The battle for respect: Theistic vs Atheistic

[Confused]

I have read many posts about how the atheist should respect the theists beliefs and not degrade or insult their God in their presence. For example, say you go to the Catholic sponsored carnival, not because you believe in God, but because the proceeds are being donated to the local womens/childrens "safe haven" from battered spouses. While at this carnival, should you be considered "wrong" if you make blanket curses, taking the Lords name in vain, or if you publicly denounce God? On the other side of the spectrum, say you go to a fund raiser being sponsored by the local chapter of Universal Unitarian Foundation in which all sides of the "belief and lack thereof" are represented. Would you be considered "wrong" if you started preaching the truth of God in the presence of a group of atheists?

The question for debate should be clear from the above, but to narrow it down, what is open for debate here:
1) Is it considered disrespectful if an atheist makes comments such as "G#d D#*n it" in a public setting? If so, why?
2) Which side trumps the other? Is it any worse if an atheist makes comments against God or takes His name in vain than if a theist says a prayer in public or thanks God in public?
3) Does either side deserve preferential treatment in regards to respect for their belief?

[Beto]

Are you sure it wasn't just your voice can't carry a tune??? LOL. I am just playing here, don't take it serious please.

Busted...

Most would kneel, cross, etc.... because they feel it would be disrespectful not to.

That's not too bad either, of course. But many of these might be trying to "pass off" as Christians, without even having read the Bible, deceiving themselves and those around them. Just to "mingle" and "conform". This is what I can't condone.

[Beto]

I'd say I behave like this out of self respect, not respecting others.

One begets the other, I think.

“If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky

[Chancellor]

The question for debate should be clear from the above, but to narrow it down, what is open for debate here:
1) Is it considered disrespectful if an atheist makes comments such as "G#d D#*n it" in a public setting? If so, why?

Yes, it's disrespectful but regardless of whether it's an atheist who says it. People who feel the need to pepper their speech with vulgarities and expletives are uncivilized neanderthals whose very presence is an offense to civilized people.

2) Which side trumps the other? Is it any worse if an atheist makes comments against God or takes His name in vain than if a theist says a prayer in public or thanks God in public?

See above regarding the use of vulgarities and expletives. There is no right to freedom from religion but there is an absolute right to the free exercise of religion.

3) Does either side deserve preferential treatment in regards to respect for their belief?

The general public should be spared being exposed to the uncivilized, uncouth people who insist on peppering their speech with vulgarities and expletives.

[Beto]

There is no right to freedom from religion...

Despite you saying it, I claim that right for myself. It exists whether you like it or not. Same thing you say about your God.

[Furrowed Brow]

People who feel the need to pepper their speech with vulgarities and expletives are uncivilized neanderthals whose very presence is an offense to civilized people.

The general public should be spared being exposed to the uncivilized, uncouth people who insist on peppering their speech with vulgarities and expletives.

Ah..this puts me in a position. On the one hand I liked to think I keep it civilised within this forum. On the other hand out there in the real world, and especially at work, every fifth word is an expletive. Why do I do it? Habit probably. Also swearing is a norm for the spectrum of society I live and work with. In fact I’d say that spectrum make up a large percentage of the general public. Bad language does seem to be something of a modern meme over here in the UK. No excuses though.

Neanderthal’s did seem to inhabit mostly north Western Europe. Maybe we all haven’t died out yet .

[Vladd44]

Yes, it's disrespectful but regardless of whether it's an atheist who says it. People who feel the need to pepper their speech with vulgarities and expletives are uncivilized neanderthals whose very presence is an offense to civilized people

See above regarding the use of vulgarities and expletives. There is no right to freedom from religion but there is an absolute right to the free exercise of religion.

I am relatively certain there is no right to freedom from foul language. I do make an effort not to unleash certain foulness in specific environments, but there are others in which a free range of euphemisms and colorful metaphors are the norm.

If people choose to talk about something as foul as religion in front of me, they should expect the same freedom from restraint from me. Whether it is a line of reasoning from a perspective they find distasteful or an outright attempt to offend would be more dependent on the stridency of their original foulness regarding god.

