General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: What can you guys tell me about Humanists? I've never dealt with one before. [View all]stopbush
(24,396 posts)"Every American has the right to believe, or not to believe, as they see fit, and no one has the right to tell anyone otherwise."
Do you apply that bromide to political discussions? When you talk politics with a tea party type, do you keep in mind that you have no right to tell them that you think otherwise? Is it entirely OK that they believe the way they do, even if such beliefs are based on lies and fantasies?
If not, then why give a carve out to religious discussion? Why is challenging a religious person's belief off limits? It should be no more off limits than any other discussion.
I would say that every American is entitled to their beliefs (religious, political, whatever), but no American is obligated to keep their mouth closed about those beliefs if they don't agree with those beliefs. That's called the marketplace of ideas.
Let's face it, religious belief is a conceit. Facts really don't matter - it's all about faith (ie: the cheapest commodity around) and opinion (like an asshole, everyone has one). Everyone's allowed to have their opinions and fantasies, but that doesn't insulate those beliefs from challenge or criticism.