Do all religions deserve respect automatically?
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A student group was thrown out of a university fair recently because Muslims felt "distressed" and said that these students lacked respect for their religion.
Does a religion, or do all religions automatically deserve respect? Are religious believers demanding respect or acceptance?
Does the demand for respect stay there or is respect soon broadened to include deference, reverence, admiration and the rejection of criticism? Where is the cut-off?
Does this demand for respect extend to representatives, symbols and objects? Where is the cut-off?
Will this lead to demanding blasphemy laws in all countries of this planet and for every person? Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal? Where is the cut-off?I personally grant every living being respect. This respect can be enhanced or diminished by and through interaction only. Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
On the other hand is it possible to actually insult a dead person? Is it possible to insult an object? Am I insulting all drivers of a BMW if I say I don't like the bumper of the new 3-series? Do I need to respect their belief if they were to tell me that they believe their car is perfect and without flaws?
I'd love to hear the opinions of people here.
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Shalom Aleikhem,
You asked so many questions ......... O
A student group was thrown out of a university fair recently because Muslims felt "distressed" and said that these students lacked respect for their religion.
Does a religion, or do all religions automatically deserve respect? Are religious believers demanding respect or acceptance?
Does the demand for respect stay there or is respect soon broadened to include deference, reverence, admiration and the rejection of criticism? Where is the cut-off?
Does this demand for respect extend to representatives, symbols and objects? Where is the cut-off?
Will this lead to demanding blasphemy laws in all countries of this planet and for every person? Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal? Where is the cut-off?I personally grant every living being respect. This respect can be enhanced or diminished by and through interaction only. Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
On the other hand is it possible to actually insult a dead person? Is it possible to insult an object? Am I insulting all drivers of a BMW if I say I don't like the bumper of the new 3-series? Do I need to respect their belief if they were to tell me that they believe their car is perfect and without flaws?
I'd love to hear the opinions of people here.
Let me share my view
"A student group was thrown out of a university fair recently because Muslims felt "distressed" and said that these students lacked respect for their religion."
Which university ? Where ? When ? O O
Does a religion, or do all religions automatically deserve respect?
NoAre religious believers demanding respect or acceptance?
You have to be more specific. It can vary from one individual to another.Does the demand for respect stay there or is respect soon broadened to include deference, reverence, admiration and the rejection of criticism?
Highly subjective. But I must say that you have already "assumed" that they are demanding respect and it isnt about anything else. Which is a questionable premise.Where is the cut-off?
N/A for my previous answer.Does this demand for respect extend to representatives, symbols and objects?
Once again we are assuming that this is a "demand for respect". But like other things, people will naturally aim towards getting the most out of their investments ) So, extensions are pretty much the next logical step.Where is the cut-off?
No fixed border, it depends on who they are negotiating with.Will this lead to demanding blasphemy laws in all countries of this planet and for every person?
As I said earlier, it looks to me as if demands like this is the next logical step.Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal?
I think so. Given that their foundation is without reason, they need to ban reasoning for the sake of survival. )Where is the cut-off?
Depends on who they are demanding such things from.Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
Well, you need not respect any such thing. All we need of each other is to respect our rights to believe. Thats it. You don't actually have to respect the "belief" itself. That is something born straight out of politics. By the way, I am not asking you to go around being rude with those who don't believe in the same things that you do. Thats an entirely different thing.Is it possible to actually insult a dead person?
Given that the person is dead, he/she wont feel anything.Is it possible to insult an object?
Hmm, it is not possible for the object to feel insulted. Atleast not in any way that makes sense.Am I insulting all drivers of a BMW if I say I don't like the bumper of the new 3-series? Do I need to respect their belief if they were to tell me that they believe their car is perfect and without flaws?
Well, if we are talking about insult-due-to-criticism, it doesn't matter if you are criticizing BMW, Muhammad or God. You should have the right to criticize. You should have the freedom to express your views, regardless of how anti-God/anti-Muhammad or anti-BMW you sound.Now, I have one question for you.
Are you upset ?