Personally I have never heard anything so foul as a Preacher giving false hope to parents of dying children. Perhaps my use of analogies that question lineage or suggest particular ways orifices of Jesus were used could define me as a neanderthal. But I will take that charge any day over being a charlatan.

[Assent]

Believing that another person is wrong is inherently disrespectful. There's no good way to say "All that you believe and hold dear is incorrect." Polite society demands only that such confrontational statements remain unstated.

Most people rationalize this away as "Oh, he doesn't know what he's saying," or "He is so clearly mistaken, I don't have to deal with him," and are able to carry on a relationship with the person in question so long as the topic is not brought up.

The only way to avoid this is if your belief is that everyone may be or is correct. That way, no one's stated belief is wrong.

[Sciwoman]

Greeting
Hypothetically:Take one of each person up on top of a really tall building say 50 + story high.Put a microphone on each person and then push each one off at the same time.And see if both don't just start calling out to God.
note there was a camouflaged net they couldn't see at the bottom so as to make the experience genuine.
When put to the test deep down all believes in a higher power.Perhaps an rock could qualify as an Atheist in the truest sense of the word but definitely not a living being. God bless.So be it!

I know this is going back in the thread a ways, but bear with me.

Led by the spirit, I have not been pushed off the top of a building, but I have experienced trauma in my life since I became an atheist - the worst of which was finding my brother's body several hours after he had killed himself. At no time have I felt the need to call on some being that is as likely to exist as an elf or a mermaid. If I have a problem or event happen in my life that I cannot handle on my own, I call on my family and friends - people I can see and hear and who can actually do something, rather than crying out to some imaginary thing who's "help" will only be silence.

The question for debate should be clear from the above, but to narrow it down, what is open for debate here:
1) Is it considered disrespectful if an atheist makes comments such as "G#d D#*n it" in a public setting? If so, why?
2) Which side trumps the other? Is it any worse if an atheist makes comments against God or takes His name in vain than if a theist says a prayer in public or thanks God in public?
3) Does either side deserve preferential treatment in regards to respect for their belief?

1) Depends on the context. In public, it's generally considered rude behavior to curse, no matter what word or words you use. If I was at a place, such as the church carnival, I would refrain from using such language anyway, because I would consider myself a guest.

2) Neither side trumps the other, but since it is so likely to cause strife, it is best to leave such at home or in the context of religious services. Just where I work, we have hindus, wiccans, several types of christian, agnostics and at least one atheist (me). Public prayer to the christian god has too much potential to be divisive.

3) No one side deserves preferential treatment. But, as I noted above, with most places becoming more multi-cultural, it is best to leave religion at home or in the churches, temples, and synagoges.

[Darren]

Yes, it's disrespectful but regardless of whether it's an atheist who says it. People who feel the need to pepper their speech with vulgarities and expletives are uncivilized neanderthals whose very presence is an offense to civilized people.

Wow ! You really just insulted everyone who swears, do you realize that? You are being really bigoted here, too. Some of that language is cultural.
Why not repeat this to the soldiers who fight for your freedom, the firefighters and EMT's who protect your life and property and the tradesmen who built the places you live and work.
If their language is offensive, be really offended and stop using their services.
How about the people who created and maintain the internet? Lots of swearing in those circles, too. I assure you.
In my opinion, this is a classic example of a time when swearing at someone is very appropriate.
Freedom of expression Chancellor. Some nations have been doing rather well with it. You may want to give it a try.

[Beto]

Yes, it's disrespectful but regardless of whether it's an atheist who says it. People who feel the need to pepper their speech with vulgarities and expletives are uncivilized neanderthals whose very presence is an offense to civilized people.

I'd like to, but I won't reiterate what Darren said. You and all the other civilized people here will just have to cope with neanderthals like me being around. I swear a great deal within my circle of friends, or in my thoughts. It's people like you that give swearing its great liberating feeling, so thanks.