Originally Posted by
NameCoin
I think that we pretty much agree on everything except the point above.
Barring "discussions" involving personal insults, physical threats, etc..., I don't see the difference between exchanging ideas regarding religion versus ideas regarding, say, science or academia.
First, "exchange," involves mutuality and reciprocity. I have absolutely zero interest in hearing why you think your religious beliefs are right and mine (which you don't even know) are wrong. If I want to know your thoughts on religion I'll ask. Don't worry, though -- I won't be asking.
There are contexts in which discussing religious belief is completely appropriate. When I was in India, I asked my Hindu guide if he could to tell me why Ganeesh has the head of an elephant. That discussion led into a broader discussion about Hindu belief, which was fascinating. I've had similar discussions with priests and nuns when visiting the great catherdrals of Europe. There is, however, a world of difference between this, and someone who feels compelled to "share the good news" with me, whether I want to or not.
Why is it perfectly fine to discuss (and advance) theories on the orbit of planets but offensive and disrespectful to discuss (and advance) the possible existence of divine spaghetti?
Because science is objective and religion is not. Because science is verifiable and religion is not. Because science doesn't have "sides" and is not a matter of "belief." If you tell me that planetary orbits are elliptical, contrary to my contention that they are round, your are right and I am wrong, and that can be demonstrated objectively. On the other hand if you tell me that your version of an invisible man in the sky is right and mine is wrong, there is no objectivity involved, our respective beliefs don't matter one iota, and your "correction" of my "error" is insulting.
Both topics involve ideas that have a well-defined truth value (i.e. true or false, or if you wish, right or wrong) and concern the human understanding of reality. In the former case, people had a lot of wrong ideas about how the planets moved, but in the end, they had to write it off and try to look for the correct description. Restricting discussion about it (either through authority or plain complacency) only stagnated the area.
Religion has no truth value whatsoever. You can't prove your beliefs are true any more than I can prove their false. So just keep them to yourself, because I have no interest in someone who is so arrogant as to insist that I abandon my beliefs about the unknowable for their beliefs about the unknowable. Belief is the antithesis of knowledge; religious belief is the antithesis of fact.
You can pray, or wear special clothes, or say special words, or do whatever you want in the expression of your religious beliefs. If I want to know why you're doing this, I'll ask. Do not have the temerity to approach me and tell me why I should pray, or wear special clothes, or say special words.