Should Atheists have respect for religious beliefs?
827047
If I had an invisible friend named Bill, they'd throw me in a padded cell. Yet, somehow it's acceptable in society to name my invisible friend Jehovah, Jesus, or Allah. \n\nPretty messed up if you think about it. The only real difference between sanity and insanity is what name  you choose to give your imaginary pal. \n\n-SD-
210775
I think some people are confused. They don't really realize that many of the people they think of as "atheists" are actually god-fearing individuals.\n\nThey simply point at Hollywood or scientists and assume that these people are godless. They are largely wrong.\n\nI'm coming from a different frame of view. I think that faith divides people and causes them to do terrible things to one another. Worse than that, it justifies these actions. The idea that atheists are immoral is faulty. The idea that one cannot have morals without god is faulty. \n\nThe people who come down so hard on atheism are missing that it truly is a message of tolerance. It's an acknowlegement that there are no rewards or punishments in some made-up after-life, so it is incumbent upon the individual to do the right thing for no other reason than doing the right thing. It is selfless in that sense.\n\nThere is a man in Florida who is trying to start a town for Catholics where abortion (among other things) would be banned. Is it constitutional? I don't know. However, I think that if I were to try to start a town for atheists, secular-humanists, whatever you want to call yourself and the only rules would be "1. No worship of the supernatural and 2. Tolerate everyone" people would go crazy and decry it as a new Sodom or Gomorrah.\n\nAlso, atheists cannot recruit in the traditional sense. We cannot "show you the light." One must reach their own rational conclusions. The further truth is that most atheists do not fault people simply for believing in god. It's when they use their faith as justification for intolerance or violence that we really get up in arms.\n\nDespite our lack of organization, we have something going for us that no other "faith" does. We will never go away. Whether people worship Zeus, Jehovah, or (maybe in 1000 years) The Star Wars Trilogy, there will always be people who say, "This cannot be right."
525096
I dont really know their names, but there are a couple agnostic/atheists who I respect. I dont agree but at least they answer intelligently and in a respectful manner. No one has to agree with me but Ill show the same respect to anyone that they show me regardless of their faith.
1008554
NO- atheist does not mean satanist (if you are equating that to evil). A belief system is sacred. I applaud anyone that takes the time to sort things out and not blindly follow the theology (or lack there of)  of their parents/friends/whatever. I occasionally wonder if those that do the right thing because it is the right thing and not to attain entrance into heaven more commendable.  If you are talking about someone who believes in nothing and therefore cares about nothing I'm not sure I would consider them "good"--- but who determines "evil" anyway.
705218
Unfortunately, a lot of people use the word "God" to describe things that are entirely natural, and then assume that when the atheist says "I don't believe," he is including all these things.  Let's clear that up...\n\nI believe in hope, honesty and trust.  I believe in the goodness of mankind, the promise of a better tomorrow, and the continual progression towards something greater than we are now.  I believe in love and compassion.  I believe in taking responsibility for one's actions and acting with integrity 100% of the time.  I believe we've come a long way, but I believe we have a long ways yet to go.  I believe in Justice and Truth that is binding and eternal, but is enforced by us alone.  I believe in morality, in treating people with respect and expecting that respect in return.  I believe in certain inalienable rights, and I believe in protecting those rights.  Above all else, I believe the Sun will rise, the rainclouds will fade, and the cancer will remit...\n\nI believe all these things without believing in God.\n\n\nIf you're confused, it's your prejudices showing.  Explore atheism some more...it is more than meets the eye.
1027779
Sounds good, an atheist is someone that doesn't believe in God, has nothing to do with religion. Your outlook on God is a refreshing change from the usual dyed-in-the-wool pew sitter.
69642
I wish they would. I think each person has their own path and a right to that path and if it makes them a better person who are we to try and judge them or convert them. I think if people really lived according to the basis of most religions they would respect others and love their neighbor without prejudice. It would be a wonderful world if we all would seek first to understand, then to be understood. Not have to insist on being right or seeing their way as the only way or others seeing people of other religions as a threat or some sort of abomination to their religion. I find it quite hypocritical and ironic.
