There is indeed a difference between actual oppression and mere snarky disrespect. However...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

....I hope when it comes to one's personal beliefs (or lack thereof) we can all believe that both are contemptable behavior and should not be welcomed as being liberal and/or progressive acts. Can we agree on that?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. With one large caveat, yes.

Respect cannot be given to personal beliefs that seek to abridge the rights of others or in cases where those beliefs are vociferously used to damn others to a fiery afterlife.

Examples:
I will not respect someone's personal beliefs if they are such that they would deny another the right to marry.
I will not respect someone's personal beliefs if they tell me I'm going to burn in hell because I believe women have the right to do what they want with their bodies.

[MineralMan]

2. No respect for belief that women should be subservient.

No respect for belief that non-Christians are not true Americans.

[stray cat]

3. That sounds like a true progressive agenda -

and one sadly absent from too much discourse. I get discouraged when DU becomes a mirror image for free republic - united in self-rightous hatred against their respective perceived enemies.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. There is always the option to be polite

even in the face of bigotry and hatred. Why be polite? Because you show respect for yourself by being so.

[Joe Fields]

5. depends on the circumstances.

[Javaman]

6. Nice Post, Hitler! nt

[damntexdem]

7. No, I reserve the right to publicly disrespect public expressions of personal beliefs.

The only questions involve whether such expression is appropriate, likely to be effective, may be counterproductive, and so on, in the specific case.

[Fumesucker]

8. The problem is that when a lot of us express our personal beliefs

It comes across to others as snarky disrespect of their own beliefs.

A relative of mine is a very strong "Christian", she absolutely will not accept that, in my opinion, an omnipotent, omniscient god leaves no room for free will. My belief in that regard comes across to her as disrespectful of her beliefs no matter how gently or tactfully I try to make the point.

It wouldn't be a problem except for the fact she cannot talk about any subject for more than a few seconds without bringing her own religious beliefs into the conversation, since she is a very forceful personality I then end up feeling pushed into disagreeing with what is in my mind sheer irrationality on her part. I can talk about any number of subjects interminably without feeling the need to bring my own opinions on religion into the conversation but when I feel like I'm being attacked on my beliefs it's very difficult to keep quiet.

[valerief]

9. I don't respect anything I heartily disagree with. Can't. Doesn't make sense to me. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. Note I'm NOT saying that you can't criticize another person's beliefs...

...if you truly think that person's beliefs are worthy of criticism.

What I'm referring to are childish, mocking and belittling comments of that belief. That's different than actual criticism.