Opinions respecting a particular religion are still just opinions.

My thread title uses the word "respecting" as a preposition. With respect to that usage, I refer readers to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which reads, in part: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

Like many words in English, "to respect" has more than one meaning. It can mean treating an idea or person with deference or honor. It can also mean other things, when used as a part of speech other than a verb.

Respect, when used as a noun, or in gerund form from the verb, focuses on its root "spect," which means to look at or to see. "Inspect" uses that root, as well. So does "In retrospect," which means looking back in time. That definition and that usage of "respecting" have nothing to do with the "to hold in high regard" definition of the verb "to respect." "Spectacle" and "spectacles" are other examples of that root in use.

In the Constitution and in the title of this post, "respecting" has the meaning "with regard to" or "concerning." It is used as a preposition in the Constitution and in my thread title, with the object of that preposition being "an establishment of religion" or "a particular religion," respectively (looked at in that order). It has nothing to do with the other common definition of "respect."

The authors and sponsors of the Constitution used words very precisely, based on the commonly accepted definitions of those words at the time it was written. Today, the use of that preposition in that way and with that definition is rarely seen, really, except in some legal documents. More often, when a version of "respect" is used in that sense, "with respect to" is the more common expression.

"With respect to religion, I have no respect for religion, since I am an atheist." That sentence should make the distinction clear, I think. It could also be written, "Respecting religion, I have no respect for religion, since I am an atheist." In the 21st century, I would avoid the second example, because the word "respecting," used as a preposition, is often misunderstood. In the 18th century, it was clearly understood and in common use.

So, why bring this up? Because most religions rely on ancient texts as their scriptures. Those have been translated at various times and in various circumstances to make them more accessible to current readers. The English language includes many, many words that have multiple definitions. A translation from the original, multiple languages of the earliest versions of the Bible that dates back to 1611, for example, will use English as it was used at that time. We might understand many of its words differently, in today's usage. Even some ministers and pastors misunderstand biblical word usages at times.

Language is interesting, isn't it?