Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ
Nobody should be forced to have any opinion imposed on them
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ
Agreed. Unless someone can prove my way is wrong for my kids I'll carry on the way I know best.
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Moving back to the topic...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maggy
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.
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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.