Peace
------------ Student of Allah -
Greetings and Peace, all group
Opinions are forthcoming. )
People deserve tolerance. People deserve polite interaction when interaction exists, or an appropriate interaction based on their actions.
It isn't compromise to build bridges or find common ground, but it can be destructive to dwell on differences. No person should be forced to listen to another speak under ordinary circumstance.
Proverbs 264 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 265 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Maybe it is best to avoid the company of fools altogether! bravo
Dead people can't be insulted, but the living can be. In some cases, insulting a dead person may insult the living.
The ability of a person to be offended in no way trumps the freedom of another to offend. There is a time for every season--a time for flinty truths and a time for tact.
It seems that there will always be persons that are insulted over innocuous incidents--but what would a reasonable person feel?
Regarding what is "reasonable", consider the definition of lewd. Some people find nothing lewd with zoophilia; does this mean that the majority need to accept the marginal beliefs of a few in this matter? Of course not; this isn't how society works. When majority opinions diverge too much from what one finds acceptable, it might be time to consider moving elsewhere.
Regarding legalities, these will vary with time and place.
ALLAH knows best.
peace
~Abdul-Hadi
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A student group was thrown out of a university fair recently because Muslims felt "distressed" and said that these students lacked respect for their religion.
Does a religion, or do all religions automatically deserve respect? Are religious believers demanding respect or acceptance?
Religions no, people's belief in them, yes. We all have a right to believe as we choose and we should all respect another's belief, not necessarily respect 'what' they believe.
I think respect is due to all, as you say further down but acceptance is another thing. I think people mix these up when making their demands. One can respect without accepting as you respect 'their' belief but don't accept it as your own.
Does the demand for respect stay there or is respect soon broadened to include deference, reverence, admiration and the rejection of criticism? Where is the cut-off?
Yes it's soon broadened, as it's mixed up with acceptance. Cut off is respect, then line drawn.
Does this demand for respect extend to representatives, symbols and objects? Where is the cut-off?
It only extends in the way you respect 'their belief' in their representatives, symbols and objects.
Will this lead to demanding blasphemy laws in all countries of this planet and for every person? Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal? Where is the cut-off?
We'll probably have killed each other by the time they try bringing that in in some countries.
I personally grant every living being respect. This respect can be enhanced or diminished by and through interaction only. Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
Its not respecting a belief, it's respecting someone else's belief. Their belief, their right to believe what they wish.
On the other hand is it possible to actually insult a dead person? Is it possible to insult an object?
No and no. It is possible to insult people who hold that dead person in a high esteem but not the dead person himself.
Am I insulting all drivers of a BMW if I say I don't like the bumper of the new 3-series?
No
Do I need to respect their belief if they were to tell me that they believe their car is perfect and without flaws?
Yes. That is their belief not yours, you have to respect that they believe that. You don't have to believe it though.
peace -
Respect for religion is like asking for respect for mathematics. You don?t respect mathematics, or religion, you use them, make them serve you or those you serve.
Persons deserve respect, unless they transgress themselves what they owe to others.
You do not demean nor run over other peoples religion or mathematics, because if their religion or matehmatics are not useful to you, to them they are or they think so, and they are lords over their life just like you are over yours.
The cut off? If you want to share your life with somebody who has certain habits, you know you will have to find an arrangemente to make you capable of living with what those habits entail for your everyday life, if you cannot, then leave it just go your way and let the other go his or her way. Keeping distance is better than offending.
Even if something displeases you that others do, unless they trespass your own domain, there is no reason to show displeasure. Just avoid those things. You do not have to accept them for yourself, but you have to accept that others live with them.As to blasphemy, what they are calling today blasphemy is not blasphemy. When people who are not Muslims make malevolent fun of the prophet, they are not blapheming, it is not sacred of godly for them, what they do in fact is mischief, sowing mischief among the people, it is disgusting and malevolent. Just as it would be for a Muslim believer to make fun and dispise the things held sacred by somebody else. That is not freedom, that is ill will and bad faith. If you do not believe in it or you dislike it just leave it alone, the world does not need your approval to keep turning.
