“Ridicule the beliefs, respect the person. There’s a difference.”
Some beliefs are very closely held by people. If a belief is ridiculed, the holder will feel ridiculed, too. The difference is easy to convey but impossible to enforce.
Methinks the lead admonishment was more a warning to the hearer than the speaker - as in there WILL be ridicule of the beliefs, take it gracefully.
Someone once said:
"If you can't stand the heat..."