Why respect for religious belief is invalid

[SecularMotion]

Religious Believers Demanding Respect:
In today’s world, religious believers' demand for respect is an area of strife that is rising. Satire, criticism or mocking of Islam is forbidden in the name of “respect”. As to do Christians, demand that same “respect”. Non believers have a problem, when “respect” is unclear what it means or how it is to be gained. Believers should be clear of what they want, with regards to respect, if that is what they want.

Respect vs. Tolerance:
Tolerance is sometimes all a person asks with regards to respect. The ability to restrict, punish or make something difficult to do but choosing not to do it, is the lowest state of tolerance. For example, I choose not to do anything about a Taxi that stops to load passengers in front of my driveway, blocking my exit, even when I can have the Taxi removed. Religious believers demand for tolerance should be granted and it’s usually reasonable to do so, in the cases of consensual behaviour that is non-violent. But this is not all that is required, there are usually other demands attached to this.

Going Beyond Tolerance:
Tolerance and respect do not mean the same thing, respect is a positive action, while tolerance is minimalist attitude. You can think very negative thoughts about someone that you tolerate, but it does not make sense to think these thoughts about someone that you also respect. So respect requires that one has positive thoughts, or emotions when it comes to religion at the very least. Not always is this a reasonable attitude.

Should Beliefs Be Respected?
Generally it is held that beliefs of a religious nature automatic deserve respect. Why is this so? We do not respect homophobia, or racism. The reason is because some beliefs are evil and immoral, or even just plain stupid. All beliefs must earn respect, not doing this, is to give one’s moral and intellectual responsibility when giving respect to all beliefs, regardless of their content.

http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/Why-respect-for-religious-belief-is-invalid-20111212

[MineralMan]

1. For me, it is not the belief that is respected,

but the believer's right to believe anything he or she can. It's of no interest to me what people believe. The only thing that is of interest to me is how people behave. Nothing else matters, except to the individual.

[Odin2005]

2. I respect people, not beliefs.

Just because I criticize your beliefs does not mean I hate you are think you are a horrible person.