2006-09-24 10:27:56 · 21 answers · asked by . 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's regarded as unacceptable to ridicule or condemn someone on the basis of ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability etc., because these are things that we do not choose and cannot change.
However, religious belief is something we adopt during life and can choose to change. Granted, it may be difficult or even dangerous to do so, but it is none the less true for that. So, why should it be necessary to refrain from criticising, ridiculing or condemning someone's ideas or beliefs when they might not even *have* those ideas or beliefs next week? Indeed, intellectual progress relies on the freedom to do so.
People deserve respect; Ideas and beliefs do not.
2006-09-24 10:56:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To John B: Yahoo! Answers is located in an American server so it doesn't really matter what's the law in the UK, American laws will apply.
It's unacceptable cuz by making a racist statement you're very likely to offend someone, while making a religious one no one will be offended. Respect the others' ethnicities and sub-cultures!
2006-09-24 17:35:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you are genuinely trying to find out other people's opinion on a religious issue, it is okay to ask. However, if you set out to attack other people's religions, then it is a different thing and would not be acceptable. As others have pointed out, making racist remarks are always unacceptable as you are showing disrespect for not just an individual but a whole race. It simply doesn't make sense to hate a whole race just because they have different skin colours or speak a language you don't understand. You wouldn't like people to say nasty things about people of your own race so why should others tolerate it when you are nasty to them?
2006-09-24 18:09:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I'm not sure that it *is* unacceptable for you to make a racist statement, at least in the USA - Bush has still not succeeded in doing away with the First Amendment. Now, if you were to make an inflammatory racist statement and to incite folks to burn and pillage as a result, you might have all sorts of criminal charges and civil suits against you. Which you yourself might find unacceptable. ;-)
2006-09-24 17:44:54 · answer #4 · answered by Ever Learn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A racist statement is attacking a sector of the population as they find it offensive. A religious statement does not do this.
An anti religious statement may offend however, although if this is just stating that you do not believe in god (or such like), im sure this would not offend. Religious people would just think you have not got the message.
2006-09-24 17:32:46 · answer #5 · answered by Peakey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No-one can choose their race and racism directly attacks an integral part of the person about which they can do nothing if they wanted to (and why should they?). Racism betrays ignorance, fear and insecurity.
Offending people's religion for the sake of it is childish, but challenging someone about their beliefs is on no level equivalent to racist remark. We choose, or choose to uphold, our religious beliefs. People change their religious beliefs all the time. We may wish to attack an element of their being but it is not the physical person we attack, as racism is - it is an ideology, like conservatism, feminism, atheism or a fondness for Beyonce. Ideas are there to be challenged. Our skin colour or ethnicity isn't.
2006-09-24 17:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean a statement prejudiced against religion? Personally, I don't think either is acceptable
BUT
I guess the reasoning could be something like
-People could be said to choose their religous faith, where as one has no choice in ones ethnic group. So disagreeing with somebodies religous persuasion is different to having a problem with ethnic groups.
2006-09-24 17:35:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A racist statement dosent do anyone any good, but in America I believe you can send it however you want say it, type it, or tattoo it on your a**!
2006-09-24 17:37:04 · answer #8 · answered by ChaosEmpire 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religeon and beliefs can be discussed as you can change your beliefs. How can you disagree with somebody's race? You cant't change anything, you can only be insulting, bigoted and racist. that is totally unacceptable in my book.
2006-09-24 17:35:23 · answer #9 · answered by price7204 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, are you really serious? Racist statement is offencive. religious statement has way for conversation.
2006-09-24 17:33:37 · answer #10 · answered by Everona97 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