Is Religious Belief Justification for Prejudice?

[Donkey]

So I have a question to discuss here that I often find myself wondering about.

Is religious belief in itself a justification for prejudice such as homophobia? If someone has been taught to believe something is wrong, and it is their belief that they are going against the natural order or what have you, is it OK for them to be prejudice against those people? If they believe they should, is it OK for them to try to stop them being homosexuals?

I will share my opinion after a few posts...

[Iris]

Beliefs can be wrong. Simply because you have grown up believing something doesn't make it right, doesn't make it justifiable. In Nazi Germany the children were brainwashed into believing the Nazi doctrines; that wouldn't make it ok for them to decide that non-Aryans are inferior to them and spread that prejudice. It may make it easier for others to understand why anyone would believe something that seems clearly absurd, but that in no way makes it ok. I don't see how religious beliefs are any exception.

Also, what we are raised to believe only extends so far; in the end we're all individuals. We can make our own choices and decisions no matter how powerful the outside influences. Being told something over and over is definitely a strong factor in our views and attitudes towards certain matters, but ultimately we decide how we feel about things, through our own research and experience.

So no, religious belief is not a justification for prejudice.

[Genghis Khan]

Come on Jon :P I'd have thought your threads would've been a bit less clichè and interesting.

Obviously, my take on this is no. But, to me at least, I find it very difficult to draw the line where something personal and non-factual is a good justification. For example, past experiences of being tortured, beaten up, raped by a group of people belonging to a particular ethnic group, then going around blaming that group for all the problems in the world and using that sample as a generalisation for all of those people.

I suppose I'd go as far as saying it's understandable, not justifiable. But even then my stance on this fluctuates from time to time.

So for the question 'Is it justifiable?' I'd say does it really matter? They'd hold it anyway. Essentially I sometimes just think who am I to say what a good justification would be on personal grounds when I myself can't draw a definite line.

As far as your second question goes, I think imposing your own psychology on others should definitely be discouraged. See, the whole reason why I'm mostly against this stance is because religious reasons, are usually (if not always) anecdotal reasons. Things that you don't have a good reason to believe in, should remain personal unless otherwise asked, otherwise you'll just be wasting people's time.

I know I'm ranting and probably being incoherent but, it's really difficult to put into words what I believe regarding this topic. Maybe I'll get some coffee and edit my post later. But to conclude so far, I personally don't think anecdotal reasons are a good justification to judge an entire group of people, or even an act.

[trooneh]

I don't believe that it is. That is a quick slippery slope to what the southern United States was like during the Jim Crow days, where you could deny African Americans coverage and claim that being your business, you can do what you like. There is one exception to this though: a religious organization has the right to employ or allow in who they want. However, beyond that, religion is no justification for public discrimination or prejudice against anyone.

[Jupiter]

I think that it is just religious. Everyone interprets it a different way, unfortunately.

[Cicero]

So I have a question to discuss here that I often find myself wondering about.

Is religious belief in itself a justification for prejudice such as homophobia? If someone has been taught to believe something is wrong, and it is their belief that they are going against the natural order or what have you, is it OK for them to be prejudice against those people? If they believe they should, is it OK for them to try to stop them being homosexuals?

I will share my opinion after a few posts...

In my religion we should accept everyone for who they are. But some people have stronger beliefs than others, some Catholics may belief that homosexuality is completely against god. While others believe that we should accept everyone for who they are. I'm ok with homosexuality. So is my grandmother and my parents. But I have friends at school say its wrong.

Some people stick to their beliefs and are hardcore with the,. Whereas I believe that we should accept everyone for who they are. Although I have a few opinions about other stuff that the catholic religion is fine with. Ultimately it depends from person to person. Before I came on here I wouldn't be ok with homosexuality, but after I came on here it helped open my eyes and I'm completely fine with it.

Edit:
Also I believe that if Christians were more like Alice cooper Christians would be better (yea he turned Christian). Because he says that he'll let god do the judging, we as humans have no right to judge others. But some people do judge, I'm not gonna say its wrong or right.

But like when I go to a gourmet restaurant and someone is talking loud as hell and wearing not so nice clothing and having bad manners I'll think. Man this is the wrong place for them.

[Jupiter]

actually, after thinking about it.. it's not the religion. it's how it is portrayed by the religion-er

[Jess]

no. you can be religious, but that doesn't excuse you from treating others badly. and you can be religious and accept people for who they are.

[Jupiter]

no. you can be religious, but that doesn't excuse you from treating others badly. and you can be religious and accept people for who they are.

And people who aren't religious can also be great people. In fact, lots of people are good, regardless of what religion they believe in, or even IF they believe in one.

[antiabort]

honestly, what is so bad about being racist/homophobic/sexist/whatever? It's a free country, isn't it? (inb4 antiabort is a racist evil bigot, Racism and stuff just doesn't bother me like it does other people.)

