thewolfandthekodo asked: I have a question I've been 'pondering' for some time, but have not found anyone that i feel would take it seriously. ANYWAY, my question involves religion: Do you believe it is right (Or morally correct) for a religious person (Any religion) to speak aloud about their given religion whilst knowing that it may/will offend others of another belief? This mainly concerns public speaking/demonstrations/preaching and the likes. And do you believe it any better/worse to reply with your own preaching?
let me begin by saying that I don’t really think anything is ‘morally correct’ in an objective sense yet I don’t want to trivialize your question based on that because I do think it’s a valid and interesting one
this reminds me of a time when one of my brothers was staunchly evangelical and another was a militant atheist. it was funny to be because they were both using technically the same line of reasoning: X is objectively true, I can prove it, people who don’t believe X are wrong and are also ‘worse’ people for it.
I know that’s a digression slightly, but I guess I think it’s fine to speak publicly about one’s beliefs—whether they be religious or political or philosophical—so long as the audience is willing and aware of what they are about to be subjected to.
about the grey area: should people stand on the street during the gay pride parade and scream about how immoral homosexuality is? I’d like if they didn’t and I think that’s hateful and bigoted but most of those people don’t say it because they are trying to be antagonistic, they sincerely believe they are right. I sincerely believe I’m right about a lot of things that others don’t, and I want to be able to express those feelings. I think street corner yelling is rude and impolite no matter what the subject (and inappropriate if it’s posters with cut up babies, for example).
so I guess I feel torn about this issue. I think if we have any “objective” moral obligations it’s simply to be kind to those around us, understanding that if we don’t we may suffer consequences. judgment and prejudice and bigotry and attacking a person’s worldview violates that. but people should be able to say what they believe, I think, so long as people are not compelled to hear it.