Salaam
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Good question... hmm
At first when you asked if all religions deserved respect, I was about to say of course! But then a few prime examples came to mind and I decided to change my response.
Scientology for one. I think we are all pretty well versed on this death-cult. If we didn't love Tom Cruise so much we would be less likely to look this one over.
But the line gets blurry.
In China there was a movement called Fl?n D?f and the group's charismatic leader helped to motivate it's rapid expansion throughout the mainland. Well the ever-so-tolerant Chinese government crackdown on this religion and started mass persecutions of believers. The government committed many atrocities and violated the sanctity of human life (again).
However, after closer examination, Fl?n D?f is extremely cult-like. Its leader is convinced that he is the savior of humanity, has openly bashed homosexuals, as well as advocated against race mixing. Routine brainwashings are commonplace (someone has to pay the bills). He has even gone as far as to say that there will be different heavens for each of the races (sorry, mixed children, try again in the next life). By the way you have to practice Fl?n Gng to get there in the first place.
So I find myself again agreeing with sister Ayisha in that, we must approach all religions with a fair amount of skepticism, but absolutely respectful of the individual's right to choose.
Surah 109
peace
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A student group was thrown out of a university fair recently because Muslims felt "distressed" and said that these students lacked respect for their religion.
Does a religion, or do all religions automatically deserve respect? Are religious believers demanding respect or acceptance?
Does the demand for respect stay there or is respect soon broadened to include deference, reverence, admiration and the rejection of criticism? Where is the cut-off?
Does this demand for respect extend to representatives, symbols and objects? Where is the cut-off?
Will this lead to demanding blasphemy laws in all countries of this planet and for every person? Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal? Where is the cut-off?I personally grant every living being respect. This respect can be enhanced or diminished by and through interaction only. Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
On the other hand is it possible to actually insult a dead person? Is it possible to insult an object? Am I insulting all drivers of a BMW if I say I don't like the bumper of the new 3-series? Do I need to respect their belief if they were to tell me that they believe their car is perfect and without flaws?
I'd love to hear the opinions of people here.
Well the Quran says we should not insult and use vulgar language so that they may not insult God in their ignorance. The Quran itself never uses vulgar language but does use strong criticism. Jesus used strong language in the Gospel against the Pharisees but did not use vulgar language. The Quran also does not needlessly ridicule or use witty sarcasm. It uses serious language and arguments. It says we should debate and argue with the best means and manners. The Quran encourages debate but not with those who want to simply mock. The Quran takes religious discourse and debates seriously. We are told to avoid those who take the issue as mockery and just want to argue for the sake of arguing. If someone is not interested we are told to avoid discussing such matters with them
The Quran most of all assures the freedom of people to accept the message or not and does not allow compulsion.
That is what I remember right now from the verses of the Quran
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As to blasphemy, what they are calling today blasphemy is not blasphemy. When people who are not Muslims make malevolent fun of the prophet, they are not blapheming, it is not sacred of godly for them, what they do in fact is mischief, sowing mischief among the people, it is disgusting and malevolent. Just as it would be for a Muslim believer to make fun and dispise the things held sacred by somebody else. That is not freedom, that is ill will and bad faith. If you do not believe in it or you dislike it just leave it alone, the world does not need your approval to keep turning.
Salaam
Interesting depiction.. Let's test the idea.. by changing some subject here and there..
When people who are not "Worshipper of Marduk and idols" destroyed Marduk idol and other smaller idols , they are not blaspheming, it is not sacred of godly for them, what they do in fact is mischief, sowing mischief among the people, it is disgusting and malevolent.
Abraham, John, Jesus, Muhammad and other characters told in the Quran, they were all being convicted as "Blasphemous" and/or "Conducting Mischief" by their society..
What do you think?
Salam / Peace
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Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal?
