Reply #33: But my point is

[Goblinmonger]

why does it have to go both ways? Why is there the assumption that is sought on my part. I know many atheists who aren't asking for any such "respect" that many theists ask for on here. If anything, the "respect" that is being asked for is the ability to just be able to talk about it. If we're not asking for it, do we need to give it? And if so, why? I know I'm sounding like an ass here, but these are real questions.

I'm sure you do respect my right to not believe. I appreciate that. I really do. I respect your right to believe whatever you want as well. But that doesn't mean that if you come on a public board and state your opinions, that I (or anyone else) is not within their rights to call bullshit on those beliefs. I'm not telling you that you CAN'T believe, just that the belief is bogus to me for whatever reason. Saying that believing in god is the same thing as believing in pink unicorns DOES NOT mean that you can't believe that. I would still respect your right to believe it and would go tooth and nail to support your right to believe it as defined by the constitution. I could do all of that and still think you are cracked (and I am saying "you" in a general sense and not "you" specifically because I honestly can't recall knowing what your beliefs are at the moment).