[Judas]

Of course it does, it is plan disrespectfull to openly disrespect someones belief system or culture. Anyone who tries to justify otherwise is wrong.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Judas

Of course it does, it is plan disrespectfull to openly disrespect someones belief system or culture. Anyone who tries to justify otherwise is wrong.

Does that extend to those glorious cultures and belief systems that include hanging homosexuals and stoning women to death?

[Livia]

I respect people who deserve respect, regardless of their religion. What religion people follow is probably the last question I would think to ask anyone.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Livia

I respect people who deserve respect, regardless of their religion. What religion people follow is probably the last question I would think to ask anyone.

I 100% agree with this.

[Judas]

Originally Posted by Stu

Does that extend to those glorious cultures and belief systems that include hanging homosexuals and stoning women to death?

This is a tricky issue but obviously a very important one, and when reading what I respond you have to take into account we are both from westernised backgrounds.

The religion still needs respecting; but the extremist practises do not. I feel we must respect all religions - but not neccesarily the practises that have grown alongside it and the culture. Maybe I should of said all beliefs need respecting - and within your belief you must have some kind of respect for others and their welfare.

Again I understand religion isn't exactally known for being inclusive - I just feel they must continue to adapt to the world we live in, and it's too simple to simply slam all religons as institutions full of hate and homophobia.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Judas

This is a tricky issue but obviously a very important one, and when reading what I respond you have to take into account we are both from westernised backgrounds.

The religion still needs respecting; but the extremist practises do not. I feel we must respect all religions - but not neccesarily the practises that have grown alongside it and the culture. Maybe I should of said all beliefs need respecting - and within your belief you must have some kind of respect for others and their welfare.

Again I understand religion isn't exactally known for being inclusive - I just feel they must continue to adapt to the world we live in, and it's too simple to simply slam all religons as institutions full of hate and homophobia.

I'm not slamming all religions as institutions full of hate and homophobia but you cannot just cherry pick which bits are the religion and which bits are the laws and acts you don't like which as a sudden concequence you see fit to seperate from the religion.

Some people are influenced by the message of Jesus to help others. I respect that. Some people are influenced by the message of the Koran to stone adulteresses to death. I don't respect that. It all comes from belief however.

It's not extremist in those countries. They have laws for it. It's seen as fairly normal. Those laws are directly based on their interpretation of the Koran. You can't simply allow for exceptions in the 'respect others beliefs' argument just because it's reached the point where you don't like something.

We all pick and choose what to respect even if we say otherwise and that's absoloutely fine. We are, apparently, highly evolved, cognitive creatures capable of making rational judgement after all.

The idea that something deserves automatic respect just because it is a religious belief is quite frankly absurd. Nothing seperates Christian missionaries, Rastafari ganja smokers, and Buddhist meditators from suicide bombers and beheaders of Western journalists as far as beliefs go. They each have a belief that they call their own and believe in. They all qualify for being religious beliefs.

They don't all qualify for my respect.