There are some unthinking platitudes I hate. This is one: “I have enormous respect for people who have religious faith.”
Bollocks.
I have no respect for people who have religious faith.
I might respect faith-people if they are bright, or kind, or imaginative, but not just because they have faith. Being able to believe something without a reason is not a praiseworthy quality, okay? Faith is not a universal up-word, okay? Every moment of solace and every generous deed that faith has caused has been balanced and overturned by moments of agony and deeds of hatred, censorship and murder, all because of faith, because of believing a thing without a reason.
“I have enormous respect for people who hold pretty much unquestioning positions without or despite of proof and evidence. That’s kewl!“
Yeah, right.
* * *
PS. Imagine this conversation:
“God told me Martians used my genitals as a broccoli to broadcast lesbian meatloaf recipes to Vanuatu, so I cut them away and ate them with angels.”
“I have enormous respect for you!”
“It burns! Take it away!”
