways in different people. Just because the data (Christian Doctrine) says X, doesn't mean it computes as X. This is what we call interpretation or perspective. I really don't see how its logical to hold Christianity in a lower light because of what data says. You should make your judgments (if you feel the need to) on the product of the data after computation. As in, after you speak with a christian (and logically the judgment should be restricted to said christian and not any of his brethren).

As well, the two bolded religions (Mormonism and Jehovah's Witness) are forms of Christianity.

 

[blackout]

Since there has not been any additions in a while, let's see what interest there is in keeping this discussion moving.

Christian doctrine is quite clear and unapologetically direct: Heaven is real and so is Hell, and there is ONLY ONE WAY for a person to get into heaven. Jesus Christ is the only person who can offer salvation and through him is the ONLY way to get it. To clear up ambiguity even more about Christian doctrine: Jesus is exactly as he is described in the Bible, i.e. God incarnate, and the only way a person can get into heaven is not by any works, but only by accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus has offered to all.

This implies that EVERY religion that is not Christian is wrong. So we have:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Taoism
Islam
Wicca
Universalism/Unitarianism
Mormonism
Jehova's Witnesses
Judaism
etc. etc.
ALL WRONG RELIGIONS AND ALL SEND PEOPLE TO HELL (you could object to part of this statement if you are familiar with the concept of predestination, but please no red herrings)

So to conclude, how could I respect a religion when its doctrine sends people to hell?

LOL.

Other people's doctrines & religions don't send them to hell.
Your GOD does! lolol (in your mind anyway)

So now how can I respect your religion or your god?
when it/it's doctrines sends people to hell. :tsk: