Because they want to be respected too.

I do - but not everyone's. Respect must be earned.

People are people, its a lot of give and take, many people with religious beliefs don't respect atheism and believe they're right and the others are wrong. it works both ways. +2

Well, I can't speak for all of us, but I know I have trouble respecting certain religious beliefs for a number of reasons. One of which is, they are rather silly. If I told you I believed in a unicorn who lived in the sky and spoke to me, telling me about the end of the world, and about which meat was not okay to eat, I'm guessing that you'd have a hard time respecting me as a person, especially if I insisted that my beliefs were correct, and should be taught to your children in school. - Another reason is that for me, respect is something which must be earned. I rarely find religions which are worthy of respect. Granted, some are, and there are lots of religious people who deserve respect, but again, it's hard to respect someone when all they do is tell you that you cannot marry the person you love, that you are, quote, a "fool" for holding your beliefs, and that you cannot be a patriot unless you are just like them. Respect begets respect, and I rarely see anything but disrespect. - Another reason is the constant assumptions regarding the beliefs of others. Example: Why can't atheists respect people's religious beliefs?, Atheist have no morals, Atheists are trying to convert your children, There are no atheists in foxholes, I bet that on your deathbed you'll recant, etc etc. It gets tiring. - So there we have it. I do try to respect the religious beliefs of others. I don't try to force what I believe on other people. If it comes up in conversation, I'll tell people what I believe, but I don't go door-knocking, or handing out pamphlets, or other irritating crap. I don't try and pass laws which would force my beliefs on others. I go to religious ceremonies when invited, I'm polite when I'm a guest in churches, I don't kick up a stink when religious people have technically illegal gatherings at my public school, I'm not rude when accosted by evangelists on the street... I think all in all, I'm as tolerant as I can possibly be. I usually only become seemingly 'intolerant' when confronted, when my rights are being seriously infringed upon, or when someone displays extreme stupidity and ignorance.

I respect everyone's RIGHT to their religious beliefs. That doesn't mean I have to respect the content of the beliefs themselves. I can give you examples off the top of my head in major religions that I will never respect. These things are not worthy of respect. Slavery, rape, sexual slavery (often called marriage, but it is forced, obligatory, and inescapable), misogynism, homophobia, bigotry, coerced belief/adherence, pedophilia... I don't respect the caste system of Hinduism, and I never will. I don't respect forcing women to roam around in a large bed sheet. I don't respect mutilating children's gentiles (either sex). I don't respect people's attempts to force others to live by their religious beliefs or codify it into law. That inherently disregards an individual's right to freedom of conscience/religion.

Why can't Christians? God created us as equals, in case you forgot.

Because they are rebels

I think your find atheists are much more respectful of other people religious views than religious people are.

It's a 2 way street..

Because folks use their religion to disrespect others.

for the same reason Christians cant respect an atheist's beliefs.

why must you generalize a whole group of people that way? i usually do respect people's beliefs, but if you ask me my opinion or you try to shove them down my throat, you're going to have one angry athiest. please try not to make such generalizations when you know not all of us go around disrespecting beliefs.

Probably because to many people told them they would burn in hell for their beliefs.

One of the religious beliefs, regardless the religion, is that if atheists don't accept to convert they should be sentenced to death. Even many religious people can't respect that belief.

thats why they r called atheist !!!!!! b'cos they wont and cant believe in religious beliefs :)

I find that most Atheists respect other people's religious beliefs. There are also a few religious people that do not respect other people's religious beliefs. Even so, there is too much disrespect on either side. With love in Christ.

I dont think atheists even care about other people's religious beliefs. They are too busy having fun seven days of the week.

I'll respect your beliefs as far as you respect my lack of them. Meaning - you keep your preaching to yourself, and so will I.

they do . ....when it hasen't , doesen't, and will not affect them . which is rare .

Well, seeing all the bullying that goes on in the US by the christians, I've little respect for them, yes. Not much for any religion from that stinking desert, to be honest. Mostly I keep mum about it, but then some damn christian will get under my skin with some stupid statement. . .oh, hell, I'd better stop.

