So, tell me again why Faith deserves automatic respect?

[LazyGun]

Just got through reading this article in "The Independent."

http://www.independen...tremists-1810447.html

It seems that all fundamentalist sects of whatever religious flavour are, at their heart, violent, repressive, ill educated,superstitious mysogynists attempting to impose their outdated worldview on the rest of the us, mostly it seems, by the most spectacularly violent means possible. We should never, ever compromise our freedoms of thought,speech or attire to these morons.

[beso]

Faith does not deserve respect. Religion is a blight on humanity.

Not only is it primitive and amoral philosophy, the proponents are actively looking forward to the destruction of humanity when they believe their particular brand of nonsense will prevail.

Religious people should not hold public office and should not be involved in decisions about morality and the direction taken by humanity. They will not contemplate any possibility beyond their dogma and consequently have no place in sensible debate.

[Seadragon]

It's abit sad really because I think faith is supposed to be 'all good' and yet it isn't. Religion is man interpreted and man himself is so flawed, thus religion is flawed.

[mibn2cweus]

Faith is about believing for the sake of believing without regard for or in defiance of what is real. What is good can only be measured in relationship to ones knowledge of what is real and can only be defined in the context of ones understanding of how and why. Faith, your ‘supposed’ shortcut to understanding invariably leads to a blind ally where ones only genuine path to understanding, reason, no longer applies.
Faith is abilities murderous brother.

Most religions interpret humankind as not simply flawed but as a terminally failed species. Religion defines our past as the inescapable end rather as a resource of knowledge to define and plot a new beginning. Experience is the illuminator of progress. Religion devoures our each and every hope for progress in the blinding light of a standard of perfection which can neither be obtained nor exists to be realised. Religion is the assassin of the human spirit drawing the line of progress, not at our feet but completely out of our grasp, far above our heads and minds, hopelessly beyond our reach.

It is not humanity which is fatally flawed, it is your philosophy, the impossible standard you set for yourself and by which you measure your own as well as the success of others. Humanity is amongst natures greatest potential achievements. It is your inclusion and definition of the worst among us as the norm which blinds you to this reality. It is those amongst us who seek to realise the potential nature has provided us which are the only hope for our species as a whole. Won’t you join us? :o)

[naomi24]

I don't believe faith deserves respect - automatic or otherwise. Religion in any flavour is repressive and controlling, but it appears that Islam in particular is receding into an ever more uncivilised mindset. The article mentions the use of western women's bodies in commercial advertising, and prostitutes in Amsterdam displaying their bodies, but it fails to acknowledge that western women have freedom of choice. Somalis do not. The women are forced to shake their breasts in order to prove they are not wearing a bra? How disgustingly gross! If anyone can even attempt to defend that, then I would suggest there is something seriously wrong with them.