I think so. Given that their foundation is without reason, they need to ban reasoning for the sake of survival. )A good one... rotfl rotfl
Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
Well, you need not respect any such thing. All we need of each other is to respect our rights to believe. Thats it. You don't actually have to respect the "belief" itself. That is something born straight out of politics. By the way, I am not asking you to go around being rude with those who don't believe in the same things that you do. Thats an entirely different thing.Nicely said.. bravo
Respect other people's right to believe in any BS that they want..
That doesn't necessarily imply that you need to respect the BS...
After all BS is a BS...Don't kill/torture other people who believe that by encircling a black rock will save their life / grant them paradise / earn them more wealth etc.. <-- This is respecting of other people's right to believe in any BS that they want...
While you're also free to state your opinion that the "black rock" will NOT save their life, grant them paradise and/or make them to earn more wealth..
"The only reason why religion need protection from ridicule is because it is ridiculous"
-- AnonymSalam / Peace
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What were the details of this event?
I have no idea why, but I thought almost everyone had heard about this.
Students from the university Atheist, Humanist, and Secularist Society (RAHS) were forced to leave the Fayre after they included a pineapple labelled ?Mohammed? on their stall.
Staff from the Reading University Student Union (RUSU), as well as a number of Muslim students objected to this and asked the society to remove it, with a statement from the society stating that they were told ?Either the pineapple goes, or you do?.
Considering that the pineapple was labelled in this way ?to celebrate the fact that we live in a country in which free speech is protected, and where it is lawful to call a pineapple by whatever name one chooses? it is deeply concerning that RUSU have acted in this way.
In a statement given to Student Rights, RUSU said that "The Atheist, Humanist & Secularist society were asked to leave the Freshers? Fayre after receiving complaints from individual students about a display they had on their stall. They were initially asked to remove the display and after refusal were asked to leave."
They were demonstrating what free speech is and were shown that the fact that Muslims easily feel offended and distressed causes censorship - even when it is ridiculous.
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A student group was thrown out of a university fair recently because Muslims felt "distressed" and said that these students lacked respect for their religion.
Does a religion, or do all religions automatically deserve respect? Are religious believers demanding respect or acceptance?
Does the demand for respect stay there or is respect soon broadened to include deference, reverence, admiration and the rejection of criticism? Where is the cut-off?
Does this demand for respect extend to representatives, symbols and objects? Where is the cut-off?
Will this lead to demanding blasphemy laws in all countries of this planet and for every person? Will satire or criticism of a religion be deemed illegal? Where is the cut-off?I personally grant every living being respect. This respect can be enhanced or diminished by and through interaction only. Why should I respect a belief? All beliefs? Where is the cut-off?
On the other hand is it possible to actually insult a dead person? Is it possible to insult an object? Am I insulting all drivers of a BMW if I say I don't like the bumper of the new 3-series? Do I need to respect their belief if they were to tell me that they believe their car is perfect and without flaws?
I'd love to hear the opinions of people here.
Peace Stop S
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Peace O0
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I have no idea why, but I thought almost everyone had heard about this.
Everyone? Did this happen in the US? If so, 'most' people don't live in the US and won't hear about US news. Unlike what many Americans seem to think (but I'm not saying that you think so), US is not the center, or major part of the world.
So no, I haven't heard about this. I live in Europe. In case it happened in UK, I still didn't hear about it. I don't live in UK either.
Students from the university Atheist, Humanist, and Secularist Society (RAHS) were forced to leave the Fayre after they included a pineapple labelled ?Mohammed? on their stall.
Staff from the Reading University Student Union (RUSU), as well as a number of Muslim students objected to this and asked the society to remove it, with a statement from the society stating that they were told ?Either the pineapple goes, or you do?.
Considering that the pineapple was labelled in this way ?to celebrate the fact that we live in a country in which free speech is protected, and where it is lawful to call a pineapple by whatever name one chooses? it is deeply concerning that RUSU have acted in this way.
In a statement given to Student Rights, RUSU said that "The Atheist, Humanist & Secularist society were asked to leave the Freshers? Fayre after receiving complaints from individual students about a display they had on their stall. They were initially asked to remove the display and after refusal were asked to leave."
Ok, so that's the story.
