As not just a theist but a Christian I cannot see any reason that anyone should respect my beliefs. I can see reasons that my beliefs should be tolerated as long as the do not justifiably infringe on others.
Let me expand somewhat.
I believe that there is a God and afterlife and that my behavior while living will be judged after death.
Whether or not that is an accurate reflection of reality is pretty irrelevant; if I try to behave while alive in a way that would be judged as acceptable but there is no judgement or life after death I will still have lived an acceptable life.
I am appalled by the "Jesus paid for our sins" brand of Christianity as a cheap conjob and more than worthless, it is destructive. I have no respect for that snake oil product but do tolerate it since, Thank God, in the US, "The Bible told me so" is not accepted as defense for antisocial behavior.
Beliefs do not deserve respect but I think they do deserve tolerance unless they infringe on others.
I agree with thee. Then again - a slippery slope this is. If a believer can justify his/her condemning homosexuals with the Bible or because "that is what the Lord commands" AND that is seen as an acceptable reason by a majority then what? In the US (at least that is what it looks like to an outsider) saying God or telling that the Bible says so seems to be a "Get out of Jail -card" because it is intended to shut the mouths of the opposition - how can anyone rise against the "Good Book"...
Can I say that because the holy book of my faith of
Lastthursdayism stipulates that Christians should be openly mocked and ridiculed and if theyre hurt it just shows how right the LTs are - and people would just politely nod and say that yes, religious tolerance is quite fine and dandy?
We are talking about popularity - Abrahamic religions are quite popular (fortunately the number of non-believers is also on the rise) and that is why they (broad brush I agree) act as bullies and simultaneously as fragile primadonnas.
I dont want to hurt anyone - I get no pleasure at all seeing another human being in agony (neither mental or physical). OTOH I find myself thinking quite often how I cannot comprehend the believers and how someone (not me obviously should just slap them and tell that theyre deluded bigtime - especially as I ride past the Mormon temple. Grown-ups believing stuff like that - if it wasnt somehow Christian, theyd be called insane but now they in their utter lunacy enjoy the similar shield as the less moronic (pun intended) religions. Odd, very odd.