Unlike race, gender, sexual orientation or age, people have some ability to control which ideologies they will align themselves with (although the childhood brainwashing can make that extremely difficult, particularly if your country and family are monolithic.) I find it ethical to be prejudiced against those who believe a woman should be "kept in her place" by hitting her, and I find it ethical to be prejudiced against those who believe in a vicious god or gods.
Before you clap your hands over my discrimination against various Muslim denominations, be aware that I think Southern Baptists, Pentacostols and Southern Methodists are just as bad and deserve to be scorned.
If any Western religion is more decent than the others, it is obviously Judaism. They have traditionally been the victims of the other two. And Buddhism is the most decent of all.
2007-03-21 03:02:13 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Have you ever talked with Orthodox Jews? I tried "dating" one once and she pointed me to a website that explained in detail why it so horrible to date outside their religion. Judaism is just another isolationist "we're right, ergo you are wrong by default" theism. They may not blow people up, but the source of their beliefs are just as irrational as any religion is.
Your point about whether it is possible to discriminate against those characteristics which can be controlled and changed is well made though. The key difference is the type of hate involved. In order to validate changing something, a person must hate that thing to some small degree. If they loved it just the way it is, then they would have no reason to change it. The difference exists if there is a rational reason for the change and if the characteristic can actually be changed.
Rational hate stems from that which can be changed. The clothes a person wears, the type of car a person drives, the philosophies - including religion - they follow. These are things that can be changed. They are not objective fixtures in life.
Irrational hate comes from that which can not be changed. A person's gender orientation, their genetics, their skin color. These are things that can not be changed.
Rational hate that promotes rational change versus irrational hate that promotes true bigotry is the difference between those that seek change from irrational philosophers (the religious, the KKK) and the irrational philosophers who expect the social order to stagnate in their favor.
2007-03-21 04:01:06 · answer #1 · answered by Zenrage 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not religious, so I consider myself to be quite neutral in this catagory (religion). I also studied world religions greatly in college. Loved it and found it extremely entertaining. Naturally, being a woman, any religion that shuns a woman, or sets limitations upon her makes me cringe, but I also understand that some religions are that way, and its not my place nor my responsibility to change it. Now, with that being said....It is also my opinion that these religions should be kept where they were born and where they are accepted. If you come into my country and your religion offends me, YOU need to adapt! NOT me! Don't criticize me and others alike for having a poor opinion for muslims when it is muslims who murdered and are still attempting and plotting to murder non-muslim men, women, and babies! And I'll stop there, otherwise I'll just get angry at this point.
On a good note, Buddhism is a really cool religion.
2007-03-21 10:26:26 · answer #2 · answered by panthrchic 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your religion is a religion that seeks to impose upon others in our country, then your faith has crossed a line in our country. If your faith seeks to eliminate the structure of our country and eliminate our freedom as the militant islamist are, you have crossed a line.
Most religions and most muslims here in the US have the take of live and let live, so I don't think discrimination is justifiable.
2007-03-21 10:14:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
While I disagree with the teachings of some religions, I don't think that religion-based discrimination is fair or right. After all, a person shouldn't have his opportunities for education, employment, or other forms of advancement jeopardized simply because others find his religious views distasteful.
2007-03-21 10:13:05 · answer #4 · answered by tangerine 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
there's a difference between being anti domestic abuse and being anti muslim....
In my community there are many muslims none of whom beat their wives. In all of the families the wives work and only one wears a head scarf
also christians believe in a vicious god.. hello make a mistake and you are going to Hell? thats pretty viscous.. also Job and other stories...
but i agree Buddhism is the best
2007-03-21 10:08:12 · answer #5 · answered by hanntastic 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Only if they act on it in the workplace. If not, then you are just being discriminating based on a different characteristic than a physical one.
2007-03-21 10:07:32 · answer #6 · answered by mikehunt29 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow....... I think you were born about 300 years to late.
All I will tell you about your post is that it is NEVER acceptable to strike a woman to control her.
And Muslim Extremist are bad.
2007-03-21 10:07:15 · answer #7 · answered by Dog Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when a belief system permeates the society around you, it is a bit more difficult to not choose it than just being brainwashed.
2007-03-21 10:08:45 · answer #8 · answered by bluestareyed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting analysis.
2007-03-21 10:07:43 · answer #9 · answered by Charlooch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, you aren't prejudice .. so as long as you vocalize your discrimination in an appropriate way have at it.
2007-03-21 10:07:05 · answer #10 · answered by pip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