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Originally Posted by tmesis2008  Now, you said that all beliefs should be respected by the government. "Respect" would mean that the ideas would be treated seriously. Okay. But now you say that when serious matters of policy are to be decided these beliefs are not to be "respected" at all, that we are to show no respect to astrology, and Scientology and Christianity etc. when matters are "serious".
This means that the state in fact does not "respect" these ideas at all, but disregards them when it matters. I get it now. You are talking about "respecting a person's right to have a belief" (up until the point that they are in government, apparently) and not "respect for the belief".
Now, if government ministers go to mass, and pray to God, and say that prayer is a good thing, and push forward the idea that prayer is good etc. bu then disregard "prayer" when matters are serious, then, of course, this is merely tokenism and not respect. If you really respected an idea you would, of course, hold that that idea is good in all situations. |
If you really respected an idea you would, of course, hold that that idea is good in all situations
What an unusual theory. Have you thought this through properly? Respecting an idea does not mean you should "hold it to be good in all situations" or include it as the basis of government policy.
One example of many: I respect the view that co-location is an answer to the lack of capacity in the health system. I dont agree with that view though. And if I were in Government it would not form part of my healthcare policy.
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Originally Posted by tmesis2008 You defined "respect" earlier as "allowing an ideas to be printed". This, of course, isn't "respect". It is free speech. Allowing someone to say something doesn't mean you respect what they say. Please acknowledge that in your next post. |
Yes, I gave a few examples of how a secular state might show its respect. I prefaced the examples with the phrase
for instance which usually means the list is non-exhaustive. But well done you spotted that one of the examples of respect might also be a matter of free speech. Try and engage with the substance rather than trying to score points....