Why is it not socially acceptable to be racist, but it is socially acceptable to be religious?

Question

The latter is by far the more hateful and harmful

Answer 1

This is a very good question. There are many similarities between being racist and being really religion. A racist believes that he or she is better than somebody else because of their ethnicity or the color of their skin. Someone who is religious believes that they are better than those who do not believe in their religion. People have done terrible things in both the name of racism and religion. It is interesting that in America many places (jobs, schools) deem that one is not supposed to be discriminated by, race, creed, religion, ethnicity, etc. If religion was really as benign as most would believe I don't think it would be on that list of discriminatory actions. At one time racism was socially acceptable, so sooner or later the dangers of religious fervor will be looked at more closely. It will probably be sooner with the state of the world at the moment.

Answer 2

You raise an interesting point that I don't think I've thought of before. It seems that almost all wars, genocide, etc., are religion-based rather than race-based. I seldom see Whites massacre Blacks or vice versa. But I constantly see massacres done in the name of religion.

[On second thought, it does seem that more positive social movements and charitable causes are based on religion than on race. For example, I don't think you'll see racist organizations rush to help impoverished people or victims of disasters, but religious organizations do. It really seems to be a matter of deciding whether the cup is half empty or half full.]

Answer 3

Basically, because while there have been numerous religious figures throughout history (Gandhi, Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama come to mind) who have done things that have contributed to humanity, there has never been a racist whose racism has had a beneficial influence on mankind. True, religion can instigate negative behavior such as the actions of suicide bombers, but its effect on the vast majority of believers is probably on balance positive in terms of society.

Answer 4

Why is it socially acceptable for Rosie Odonnell to bash Christians but not Muslims, or a different race?

Why is it socially acceptable for NBC to show Madonna mocking a crusifiction but not socially acceptable for them to show the cartoons of mohammed that caused a stir around the world?

As far as my workplace & school is concerned, it's not socially acceptable to be religious either.

Answer 5

I'm with you on that one.
Having pride in who your people are and what they did is a gift from the ancestors and it should be cherished. Hating other cultures is just lame. Religious people are dangerous because they put something else before their love of mankind.

Answer 6

There are actually a great number of religious people with good values and ethics. It's only the ones who wield their "faith" like a weapon to intimidate and manipulate others that is really shameful. They will always be around. I consider myself a spiritual Christian, but not a fan of organized religion.

Answer 7

Because Religious, make people better. Racist just make people hate each other. Most of the religion dont allow Violent and Hate. Most of the religion teach Love, Kindness and Forgiveness that make people better.

Answer 8

A racist hates people,and they don't hide it.A religious person should not hate anyone. And I said, should not, because a lot of religious people are hateful but hide behind their religion.

Answer 9

racism is hatred towards a particular tribe or group but religion is supposed to be a tool for peace to be preached, but a few people twist religion inorder to suit their selfish wicked desires to inflict pain and suffering to others and then hide under the umbrella of religion

Answer 10

No its not, my gran is religious and she wouldn't hurt a fly. Any religious group who is hateful and harmful will no doubt be racist too.