Almost anything will earn you respect in someone's eyes. But only certain things will earn you respect in the eyes of those who are respected. It's that simple. So, true respect is not earned by harming oneself or breaking the law. The respect that derives from it is not true and lasting, because it must be reaffirmed. It is so important that some are respected and do this and more. However, the way to earn respect is to be respectful. Make it an attitude, not something given to a person after they have proven themselves. In this way, it cannot be demolished by anything other than respect. Respect is something that many people would do many things for. Some would die for it, others would endure endless pain and suffering if they thought others would respect them for it. This is seen in numerous gang rituals and the like, which include cutting, burning, or otherwise injuring oneself, simply to gain the respect of other gang members. To me this is ridiculous. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay If someone can't respect you for who you are, then it's not worth the time and effort it takes to earn their respect. Many people try to gain respect from others because they feel it is their religion to respect and be respected. Unfortunately, at least for Christians, this is not true. The Bible simply says to love and bring others to Christ. This doesn't mean earning the respect of others, but simply loving them even if they don't respect you. In the case of other people, there is a mix of importance placed on respect. Some people, like me, depend only on the freely given respect that is acquired through normal acts within one's general range of behavior, rather than going out of their way to impress or earn someone's respect. This is sometimes misinterpreted as not caring what others think of you, to the point that you may behave in an immoral, illegal, and/or unpleasant manner. For example, I have a friend who only cares about what many people would call the "lower" class of society thinks of her. Therefore, she is involved in disgusting, immoral, and often illegal acts that include violence, allowing others to contribute to her delinquency as a minor and other various forms of immorality and lawlessness. These acts are often self-destructive and painful to those who love her, namely her parents. By stooping to the standard of those from whom he feels he needs respect, he is taking that desire for respect all the way to hell. The world she lives in is hell for most people, but because of those who give her a version of respect, it cannot be seen as such. I say respect version because I have seen the "respect" given to her by her "friends". These people have no problem cheating on her for drugs, or for sex, or to hurt her parents because they think they have the right to. I have no right to truly judge, only He who sits above can do so, however, from my mortal perspective, it seems that these people don't know the meaning of respect. I don't see them respecting my friend, or each other, or anyone else. To me, respect means listening to someone's ideas, following the rules that have been established (e.g. the Ten Commandments, or the law), as well as knowing when to help someone or ask them if they need help. Respecting someone does not mean assuming they are invincible, because that is idolatry, but being their friend if they need it, being able to put aside small disagreements from the past, following their wishes if you have prayed and know it is in their best interest ,..