Originally Posted by idi banashapan (Post 36196990)

If gender is an opinion, does that mean others hold the right to disagree and not conform or humour the opinion on the holder?

Thsi isn't aimed solely at Russ by ther way - this is open to everyone to answer. I'm interested to see what others think here.

Originally Posted by Jaymoss (Post 36197019)

I can accept they feel how they feel but I refuse to "respect" their mental illness sorry

Originally Posted by Jaymoss (Post 36197021)

If I can accept how they all feel anyone else should accept how I feel too . I do not need my views to be respected. I do not like how being offended has become such a big deal. People should grow a pair (see what I did there)

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36197023)

Originally Posted by Maggy (Post 36197015)

Basically just mind your OWN business.

Originally Posted by Jaymoss (Post 36197024)

However I realise as a normal heterosexual male and white my opinion matters least in 2025

Originally Posted by Paul (Post 36197025)

The problem is many of them dont mind their *own* business, they try and force it on the rest of us.

Originally Posted by Jaymoss (Post 36197024)

However I realise as a normal heterosexual male and white my opinion matters least in 2025

Originally Posted by Itshim (Post 36197026)

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

:clap::clap:

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36197031)

Originally Posted by Russ (Post 36196992)

Nobody should be forced to have any opinion imposed on them

Originally Posted by Russ (Post 35762361)

Agreed. Unless someone can prove my way is wrong for my kids I'll carry on the way I know best.

Originally Posted by Maggy (Post 36197015)

I just want everyone's decision about their sexuality or leanings to be respected by everyone else and for them to be left alone about their choice. Basically just mind your OWN business.

Originally Posted by idi banashapan (Post 36197035)

This is a very welcomed change to the Russ of yester-year, who argued the opposite side of this debate when I tried to make the above point. Yes, it was regarding a different topic, but the principle remains the same, which is not forcing one's opinion on another.



Moving back to the topic...



Yes, but with important distinctions. Respecting a person doesn;t require agreeing with every belief they hold. It means treating them with dignity, listening without contempt, and engaging honestly.

That said, respect for people is not the same as submission to all ideas or compelled agreement.

Where should the boundaries be?

I believe respect is appropriate when:

• The individual shares their views without forcing them on others.
• There’s room for open discussion, including disagreement.
• They advocate for rights without infringing on others’ freedoms.

I also believe respect becomes problematic when:

• Disagreement is labelled as hate or as Russ quite rightly pointed out, bigotry.
• People are pressured into affirming beliefs they don’t share.
• Institutions enforce compelled speech or identity-based conformity.
• Questioning ideology is treated as moral failure.

That’s when respectful dialogue morphs into ideological enforcement and that’s not respect, that;s compliance under pressure or fear.

To go a step further, when does opinion cross into militant demand?

It crosses the line when it shifts from:

• “Please understand my expereince”

to:

• “You must affirm my belief or you’re morally wrong.”

This kind of demand uses guilt, shame, or power to extract agreement. It undermines open conversation and creates an environment of fear and silence rather than understanding.

We can (and should ) acknowledge people’s right to identify how they wish. But mutual respect means others have a right to disagree, to ask questions, and to draw reasonable lines, especially in law, medicine, education, and policy.

To sum it up:

• Respect the person by listening and treating them with dignity.
• Evaluate the belief like any other... on its merits.
• Reject the demand for forced agreement if it compromises truth, fairness, or free expression.

Disagreement is not harm. And respectful boundaries protect everyone’s right to be heard on all sides.

Originally Posted by Jaymoss (Post 36197024)

However I realise as a normal heterosexual male and white my opinion matters least in 2025