Do you treat followers of other religious beliefs with the respect due to all fellow humans?

I am going to stop mocking people of faith.

I do, but I would be lying to say that I don't have a degree of suspicion (bias?) toward some faiths.

Yea

I will at least try to. However, I have no respect for Scientology.

Hi: Thanks for your response. I appreciate your honesty that you "at least try to." I do not care whether someone respects my religion or any other religion. However, the question asks whether you respect the followers who choose other religious paths. I have friends from all walks of life - and many of those paths are not paths I'd choose to walk. Still, I respect their right to choose their path and I can still respect the individual, if they aren't a****-holes and as long as they don't push their beliefs on me - as I don't push mine on them. I am a Scientologist. I have friends who are Christians, Atheists, Muslims, etc. On SH I've met people who follow religions that I'd never heard of before, some of the beliefs are pretty 'out there'. Regardless, I've had many private conversations with them, and found that we actually had more in common than not. If I had closed myself off from them because they follow a religion whose tenets I didn't like, then I would have closed myself off from knowing some very cool people.

I'd like to believe that there are Soda Heads out there who are glad they got to know me despite the fact that I chose a path that they weren't willing to or interested in traveling. I have about 500 friends on SH - and probably 495 of them are of other religions and/or atheists, agnostics, etc. Some of them were initially pretty antagonistic towards my religion and towards me until we talked privately and got to know each other.

And I will vouch for that. We have been best buddies on SH for almost 3 years and you have earned respect from many people. As a representative of a minority religion, you were often one amongst many attacking you from all sides. That took and still takes a great deal of courage and I commend you for your perserverance. You are a great example of your life's philosophy and you are someone who certainly "walks the walk".

That is very touching, Magical.

LOL

As long as they are treating me with respect, I do try and respect them in return. If they start making absurd claims against sciences, like saying that evolution is ridiculous and the only real answer is creationism, I reserve my right to argue their absurd claims are just that and some people take offense to that (but some others do not). It's one of those things that just annoy me, and I never drag those arguments away from their pseudo-scientific claims and onto the other problems I see with their religion. In fact, I usually try to point out that science and religion aren't at war and they don't need to reject science to believe in their god. Furthermore, the moment they start saying I am less of a human being because of my lack of belief-- that I have no morals and don't deserve to live, ect-- or fanatically try to convert me, I will start arguing against their religious beliefs. However, as long as they're treating me like a fellow human being, I will be as respectful as I possibly can.

I understand what you are saying. While I am not Agnostic or an Atheist, I have many friends on SH who are. I know their viewpoint, and I don't argue to change them - what a waste of time that would be! I also wouldn't belittle them for believing as they do. I wouldn't consider someone is "less of a human being" because they don't believe as I do, and I certainly would take offense if someone referred to me in that way.

I think we are on the same page with regards to respecting those who choose other paths.

If I don't respect their right, how may I expect to have their respect?

it depends on them and their actions and words. I am an anti-theist I do not respect any religion. But I do respect people that follow religion if I find they are deserving of my respect. Every person gets a small amount of respect from me. Their actions decide whether that respect rises or falls.

I have no negativity towards other religions...:x

But thats not much respect the rest must be earned.

Why wouldnt I?

I certainly try to. However, if another religion teaches that you are either on board with their beliefs or a second class citizen infidel, it becomes much more difficult. It's one thing to tell strangers about the religion you believe in because you think it will be good for the stranger and HOPE THEY will agree. It's quite another to be intolerant of just about anyone else.

Why do I say sometimes. I try to avoid conflict of beliefs, however, when those religious individuals attempt to impose their beliefs upon me and my family then they are a mortal enemy and I will defend my family against them every time.