When was it okay to look people in their face and say "I don't respect your beliefs"? It never was.
But does that automatically mean people respect one another's beliefs? Absolutely not.
Disrespect, as it seems, is not the thought but the expression.
It is okay to hate someone. It is okay to wish someone harm. It is okay to think and believe that someone else is worth less, worth nothing, or even worth getting rid of.
BUT IT IS NOT OKAY TO SPEAK IT!
Some questions that come to my mind when I hear those talking about disrespect of others' beliefs are:
Why do humans refer to everything in history by B.C./A.D. or Hijra?
Why do countries celebrate religious public holidays?
Why do several countries force citizens and expatriates to live by the laws of a specific religion, or derived mainly from one, which no man could ever appeal against?
What are honor killings and why do honor killers get reduced sentences in many societies?
Because people disrespect others' beliefs.
The fact that people in many places around the world still get persecuted and oppressed, lose their freedom and their lives just for thinking differently makes freedom of expression the holiest of holy concepts and beliefs. If we do not accept being told what to think, then we should not accept being told what to say. Being politically correct is a choice for each, being free to express is a right for all.
For the holy-sensitive: You are hypocrites if you ask others not to express their opinion of you, yet not care about what they think about you. If one of the two doesn't matter to you then you shouldn't care about the other. You ought to correct your critics' misconceptions. If it becomes bigotry, you could take legal, civilized action to restore your rights. Otherwise, you must accept even the unfairest of criticism.
peace
Nael Gharzeddine
