I have reached the point where if one more politician, celebrity, police spokesman or journalist burbles on about respect, I shall scream and hurl things. Nobody deserves respect unless they have earned it. Everybody deserves courtesy. I refuse to respect religious beliefs, although I acknowledge the rights of those who have them to practise their religion as long as it does not involve harm or interference to others. I would, however, respect a person whose religious beliefs have led them to acts of kindness, charity, generosity, sacrifice, etc. I also believe that courtesy should prevent me from being gratuitously offensive about their beliefs. How can you demand respect just because you are old? It's not an achievement, just years. Respect should be reserved for wisdom, help, kindness, things done. It's become such an overworked word and is beginning to lose any real meaning.
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