Originally posted by vistesd
[b]Why dont people have respect for our God?
This is not directed at you, per se, Nicholaas, but your question here triggered it.
First. Let me say that Shavix’s remarks were deliberate sarcasm toward people who claim to have talked with Jesus, with an underlying question about the narrow confines (time, place, language) of the Christian “revelatio ...[text shortened]... itchen (no judgment on anyone, here; I’ve had to get out of the kitchen myself a couple times).[/b]
Why would anyone assume, a priori, that your religious or philosophical viewpoints ought to be respected by anyone? Do you want anyone who happens to disrespect your views, even to the point of contempt, to simply shut up—so that expressions that are respectful of your views are the only ones ever heard? To put lucifershammers’ test on the other foot: Are you going to treat with respect views that you find abhorrent and distasteful—anti-Semitic diatribes, statements of virulent racism, for example?
First, let's be clear about the ways in which we use the term 'respect'
1. Respect for a viewpoint
2. Respect for a person
3. Treating a viewpoint with respect
4. Treating a person with respect
(1) and (2) are internal states; (3) and (4) are patterns of external behaviour.
Respecting a viewpoint involves, at the minimum, a willingness to consider or appreciate it. Respecting a person involves holding that person with some esteem.
Treating a viewpoint or a person with respect involves maintaining a minimum standard of decorum when engaging with that viewpoint or person (or, if one cannot maintain such a standard, to desist from engaging). It certainly does not involve contemptuous and offensive behaviour.
I don't respect all the persons I come across on this site; and I certainly don't respect all the viewpoints I come across. Nevertheless, if I do decide to engage with such persons or viewpoints, I try to maintain a minimum level of politeness and decency. And I certainly try not to go out of my way to offend him/her on a personal level.
So, to answer your questions:
a. I don't expect anyone to respect my viewpoints or me - but I certainly expect not to find material that is intentionally offensive. Why shouldn't I expect that? It's in the TOS - every user on this site has committed himself/herself to adhering to those terms.
b. I don't want people who disrespect my views to "simply shut up" - but I want to see a minimum level of decency in my interactions with them.
c. If I come across views that I find abhorrent and distasteful then I will engage with those views exactly as I have in this thread.
I’m just a bit weary of all the cries of “victim, victim!” If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen
I'm sorry, but I have every right to be in the communal "kitchen" as anyone else. And if the heat is because someone has set an illegal "fire" in the kitchen, then I do not consider my leaving the kitchen the right thing to do.