[mrSugar]

Try re-reading the post you replied to. The author does not want you to respect the cause for which he has taken the risk, but the fact that he felt strongly enough about it to put his life on the line for it. And yes, even suicide bombers deserve a bit of respect if they do their thing out of conviction, and not because they have been brainwashed about 72 virgins in next life.

[arkem]

How does one tell the difference between conviction and brainwashing? Or are religious convictions not real convictions?

[mbillie1]

> The author does not want you to respect the cause for which he has taken the risk, but the fact that he felt strongly enough about it to put his life on the line for it

Again, I fail to see how conviction is by itself worthy of respect. Surely it is only respectable if the content of the conviction is also respectable.

In other words: if I risk my life for something stupid or wrong or immoral or criminal, but I felt strongly enough about it to risk my life over it, are you obliged to respect my conviction, even though the content of my conviction was not respectable? I think having respect for the notion of conviction itself is utterly stupid. I would rather respect having the calmness and clarity of thought to act without the need for moral zeal.

[jdmichal]

> Surely it is only respectable if the content of the conviction is also respectable.

Point in case: Would we be having this discussion if Sunde went to jail for a strong conviction in believing that a given race is inherently and naturally inferior to his own? I would submit a vote of "not likely", because I doubt very many people would find themselves respecting his conviction, if that were the case.