How far should our lack of respect for religion go?

[Rum]

My recent minor 'do' with an old work colleague - somewhere between acquaintance and friend got me thinking. His beliefs are really quite ridiculous and although I have been challenging them in a polite sort of way I am not taking it much further. I suppose this is out of respect for the human relationship and the fact that actually I have known him for close to 30years.

But really his fundie views are actually such a distorted take on a rational world view that I wonder if I should be more outspoken. But then again to what end if, as I am sure, he won't change his views. Also, yet again, who am I to say I am right and he is wrong?

Which, to widen the point, is the thought here. How far should one challenge the stupidity!? Or should there be an element of respect? They have little for us in my experience by the way.

Any thoughts?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Depends on how many fights you want to get into.

[FBM]

For me, people are more important than ideas. If you value the relationship and the person, don't sweat the petty stuff. OTOH, for people who come knocking on my door or are otherwise trying to shove their fantasies down my throat, it doesn't bother me to just laugh, close the door, or walk away. It's not really worth getting angry or too excited about for me. IOW, respect the person, but not the religion.

[Audley Strange]

I have NO respect for religion. I don't care if people believe in God unless they start going on about it at which point they are fair game.

[Robert_S]

Context dependent.

I won't sign off on the bullshit, but I'll leave it be when the other person isn't being argumentative.

[HomerJay]

I think if you need to respect their religion to get inside their pants then that's reasonable.

But I wouldn't go further than that.

[FBM]

I think if you need to respect their religion to get inside their pants then that's reasonable.

But I wouldn't go further than that.

There is that, yes...and maybe if you stand to profit off the person somehow...

[maiforpeace]

For me, people are more important than ideas. If you value the relationship and the person, don't sweat the petty stuff. OTOH, for people who come knocking on my door or are otherwise trying to shove their fantasies down my throat, it doesn't bother me to just laugh, close the door, or walk away. It's not really worth getting angry or too excited about for me. IOW, respect the person, but not the religion.

and

I have NO respect for religion. I don't care if people believe in God unless they start going on about it at which point they are fair game.

[Hermit]

My brother is a fundie to the extent that he is also a young-earth-creationist. I like him for 52 years now. This has helped me to make a clear distinction between people and their views, and to take each of the latter on their own merits. My brother's fundamentalism is only one among many others.

[Tero]

You have to make fun of them, with another person there, without them knowing it.

[Seth]

My recent minor 'do' with an old work colleague - somewhere between acquaintance and friend got me thinking. His beliefs are really quite ridiculous and although I have been challenging them in a polite sort of way I am not taking it much further. I suppose this is out of respect for the human relationship and the fact that actually I have known him for close to 30years.

But really his fundie views are actually such a distorted take on a rational world view that I wonder if I should be more outspoken.

Do you care about continuing the friendship? If so, I suggest you mind your own business.

But then again to what end if, as I am sure, he won't change his views. Also, yet again, who am I to say I am right and he is wrong?

Do his beliefs either pick your pocket or break your leg? If not, tolerating his beliefs is merely reciprocal good manners, after all, he's been politely ignoring the fact that you're an Atheist all this time.

Which, to widen the point, is the thought here. How far should one challenge the stupidity!? Or should there be an element of respect?

It's called "common courtesy." Unless you have some compelling reason to interfere with other people's beliefs, sticking your oar in merely because you think their beliefs are stupid is the height of arrogance and rude behavior. If their religious beliefs cause them to act in ways that are not peaceable and respectful of your equal right to be an Atheist, then by all means confront them for their bad behavior. But to confront someone merely because they don't believe the same way you do is just as inherently evil and disrespectful as when a person of religion does it to you. Intolerance of religious diversity is no more acceptable than intolerance of sexual diversity.

They have little for us in my experience by the way.

Then leave them alone and mind your own business.

[rachelbean]

I'm not sure the title of the thread matches the question asked inside. I have less than no respect for religion but I have respect for many people who happen to be religious and I don't feel it's my job to instruct them or criticize in any way. I have a few people (including my parents) on Facebook that I have in a filtered list so they don't get my atheist or evolution posts, not because I'm ashamed of those beliefs but because I know the info won't change their minds and I try and think how I feel about seeing religious posts.

That being said, if someone posts something bigoted I have no problem saying exactly what I think about it. I don't pick fights but I am up front about my beliefs or lack thereof and I try and be as civil and kind as possible, which hopefully gives some people a positive view of atheists

[Rum]

Some good points. The general consensus seems to be live and let live, which would be my approach as a rule especially if their beliefs have no negative impact on one. It gets a bit tougher though, for me anyway, when people you know say things like 'god bless you' and 'I will pray for you' and other specifically religious things which kind of 'include' you in their circle of belief.

The person who got me thinking about this (the FB friend) did this quite frequently. I tended to hold back but my impulse was to say I had no wish for a blessing from his imaginary sky god. It used to irritate me like hell.

[Clinton Huxley]

If someone said "I'll pray for you" to me I'd just shrug. They might as well say, "I'll read pages 1-5 of Naughty Amelia Jane by Enid Blyton for you". I couldn't care less, not even enough to make a fuss about it. Pray for me? Knock yourself out, set to with a will!

[Animavore]

If I didn't have tolerance for religious people I'd have no friends. It's that simple. I'm sure it must be great to live in an ivory tower with people all on the same wavelength but I don't live there. There's not one of my friends who don't believe in some bullshit. Not necessarily religion but some woo or other. They all know my position on things so we never fight over it. I find it amusing that I often hear them start a sentence, "I know you don't believe in this but..." and then proceed to tell me about some woo which I usually listen to without interruption or challenge, though if they ask what I think I'll tell them. I think the fact that people make this concession to me and not the other way around is indicative of something