394445
I was raised by atheists, and am agnostic. I have studied religions comparatively for over 40 years. Most are utter rubbish. Superstition for the ignorant who cannot face their own mortality. Buddhism has the best ethics but it in its uncorrupted form is not a religion. A real religion would have to be stand up to scientific analysis.
417774
No.\n\nHere is my usual response to that question:\n\nReligion can act as a guide to morals and values. However, morals and ethics of religion didn't originate from religion. People knew that it was wrong to steal and kill long before Abraham. As a matter of fact, "ethos", a Greek term for "ethics" was coined hundreds of years before Christ by Greek philosophers. \n\nHowever, I am an atheist but that doesn't make me less ethical or less moral than with someone with religion. A person is told to practice morals and ethics because of their religion. Atheists practice morals and ethics because we reason them out to be the morally correct thing to do in our lives. We have the intellect to reason out that it is the right thing to do, not that we are rewarded with a Heaven after death. That is a greater sense of moral purpose.
389077
I'm British so maybe shouldn't get involved with your countrys politics, but as a believer, no I don't think atheists should be persecuted, or anyone for their beliefs. Most of my friends and family are not Christians and we respect each other's beliefs.
845376
Actually it seems that the only universally held religious doctrine today is "All religions should be respected".  And according to that doctrine, I am a heretic - hope I won't be burned at stake for it!\nThere is no reason why all religions or all beliefs must be respected.   \nYou have to earn my respect.  And I have to earn yours.  These things don't come for free.
371348
The word Atheist is a label. People buy Labels. They ware them like signs to let everyone know what they like. An atheist is revolting against the status quo. Revolting against man rather than God. Man takes a stand on a belief or just makes an argument. It matters not to God what the atheist believes or stands for. God did his work. He gave it life and moved on. God cares not nor needs the worship of man. There is nothing that man can give that he does not already have. The advantage is within. If comfort and well being is felt with the title than that is a human characteristic and not necessarily a bad thing.
754746
Of course, we aren't wrong.  But, just to play with an idea... If atheism is wrong..athiests have no fear.  We live moral, good lives without the mask of self-rightousness.  If there were a god, most could stand before that entity and stand unashamed of their lives.  Just as many athieists live good decent lives as the believers in a god.  Only those who fear they will be punished for things they are ashamed of subscribe, in fear, to religion.
101967
I'm an atheist myself, but in defense of religious people, there are some wonderful, well-meaning, loving religious people out there. Then there are some jerks. It's the same, in my experience, with any group of people. There are always going to be some loudmouths who want to convince you to be like them. But don't let them make you think that they're all like that. They aren't.
872705
Hmm, interesting question, but I sense the premisse (and I could be wrong), that atheists do not care about other people, or are worried about the happiness of people.\nI do not believe in god, but I do believe in people, and I made it my job (I'm a teacher) to teach people to think for themselves. Not blindly following words, but testing them for their truth. I don't like to put all christians on a great big heap, I know there are smart christians and dumb christians, and I admire the christians (some of them are my friend) who not only believe in god, but put their faith to the test on a daily basis, just as I try to do with my ideas and convictions. When people parrot other people, there's a great danger, because a lot of things said are said beautifully or convincing, rather than true. And it is my believe to encourage *everyone* including atheists, christians, muslims or anyone else, to make up their own mind about things.\n\nSo in a way I do care if you don't believe in evolution and do believe in god, because I want to make sure you are truly convinced of this, and actually live your life the way you chose. Not because some book or some church or some philosopher or some politician told you so, but because *you* are convinced that it is right, and have checked all the options to make this choice.
848806
Yes I do. But don't believe in pushing my beliefs on anyone. Feel that everyone has their own choices on what they believe. And respect that. As I like to be respected. :)
821904
Yes, I agree with you 100%. We should all try to respect other people's religious beliefs even if we don't agree. It is rude to get into shouting matches with others. We don't want to be argumentative. God is a peaceful person and we should strive to be the same. Peace.