The Gadget Cult

[GoktimusPrime]

What if what they believe is wrong? I don't know enough about this particular sect, but how could a fictional character created less than 30 years ago, explain life/universe/etc and/or offer any sense of meta-physical eternal life?

Many religions (including Christianity) began as sects.

There may be no negative impact upon anyone else, but what if it is just wrong?

So what if it's wrong? Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddists, Hindus, Jainists, Zoroastrians, Flying Spaghetti Monsterists, Celestial Teapotists, Dragon In My Garagists, Invisible Pink Unicornists etc. could very well be wrong too, should we stop them from practising their religion?

Critical reasoning has and will always be part of what it means to be human. To say that we can't use this faculty when discussing religion neglects that it is part of our very human nature. Being critical is not the same as being intolerant. I would agree that it is unfair to laugh at another's religion, but fair criticism should be welcomed rather than avoided.

I'm not saying don't be critical, I'm saying don't unfairly bash these people for their spiritual beliefs. And really, nobody thus far has been really critical about this... a lot of people have just pointed and laughed at these people for worshipping a cartoon character, as if that's ANY more logical than worshipping a god from ancient scriptures/mythology. Having said that, religious discussion is discouraged from this board - and I'm not necessarily looking to open a religious debate, merely asking that people merely RESPECT the rights of these people to worship Gadget if they want, and not mock and ridicule them for their beliefs. We don't have to agree with their beliefs, but we can respect their right to hold those beliefs.

We often have in our minds that to be tolerant is to simply accept that all beliefs could be equally as true as our own. This view of tolerance simply asks us to accept all opinions that an individual may hold, with no judgement upon its validity. True tolerance (as I have come to understand it) is more about the ability to accept the individual - despite any misgivings, criticisms, or judgements you may hold about their religion/creed/job/politics/etc.

It is this view of tolerance that is promoted by the Declaration of Human Rights.




An example:

As a Christian, I believe that there are certain things wrong in a Muslim or Jewish doctrine of God and his character. As a Protestant Christian, I disagree with some Catholic doctrine. I also disagree with the Buddhist and the Hindu as to the nature of life after death. I disagree with the Atheist on pretty much any point raised in a discussion of "religious" matters.

BUT these differences of opinion do not lead me to think any less of the individual person themselves. Hopefully this can be seen in the way I have tried to respond both to the original article, and to your post, Gok.

As a Protestant Christian, you may disagree with someone who holds a different religious viewpoint from you, but you wouldn't go and mock and ridicule people who have different beliefs, right? And likewise I'm sure that you would not appreciate it if someone who held different beliefs from you decided to mock you for your beliefs.

I'm not asking for anyone to agree with these people's beliefs. Merely to refrain from making fun of them for having their beliefs. You're entitled to completely disagree with them all you like.