It’s time for believers to speak up. So I’m stepping forward now. I believe in God. I also think it’s everyone else’s right to choose what they believe. Whether they believe in a single god, many gods, or no gods at all. Or if they don’t know what to believe and decide it’s best not to take a stance. Until we have proof one way or the other (something I find unlikely to happen), it’s up to us to choose our beliefs, and search for the truth in whatever way we think best.
There is a caveat to this though. We must do so in a way that harms no one else, and we must be respectful of everyone else’s beliefs. It’s hard to come up with hard and fast rules, because people can be really touchy about religion. I think the best we can do is accept that some people will be offended by religious discussion, and do our best not to offend anyone while still speaking up and making ourselves heard. I think as long as we make the effort, most people will be willing to meet us half way. Yes, the heathen atheists and crazy people with friends in the sky can all get along if we just try to see things from the other point of view… and do so in a way where we give them the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they are rational and moral people, regardless of their religious beliefs, or lack thereof. Atheists aren’t amoral heathens, and those who believe in God aren’t crazy. Sure, both groups have people that fit those descriptions, but those are symptoms of being human, not the choice of religion they made.
Atheists, when you see people bashing religion, speak up. Religious people, when you see people giving atheists a hard time, speak up. Defend each other, not because you agree, but because you recognize their right to disagree, just as they’ll be recognizing your right to disagree. You don’t have to agree with a group to defend their rights. Just recognize they have a legitimate position.
Naturally, this isn’t intended to say you can’t state opposition to a belief system. Just do so respectfully, and call people out when they aren’t respectful about it. Maybe if we could all do this, we wouldn’t be stuck in a huge culture war between the different religious groups in our country.
Related Posts:
- Religious and Atheist Debates
- On Theism and Atheism
- The Relationship Between Science and Religion
- Protect Marriage in Maine
- Finding My Beliefs
Mike
April 9th, 2009
I mostly agree.
I don’t agree with respecting beliefs.Respect people not the beliefs.
All beliefs should be open to criticism. Some beliefs are better evidenced than others and have stronger foundations.
It shouldn’t be considered an insult to want someone to make a case for their beliefs when they are trying to influence you or the laws that affect you.
floslib
April 9th, 2009
That’s a fair distinction to make, and one I probably should have been clearer on when I wrote this.
My main point was that, while we might not agree with the beliefs others have, and we may ask them to defend those beliefs, we can still respect them as people and defend their right to have their beliefs.