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ReligionAndBeliefs 3 - 13 May 2010 - Main.JessicaHallett
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| | In one of my classes last week, someone asked “how do we tell the difference between religion and a regular belief?” This question gets to the heart of something I’ve thought about a lot – why do we accord special protection to beliefs we deem “religious” but not to other, secular beliefs?
As someone who is not religious, tends to be skeptical of religion in general, but also tries to remain open-minded, I find it frustrating when religious beliefs are given immunity or sanctity above other beliefs. I realize the importance of freedom to believe, and of having state-supported rights to associate based on belief, and of knowing that you will not be persecuted for religion. However, I think that having strictly “religious” freedom might be illogical and underinclusive. | | | I think that your point about criticism of religious beliefs is valid. It is certainly taboo in our culture to mock someone's faith, but there is nothing legally that prevents me from doing so. When someone criticizes another's religion that tends to lead to hurt feelings. As an atheist, I have certainly learned this lesson many times over. While this can be frustrating, it is certainly an understandable reaction.
-- JohnAlbanese - 17 Apr 2010 | |
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Hi John- I guess that my overstatement of "freedom of religion" comes from the way that I've been used to hearing about religious issues come up in the way we commonly talk about them. Maybe that speaks to the way the Constitution has been interpreted over the years, and the special place religion has in first amendment social and political discourse. Even if nothing mentions what constitutes religion in the Constitution itself, I think it's fair to say that some beliefs seem to be accorded a certain sanctity that others are not. That's my impression, at least. In any case, I of course understand why reactions to criticism of religion are extremely heated, passionate, and emotional, and hope I didn't suggest otherwise.
-- JessicaHallett - 13 May 2010 | | | |
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