Allowing people to believe whatever they want want to believe?

[zachj]

Of course, mostly, in society we do allow people to believe what they want but you know, not really. Like there is always a why? Why do you believe this or that? It's never just "ok". I think everyone should be allowed to just believe whatever they want, no matter what, no matter how ridiculous or stupid it is (though, I don't think everyone should be allowed to act however they want). Anyway, it's mainly because like, whether you believe in God(s) or not, it doesn't change reality, it doesn't make a difference to whether there is a God or not. I'm very much into scepticism so maybe that's why I think this way. But like if I were to believe that the grass is blue, you would surely tell me I'm wrong but so what? Why can't I go around thinking the grass is blue? Why is that so irritating for you? I don't see why we all need to be so serious and logical all the time, why can't we just live and let live?

Do you agree, disagree? Why, why not? How do you feel about this?:)

[Jess]

I have no problem with people believing in whatever they want to believe in. If you believe in the Invisible Pink Unicorn or something, fine with me. It's when people don't let others make their own choices as to what to believe in, or force (or try to) them to believe in something they don't want to believe in.

[Sir Suomi]

I see no problem in what others believe in. It's their choice what they want to believe in. For example, let's take Jess here. She's Pro-Abortion, and an Atheist. Do I agree with her? No. But will I order a manhunt and have her burned to the stake? No. She has the right to believe in what she wants to. It's our basic human right. So yes, people definetly be allowed to believe in what they want to believe in. It's what makes us unique :D

[Ryhanna]

As long as they aren't trying to force their beliefs on other people, then a person can believe in whatever they want to. That's how I feel.

[Lost in the Echo]

Well, I kinda agree with you.
The grass being blue is different though, because it's been PROVEN the grass is not blue.
Most of the things people have belief in, like religion, are things that haven't been proven, just a bunch of theories of what people think that happened.
Also, a way of life is a belief too, because you can't prove that there is a right or wrong way of life.
There are naturists/nudists, even some Native American tribes still around.

So yeah, most of the things that people believe in are things that haven't been proven.
Like I said, a certain way of life can't be proven to be wrong or right.
And most things in religion haven't been proven to be wrong or right.

So, most of the beliefs people have, are in things that haven't been proven.
Beliefs are usually in religion/theories, and ways of life.

As for when somebody asks "why" about someone's belief, I think that's just because that person wants to see why that other person believes what they do, and maybe gain knowledge from that person on that belief.

[Bluerhino666]

I have no problem with people believing in whatever they want to believe in. If you believe in the Invisible Pink Unicorn or something, fine with me. It's when people don't let others make their own choices as to what to believe in, or force (or try to) them to believe in something they don't want to believe in.

This is what I think too

[CharlieHorse]

Believe what you want, but remember, it is only believing, and the human mind is such a weak little thing.

[Gigablue]

I think people should be able to believe what they want, but I also think people should be able to ask them why thy believe. I draw the line when people start imposing their beliefs on others, if those beliefs aren't based on evidence. I also don't see the need to protect people's right to believe the demonstrably false, eg. that grass is blue.

[Alexwellace]

I think people can be allowed to believe what they like to an extent that it is a personal thing. For example the terrorists in the middle east believe girls arn't as good as boys and they arn't allowed to go to school/drive/vote, this is where i draw the line, when it effects others. But even then there are some exceptions. What if someone believed it to be ok tape kids naked for there personal use? It doesn't hurt anyone but it is wrong, even if you believe it right.

I hate how nothing in our world is black and white. *metaphorically*

[Human]

Personally, I think everyone should be able to believe in whatever as long as the government is secular

[Elysium]

I have a problem when people dispute proven or widely accepted facts. As for spiritual beliefs and opinions on social issues and other such things, I try to stay as tolerant and accepting of others' ideas as I can because there isn't a right or wrong - there is only what we think and what others think. I'd like to think I do a pretty good job of that.

[Sugaree]

Personally, I think everyone should be able to believe in whatever as long as the government is secular

There's a problem with that. A government can't be secular, because then it takes a side between secularism and theism. Government's role should be more of a moderator between the two, so saying the government should be secular is basically making a 2-on-1 wrestling match.

To answer OP: It is an inalienable right of all people to believe what they wish to believe. It is also an inalienable right of all people to proclaim their faith in the public if they so wish. However, this right must be taken away if a person or group of persons uses their beliefs to impede upon the personal lives of others who have no desire to believe the aforementioned. In other words, believe what you want, but do not push your beliefs onto others or cause some type of harm, mental or otherwise, upon others.

[DerBear]

My only issue is when they force beliefs upon each people who don't want to hear or believe in their beliefs.

[deadpie]

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/731/40677744810952192411467.jpg

WOW

[FreeFall]

Believe what you want, unless it's something that already has a proven truth that can be proven again. Then you'd just look silly.
But as long as that belief isn't being shoved around, who's it harm? So go ahead, why should anyone care?

[Human]

There's a problem with that. A government can't be secular, because then it takes a side between secularism and theism. Government's role should be more of a moderator between the two, so saying the government should be secular is basically making a 2-on-1 wrestling match.

To answer OP: It is an inalienable right of all people to believe what they wish to believe. It is also an inalienable right of all people to proclaim their faith in the public if they so wish. However, this right must be taken away if a person or group of persons uses their beliefs to impede upon the personal lives of others who have no desire to believe the aforementioned. In other words, believe what you want, but do not push your beliefs onto others or cause some type of harm, mental or otherwise, upon others.

fair enough. i think it should just keep out of all affairs religion related to be honest.
there's obviously a difference with evolution and religion as evolution is essentially a scientific fact so the government should take some stances towards secularism