I still don't get what sort of get-together of universities that was and what was displayed on the stalls.
However, I find it odd that they pineapple group were throw out just because they had the name 'muhammad' on their pineapple. Of course, they were doing it to provoke or challenge, and they succeeded. The indeed managed to show how things easily go absurd when emotions are at play. The reactions to the pineapple seem to be a bit over the top, IMHO. I wonder what would have happened if it said 'Jew' on the pineapple. That's another grouping that's very sensitive. Religious people in general are, especially in not-so-secular countries. And those who oppose religions are no better. They're just as stuck up in their own ideas. Anyone who thinks that he/she is holier than thou, is not very holy at all.Had the Muslims not called for the removal, they would have gone stronger out of it. Now they are just reinforcing the victim role... like jews have done for so long... and any minority that take things out of context and proportions. But this is how it goes. There'll always be tensions between different ideologies, and it is the egos of individuals that are responsible for this. There is no such thing as 'which group is better or more correct or more wrong'... that's just another trick by the ego in us, to provoke separation and hurt emotions. Making someone else wrong is just stupid. Adult and mature immaturity.
Peace.
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Everyone? Did this happen in the US? If so, 'most' people don't live in the US and won't hear about US news. Unlike what many Americans seem to think (but I'm not saying that you think so), US is not the center, or major part of the world.
So no, I haven't heard about this. I live in Europe. In case it happened in UK, I still didn't hear about it. I don't live in UK either.
Ok, so that's the story.I still don't get what sort of get-together of universities that was and what was displayed on the stalls.
Is any of this important in any way?
However, I find it odd that they pineapple group were throw out just because they had the name 'muhammad' on their pineapple. Of course, they were doing it to provoke or challenge, and they succeeded. The indeed managed to show how things easily go absurd when emotions are at play. The reactions to the pineapple seem to be a bit over the top, IMHO. I wonder what would have happened if it said 'Jew' on the pineapple. That's another grouping that's very sensitive. Religious people in general are, especially in not-so-secular countries. And those who oppose religions are no better. They're just as stuck up in their own ideas. Anyone who thinks
that he/she is holier than thou, is not very holy at all.Since this "fair" was all about free speech, it was adequate and efficient I would think. Putting a label of "Jew" on a pineapple would not be adequate and protected under free speech. They did change "Muhammad" to "Jesus", which would be ok , as there is a difference between making a joke about a dead person and all living humans of a particular group. So putting a label of "blacks" or "Muslims" on a pineapple would not be illegal, but tasteless and primitive. I guess a funny caricature with a pineapple could make sense, but it would be a fine line.
Had the Muslims not called for the removal, they would have gone stronger out of it. Now they are just reinforcing the victim role... like jews have done for so long... and any minority that take things out of context and proportions. But this is how it goes. There'll always be tensions between different ideologies, and it is the egos of individuals that are responsible for this. There is no such thing as 'which group is better or more correct or more wrong'... that's just another trick by the ego in us, to provoke separation and hurt emotions. Making someone else wrong is just stupid. Adult and mature immaturity.
Peace.
True. So? Does religion, not people, deserve respect?
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I think the other posters in this thread have given great answers... so I second most of what has been said.
I would add that it is meaningless to talk about respecting religion and not people, since the respect cannot be sensed by a religion. I think respect is a certain way of acting or not acting towards other people. Religion in our case actually refers to the activities of a certain group of people. So respecting a religion means respecting the people who follow that religion. Deserving or not deserving depends on how the objects of the respect themselves act. Respect should first be given without condition, but you have to earn the keeping of it.
And what does respect mean anyway, especially for a religion/rituals and belief of a group of people? Agreement? Approval? Liking? Allowing? Is respect here the same as refraining from ridiculing, challenging or showing disagreement?
Peace
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Salaam
Respect is for who that have respect.. But NEver loose youre respect first. Islam by Quran only is not a religion is THE Deen.. the rest are phylosophys or falacies or remains of what can have been pure deens but corrupted by man along the eras.
Salaam