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Originally Posted by Alphapheemail
yea, but some are stinkier than others...  |
Quote:
Originally Posted by krisk
yeah, well that's the elephant in the room that I was avoiding pointing out!
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While we're on that topic .... there seems to be some confusion about the right to have an opinion, and having that opinion respected. Everyone certainly has the right to the former, no one (not even Buddha, Jesus, and Mohamed on their best days) has a right to the latter.
I would hazard a guess that more people have probably died because someone somewhere thought they were entitled to instant respect for their opinion. And they got really pissed off when not everyone fell in line.
I can like someone (a whole lot actually) and still think their opinions on most topics are complete crap. As long as they don't mind that I don't respect their opinions, then we get along just fine. I will defend to the death their right to have the opinions I don't respect, just don't try to force me to respect them. And, by respect, I mean giving the opinion any credence whatsoever. Also I should add (which I did above) that by respect I mean that, even while you disagree with the opinion, you do at least appreciate the logic and reasoning behind the opinion. That's what I mean by giving it "credence" .... I do not mean agreeing with it, I mean you "respect" the other person's thought process.
If I do really respect the person, about the best you can expect is that I will try like crazy not to laugh directly in their face. I will excuse myself, usually run to the furthest private spot I can find, and then collapse in a fit of nearly uncontrollable laughter. Now, that's respect, for the person if not for the opinion.
I'll give you an example. There are some people I know (and like) who are of the opinion that the Egyptian Pyramids were built by aliens (from outer space). Now, having heard their arguments in favor of their beliefs, I can honestly say that I don't respect their opinions, simply because their underlying knowledge of Egyptian history is sadly lacking. The entire foundation for their opinion is based on a complete absence of education, something they read in some tabloid.
However, other friends of mine are convinced that they have been kidnapped by space aliens. They are utterly convinced that this has happened to them. And, I am not about to try to refute the sincerity of their personal experience. So, while I really doubt that it ever happened, I respect their opinion that it did .... I wasn't there, maybe it did .... and how did that computer chip get into their neck in the first place?? Same thing with religious beliefs and opinions. I happen to believe otherwise, however, I respect the beliefs of others ... even though I do not hold the same beliefs myself.
I do hope this makes the post a little more clear.