User:Bob M/Respect

Response to User:Hojimachong/Respect

We are sometimes told that “respect” is a “Good Thing.” And as an abstract concept it is quite an attractive position.

But what is it that we are meant to respect? If respect refers to the way that we should treat all human beings regardless of colour, creed or hairstyle then I’m all for it. If, on the other hand, it means that we should respect all points of view and treat them all as equally valid, then I’m afraid that I’m against it.

Take homeopathy. It’s obviously wrong. Are we supposed to respect the idea simply because somebody believes strongly in it?

Another example. I live in a part of the world where there are a number of right wing racists. As far as I am aware they don’t beat their wives and seem to be kind to their dogs. Whereas I can, just about, respect them as people I cannot regard their views (and some of their actions) as anything other than abhorrent.

Others might argue that although homeopathy and fascism are obviously wrong that we should “respect” religious viewpoints. Does that mean that we should somehow respect ideas that the earth is 6,000 years old, or that a vengeful God killed everybody in a global flood a few thousand years ago? How would one go about respecting ideas that are so obviously wrong? Are we supposed to dance round them and somehow avoid saying that they’re absurd?

Sticking with religion, some years ago I was on a train and I fell into conversation with a Muslim about his religion. The question of female genital mutilation came up and he defended it as part of his religion. (I know other Muslims would take a different point of view, but that was his.) Should I have respected his religious views or should I have told him – as I did – that the concept was a disgusting, barbarous crime against humanity?

Notwithstanding all the above I am firmly of the view that when debating with people we should criticize the viewpoint being expressed and not the person expressing it. (I.e. that argument is stupid; as opposed to you are stupid.) But I see no reason not to state quite bluntly when and where an idea is ridiculous or even evil - be it religious or not.