I do respect people's right to their religious beliefs, but I have no respect for religion--NONE! We all are aware of the dreadful history of religion, and there's not one single element or aspect or deed in it that deserves any respect. "Belief" is nothing more than a deliberately suspension of dis-belief. It's an act of choice and not a state of grace, because without evidence there's really no reason to believe, apart from the willingness to believe. So why is that worthy of respect any more than sticking a fork on your dick? Any one who fills people's mind--particularly those of children--with image of a dreadfull effigy called "satan", and hell-fire, and a mood-swing god who would get angry at any given time and would throw your ass into an inferno for as much as j-walking, don't deserve any respect. Religion, if they could--and not for lack of trying--would regulate every action, words, and thoughts of every single person on this planet. Religion has done nothing to deserve any respect--let alone to demand it. And if it has to demand respect it deserves only to be mocked and ridiculed. If religion would had been worthy of any respect by definition it would have received it.

I agree completely.

I don't go out of my way to knock people's beliefs. I have some good conversations with religious people here on A and some good religious friends. But respect is a taller order. It's got to be mutual and earned. I, and I dare say even most devoutly religious people, wouldn't have any respect for someone running around saying, for instance, "Peter Pan will save your soul and lead you to bliss in Never Never Land". And anyone with such beliefs who promoted a camp for kids where they spoke in "Tinkerbell Tongues" and made wept because they were touched by him and all that - would probably be put in jail. And that's relatively harmless. When we get to Jihadists and people who want to pass laws forcing everyone to live by their religious precepts, or teach their mythology as science it gets much worse. The only difference between the above and traditional religions is long held habit - often called "tradition". And I don't see how that earns respect. +5

Most of us can.

I find it difficult to respect fairy tales that people insist are true. Why should I respect Mother Goose? I may or may not respect the person, but that has nothing to do with respecting the beliefs.

I have found that atheists do not thrust their religious beliefs upon anyone. Furthermore, they respect people's beliefs more than any other religious group out there. I think the question should be: Why do Christians feel the need to shove their religion down everybody's throat and belittle everyone because they think differently.

Jesus said they hate you,because they first hated me.You show people their true nature and their sin,they will dislike you.Jesus told people they couldn't live in their sins and look how much they hated Him.But Jesus has the final say.He is God,were mere human.Does not the Potter have control over the clay.Now watch the dr's come,the truth isn't liked.

What in your mind would you require of an atheist in order for them to be respectful? What do you consider to be disrespectful of people’s religions? Its difficult to answer when so many religions place the respect marker at so many differant levels, what is respect for a religion? For you at least?

I see a lot of people have answered that respect must be earned, but that misses the whole point of basic human respect. Or perhaps it is a convenient loophole for those who didn't really seek to respect another person's opinion in the first place. Only they know for sure. I do not presume to know. Then there's the other loophole that looks just like something from an elementary schoolyard: HE STARTED IT!! What is THAT all about?! The most basic right that EVERYONE has, regardless of where on this ball they were born, is the right to grow - OR NOT - as they see fit. We don't have to agree with their choices. Hell, we don't even have to like them! Nevertheless, we have the responsibility to maintain a healthy respect for EVERYONE'S religious beliefs. To believe or not to believe is every person's RIGHT. Getting nasty over it is inexcusable. Christians, are you listening? Atheists do not have a God, but we do. God has given us VERY SPECIFIC directives on how to handle these situations. When you refuse to follow those directives, you have failed in that moment. That is not to be taken lightly. Hail Marys and asking forgiveness do not make up for repeated, purposeful violations. +5

Are you serious?? Atheists might have a few bad apples but my kind has more (Christians) who judge everyone & their mother

oh religion religion who needs religion? You? Fine, so believe what you want. Just please don't go around insisting others believe the same. As an atheist I think this is what I dislike about religion. Otherwise, if you believe, so what?

Respect is something earned. Simple as that.

Why don't you respect theirs? In your crusade, do you ever say to someone, I am saved, but it is ok that you are not, I still respect you as a human?? Judging from your Q&A I think not, you probably either snub your nose at them or badger them until they want to stab you and they get completly turned off to your views. You ask for respect but won't give it...........