> I don't think a dichotomy of options between respecting every fringe idea and civil war is all there is. Yes but extremism leads to either extremes. You don'

> I don't think a dichotomy of options between respecting every fringe idea and civil war is all there is. Yes but extremism leads to either extremes. You don't respect a belief because you agree with it, to take the classic atheist strawman of a "sphagetti monster" of course that is ridiculous but if people in my area all believe in that and elect such a believer then I better move or get busy trying to convince those people (my neighbors) otherwise. > We need institutions closer to the people... Can't agree with you more. The technology both for communication and transport exists to have many more legislative representatives and more frequent election cycles. > However I don't think they had a choice. Perhaps they wouldn't have an option to contradict the church at the time in public but they didn't have to display and document their piery and dedication to their fairh either. Many even believed their work was an extension of their faith not s contradiction of it. > That's not my intention, however if beliefs cannot be questioned there's a bigger problem at hand I was refering to actual insults not anything you said. You can question a persons beliefs if they are willing to have that discussion with you. But you shouldn't publicly mock them or insult them or their belief beyond a respectful discourse between willing participants.