[Joker_in_the_Pack]

The title is irrelevant to the rant in every way except that it contains the word rant.
A lot of this has been going around. Mindlessly regurgitated sentiments such as, "that's your opinion", "respect other people's beliefs", "to each their own" and so on. While this is fine sentiment when concerning hair colors or which band you like more, certain beliefs are not equal. You can not, do not, and by all means should not respect anyone's beliefs simply out of the virtue of them being beliefs. If I believed the entire world was nothing more than a sesame seed on a hamburger bun about to be eaten by some unimaginably large creature, that belief deserves no respect. It's based on nothing but speculation and, more likely, hallucination. Not all beliefs have merit. People have the right to a belief, and their right to a belief should be respected, and by respected, note that I mean uninhibited. It does not mean that you need to respect the idiotic belief or the dimwit who believes it. Just acknowledge that he has the right to be an idiot. A belief should be logically and analytically examined for its merit, its principles, its basis, and its goals, then judged and respected accordingly.

The final item in the list of sentiments I made was the idiotic and empty retort, "that's your opinion". Three reasons this is mindless. Firstly, of course it is my fucking opinion, I'm the person talking. Secondly, that statement in no way proves me wrong or anything I've said wrong. Actually, it doesn't prove anything, it's an empty phrase. Thirdly, not everything you call an opinion is an opinion, just like not everything you say is ironic is actually ironic. If you claim something, whether it be that Metallica are a bunch of sell outs, or that there is actually a god, you are making a claim. You can easily argue against a claim. Claims require a basis. If you claim that band X are terrible, that's a claim. You have to justify it or your claim is rubbish. It's not untouchable because it's an opinion. If you said, " I dislike band x" that's a preference, which is untouchable, since taste can sometimes be subconscious and isn't claiming anything. So if you claim something, and then someone completely rips your claim to shreds, don't cry and say it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. If you make a bullshit claim, prepare to defend it, or shut up.