This comment is no shaychus to the previous shakla vetarya, but this topic is called respecting people, so may I ask what is the definition of respecting ppl? I’m sure there are different types of respect and different matzavim
Tam Mahu Omer, that question hits the nail on the head.
Do we respect any average person like we do a godol?
Do we respect the current President to President Reagan?
I think we respect people by their actions and choices.
I have less respect for people who hurt others than I do for animals as these peole have lowered themselves to a postition lower than animals because they have used their ability for bechira to hurt others. Animals who kill their prey do so because this is what Hashem programmed them to do. Humans have bechira in their actions.
Some people claim that some humans (this is different than sometimes humans don’t have a choice – I would categorize this as behira) don’t have the ability to choose. OTD in most cases, and all cases where one has settled into an OTD life, was because of their ability to choose a sinful life.
Some people feel they need to show MORE respect to OTD people because they might return one day.
Others, unfortunately frum people feel they RESPECT OTD’s CHOICES in life. Yes, they respect the fact that since they were ____ fill in the blank they made their choice to go OTD and we need to respect that.
We need to act respectful to OTD people but not accept their way of life as a legitimate choice nor respect their choice.