Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Why should I have to respect other peoples beliefs?

Walt · 07-09-2009, 11:35 AM

In an open discussion in my political science class, a student claimed that "before 'Shrub' took office and invaded Iraq, Americans never had to worry about terrorism at home or abroad."

I responded "Thats the dumbest thing anyone will hear all day. Americans have a long history of being victims of terrorism in and out of the country. Ted Kaczynski, Eric Rudolph, Tim McVeigh, Terry Nichols, Al-Qaeda (1993 WTC), the Beruit Embassy bombing, etc all pre-dated Bush's policies. To suggest that terrorism is some sort of new, Bush-induced phenomenon is flat out wrong."

I was promptly chastised by the professor and told its important to respect other peoples beliefs.

My question is this: Why? Why should I have to respect someones belief that I know to be flat-out wrong? In matters of opinion, I can understand a due respect. Some people believe the Rolling Stones were a better band than The Beatles. Fine, thats a matter of opinion. But when someone told you that they believed the world to be flat or that the Easter Bunny is real, would you respect that or immediately label them an idiot?

07-09-2009, 11:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Walt I'm calmer than you are, dude Location: North Carolina	Why should I have to respect other peoples beliefs? In an open discussion in my political science class, a student claimed that "before 'Shrub' took office and invaded Iraq, Americans never had to worry about terrorism at home or abroad." I responded "Thats the dumbest thing anyone will hear all day. Americans have a long history of being victims of terrorism in and out of the country. Ted Kaczynski, Eric Rudolph, Tim McVeigh, Terry Nichols, Al-Qaeda (1993 WTC), the Beruit Embassy bombing, etc all pre-dated Bush's policies. To suggest that terrorism is some sort of new, Bush-induced phenomenon is flat out wrong." I was promptly chastised by the professor and told its important to respect other peoples beliefs. My question is this: Why? Why should I have to respect someones belief that I know to be flat-out wrong? In matters of opinion, I can understand a due respect. Some people believe the Rolling Stones were a better band than The Beatles. Fine, thats a matter of opinion. But when someone told you that they believed the world to be flat or that the Easter Bunny is real, would you respect that or immediately label them an idiot? __________________ Calmer than you are...