How tolerant are you of spiritual beliefs other than your own?

[Old_Scratch]

I would like to propose this question from the perspective of person to person. There is no need to involve what is taught in schools, or any laws or anything like that. Lets just say, you've met someone who has strong beliefs that are the opposite of your own. How much do you tolerate them?

[bthizle1]

Entirely, until they (their beliefs) cause harm to someone other than themselves.

[Old_Scratch]

I'm in the tolerate completely category. I didn't include a middle ground because I felt that not caring is essentially the same as complete toleration.

[Arjun]

I'm in the tolerate completely category. I didn't include a middle ground because I felt that not caring is essentially the same as complete toleration.

not caring is not the same as complete tolerence. in fact complete tolerence might imply active support of a multi-religious environment( as in my case)

[Old_Scratch]

not caring is not the same as complete toleration. in fact complete toleration might imply active support of a multi-religious environment( as in my case)

I thought about including "does not care" as a answer and I decided against it. Sure, someone that doesn't care what anyones believes is different from someone who may actively support the beliefs of another, but for the purpose of this discussion I didn't feel it was necessary to distinguish between the two. I might be wrong, so feel free to state if your tolerance falls beyond the choices I've given.

[Arjun]

I thought about including "does not care" as a answer and I decided against it. Sure, someone that doesn't care what anyones believes is different from someone who may actively support the beliefs of another, but for the purpose of this discussion I didn't feel it was necessary to distinguish between the two. I might be wrong, so feel free to state if your tolerance falls beyond the choices I've given.

nah, i was not trying to nit pick, but was just trying to point out that "dont care" might imply a lack of interest, hence the apparent tolerance, instead of tolerance because of respect for any religious affiliation

[manofarms89]

Entirely, until they (their beliefs) cause harm to someone other than themselves.

this is my view as well. although there may be some who choose the completely tolerant option from fear of being called a bigot, i am honestly tolerant of others religions and to a certain degree political positions.

I am an atheist, but I could not care less if you're a christian, muslim, etc. so long as you don't offend me based on your religion. F.ex "You're going to hell, sinner!" etc. kinda pisses me off. But then I'm not pissed off at your religion, rather I'm pissed off at you.

But I believe I'm slightly biased against religious people, though most of the god-lovers I know are good guys and gals. One of them even supports Liverpool, and his father is a priest. 3-3 anyone?

it is very wrong for a Christian to tell someone that they are going to hell (mostly because it means that they are playing God by passing judgment) but the atheist equivalent is telling a religious person that they believe in myths and superstitions (which you guys do quite a lot)... so which is the most tolerant?

[Old_Scratch]

this is my view as well. although there may be some who choose the completely tolerant option from fear of being called a bigot, i am honestly tolerant of others religions and to a certain degree political positions.

Remember, we're speaking from a person to person perspective. I don't want politics or whatnot to come into this. We are just talking about someone who has the opposite beliefs that you do.

[manofarms89]

Remember, we're speaking from a person to person perspective. I don't want politics or whatnot to come into this. We are just talking about someone who has the opposite beliefs that you do.

of course. i just added that bit about politics as a matter of factually.

[MaximiIian]

Entirely, until they (their beliefs) cause harm to someone other than themselves.

This.

My belief system and religion, being more esoteric in its leanings, is generally tolerant of other beliefs, as a result of its considering itself a limited system, rather than a universalist one that claims a monopoly on truth.

Of course, just because I'm tolerant of others' beliefs doesn't mean I necessarily agree with others' beliefs. Some, by definition of my own, are obviously incompatible with my belief system (e.g., I'm tolerant of monotheists, but I do not agree with them due to my being a polytheist).
And then there are some beliefs out there that I find outright stupid, but I still tolerate them anyway. If their belief doesn't hurt me or anyone else, there's no reason to not be tolerant of them. Again, though, it doesn't mean that I have to like their belief or agree with it. Tolerance and acceptance are two different concepts.

I'd strongly suggest everyone to see the South Park episode The Death Camp of Tolerance.

[Visna]

Mostly tolerant. There are some particularly devout religious people I find it difficult to deal with for extended periods of time, especially the preaching kind of people. You know those? Now, I don't know if it's a coincidence, but it seems to me like Muslims and Christians are the "worst" when it comes to preaching. They can end up annoying me after a while.

[Arjun]

I would like to propose this question from the perspective of person to person. There is no need to involve what is taught in schools, or any laws or anything like that. Lets just say, you've met someone who has strong beliefs that are the opposite of your own. How much do you tolerate them?

Very. not only do i think that different religious views/philosophies should be tolerated, but also encouraged. Human beings are so diverse, both in thought and in action... it is folly indeed to think that there would be "one' true path. There would be as many paths as there are human beings in the world...if not more.


Those who try to impose their own religious views on others, are but narrow minded people who expect everyone to think and act like themselves....all human beings are not from the same cookie cutter.


everyone should find his/her own path and walk it, rather than concerning themselves with what path others walk on.


PS: i chose "I am completely tolerant of the beliefs of others"

[Yorkshireman]

Very. not only do i think that different religious views/philosophies should be tolerated, but also encouraged. Human beings are so diverse, both in thought and in action... it is folly indeed to think that there would be "one' true path. There would be as many paths as there are human beings in the world...if not more.

True. It would be a very boring world if we were all the same.

[Pious Agnost]

I never tell people my beliefs unless the situation requires it, or they ask to know of them.

I never debate someone on their beliefs without asking them first.

I consider myself a tolerant person and I believe that every man must find his own way to Heaven, salvation or depressing impending nothingness.

I will correct an Atheist who thinks their position is the only logical one though

[Ishoss]

I am an atheist, but I could not care less if you're a christian, muslim, etc. so long as you don't offend me based on your religion. F.ex "You're going to hell, sinner!" etc. kinda pisses me off. But then I'm not pissed off at your religion, rather I'm pissed off at you.

But I believe I'm slightly biased against religious people, though most of the god-lovers I know are good guys and gals. One of them even supports Liverpool, and his father is a priest. 3-3 anyone?

[Bovril]

Unless their beliefs include either trying to make me agree with them relentlessly (but I enjoy a friendly discussion, have a crack at converting me if you like), or must implicitly be manifested in appaling behaviour (sacrificing virgins or something) then I'm pretty tollerant. I may enjoy the company of people I can discuss things productively with a little more (which doesn't mean they have to agree with me), but on the whole, I'll get along with anyone. I've been perfectly happy to chat to members of the BNP, fundamentalists of several different stripes, Neocons and others who I very much disagree with quite amicably. I've always thought that what I have in common with any other person is far greater than what might divide us. To be honest, the thing about other people's beliefs that I am most intollerant of is if they express them in a way that bores me.

[★Bandiera Rossa☭]

I honestly find other peoples beliefs fascinating, It is interesting to me how all religions share many things such as similar morals, Lore, or even characters. (Islam accepting Christian and Jewish Prophets and Hindu religions accepting Jesus) It does seem like some members are a bit non accepting however (shown by their reactions to the simple question by a board member of whether there were Mormons on this forum)

[Pious Agnost]

That's why I'm wondering if anyone is going to be honest

[Bovril]

That's why I'm wondering if anyone is going to be honest

I tried to be, by saying I am intollerant of people who are not capable of expressing themselves in a way I find interesting. Maybe I need to get more confessional.

On the other hand, maybe you should start calling people out. That could really send this thread into a shortlived flurry of activity, before locking.

[paokmam]

I have no problem whatsoever. But, if he or she is trying to convince/convert or whatever me or a member of my family, then I put him/her out of my life.