Two wrongs make a right? Would you say it's okay to be racist, for instance, in response to racism? I agree that such "Christians" are hypocrits. I don't follow their lead and I don't love it when they pretend to represent my religion or to follow the teachings of Christ - which they do NOT do. If you follow the lead of idiots, don't be surprised if it leads you into idiocy. [BTW - I am calling bullshit on their behavior. Not making fun of their religion.]



I don't know if I would put it that way, but I agree. I grew up in a fundamentalist household and I find its worldview and politics nauseating to the extreme.



There is a difference between respecting and honoring or speaking up for something. I respect Mormons as people. At the same time, I think their religion is irrational and certainly not right for me. I feel okay saying "irrational." I don't feel okay calling Mormons stupid or Mormonism stupid. I'm not sure what you mean by "transforms us all from human beings into salesmen." I don't encourage others to follow Mormonism, neither do I make fun of it. Surely there is a reasonable middle ground?

Salesmen pretend to believe something they don't, in order to keep the people they talk to happy.

Why respect an irrational (your word) belief? Why pretend that you do?

This isn't about "respect as people". The original post wasn't disrespectful to Christians "as people".

This is probably true of less than 30% of all the salesmen in the universe. Salespeople who don't believe in their product don't last long and aren't very successful.



Because I respect the people that hold those beliefs and because what I believe is irrational may in fact not be. Are you so self-assured that you 100% know you are right about everything? Haven't you ever thought someone was wrong/irrational and then found out later they were right? As long as someone's beliefs don't directly harm you, I don't see the harm in giving them space.



My opinion differs from yours here. I can argue with someone about their beliefs, but calling them stupid or lampooning those beliefs is to make fun of the person who holds them. Would you game with someone if they thought your beliefs were stupid and openly mocked them? How long. Let's move it from religion to politics, which is only slightly safer ground. How long could you game with someone who ridiculed and told stupid jokes about your political ideas. (Keep in mind, arguing is different. If they disagree with you using logic and facts, that's legitimate discourse. I don't care if you think Christianity is irrational. But it's not the same as joking about whether Jesus was a zombie or a liche.)

BTW. I am only still talking about this because you all are. I'm willing to drop it.

For the record I don't agree with religion, but I don't think people are stupid for believing. Simply different. I mock everyone, myself especially, for well...everything!

Sure, if you're uncertain, that's a good reason.



Again, we're not talking about "giving them space". We're talking about faking respect for opinions you consider stupid.



Well, I'd rather know they think my beliefs are stupid than have them fake it just so we can roll d12s together? I have shedloads of people I can game with, so if someone thinks my beliefs are irrational or stupid, I would rather they be honest with me.

Anyway, I'm cool with my beliefs being ridiculed, sometimes I believe ridiculous things and it helps me to realize that.

Crap. It looks like I missed all the fun.