[Donkey]

honestly, what is so bad about being racist/homophobic/sexist/whatever? It's a free country, isn't it? (inb4 antiabort is a racist evil bigot, Racism and stuff just doesn't bother me like it does other people.)
Probably cause you are male, white, and straight (I assume), you will not be the target of any of those things usually.

[TheMatrix]

Well of course not, your beliefs are never a justification for any wrong-doing. Otherwise, I will start a new faith called Thomasn-inism, in which I can kill and insult people as I wish. That, as anyone can (hopefully) imagine, will never work.

[Donkey]

Well of course not, your beliefs are never a justification for any wrong-doing. Otherwise, I will start a new faith called Thomasn-inism, in which I can kill and insult people as I wish. That, as anyone can (hopefully) imagine, will never work.
It's not your innate belief that it is right to kill people though, or not what you have been taught. We are talking about people who think there is a higher power who disapproves of homosexuals. And prejudice doesn't necessarily relate to action, anyway. You can be a homophobe without actually doing anything.

[Craig1995]

honestly, what is so bad about being racist/homophobic/sexist/whatever? It's a free country, isn't it? (inb4 antiabort is a racist evil bigot, Racism and stuff just doesn't bother me like it does other people.)


A prejudice, racist, homophobic man grew to power because his beliefs had become widely agreed with by the public, this led to the destruction genocide and murder of millions of people because they were who the were -"different"- what is wrong with racism/ homophobia/ sexism whatever?? These beliefs are very dangerous beliefs with if allowed to thrive will allow more little hitlers to bud. That's why.

[TaylorVauhgn]

What we all have to realize here is that everyone is raised differently and may have different beliefs. Just because you believe something, doesn't mean it's universally right. To be truely open-minded you have to accept that others will have different beliefs than you and be okay with it.

I may get crap for this, but I don't support gays. I am a bit homophobic, but that's because that idea just doesn't sit well with me. That doesn't stop any of you from believing other wise. I'm not going to sit here and try to convert you to anti-gay because that would be pointless. You have your beliefs which I accept. I have my beliefs which I hope you accept. That's how to be 100% open-minded.

As for the question, no it's not okay to prejudice (assuming you mean prejudice as in unfair or discriminary treatment towards a certain group). I may not support gays, but I won't discriminate. I will go on with my life. I hope you all do too.

[Moxie]

I think that everyone is entitled to their own bias, and that someone's true feelings and beliefs are not things that should be shunned due to their being deemed "inappropriate". Who are we to state what is right or wrong?

[Cicero]

So I have a question to discuss here that I often find myself wondering about.

Is religious belief in itself a justification for prejudice such as homophobia? If someone has been taught to believe something is wrong, and it is their belief that they are going against the natural order or what have you, is it OK for them to be prejudice against those people? If they believe they should, is it OK for them to try to stop them being homosexuals?

I will share my opinion after a few posts...

Some Christians and other religions that are associated with Christianity take Homophobia to far. While other Christians feel it's wrong, but judge no one. I feel it isn't an excuse Homophobia, many religions including Roman Catholicism, Christianity, and the Jewish religion have been around since as far as 1200 AD. Real Christians shouldn't judge, but rather try to help their fellow friend. I don't know why many Christians now-a-days feel its ok to judge others, cause its not. In the Bible Jesus hung around the worst of the worst people of that day, people bashed him for doing that. So instead of Christians feeling their better than a murderer, prostitute, etc. they should try to help guide them to Christianity. Also, I hate when churches hold up those Anti-Gay posters and crap because that's not ok to do.
But overall, I believe it's not an excuse to be prejudice. I also believe that you can't stop Homophobia, that's just how people are. It's a Phobia, just like arachnophobia or hydrophobia. It's an extreme or irrational fear of something.

[Can'tHelpIt]

There is never a justified reason for hate it just happens I hate the fact that I hate things but I do. u cant justify it nothing can.
Plus if you were taught all of religon you woud have been taught to accept all others.

[organickush]

no, there was a story of orthodox jewish men who spit on a seven year old because they didn't agree with the way she dressed, obviously that is not ok. religion is like a dick, you can have one and be proud of it, but dont go around shoving it down peoples throats

[kenoloor]

Some Christians and other religions that are associated with Christianity take Homophobia to far. While other Christians feel it's wrong, but judge no one. I feel it isn't an excuse Homophobia, many religions including Roman Catholicism, Christianity, and the Jewish religion have been around since as far as 1200 AD. Real Christians shouldn't judge, but rather try to help their fellow friend. I don't know why many Christians now-a-days feel its ok to judge others, cause its not. In the Bible Jesus hung around the worst of the worst people of that day, people bashed him for doing that. So instead of Christians feeling their better than a murderer, prostitute, etc. they should try to help guide them to Christianity.

This sounds like The White Man's Burden: (http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_man's_burden) Christian Edition.

[Rage of the Menace]

exactly, Organickush. I practice my faith openly, i pray in public, at school, wherever i see fit. But i NEVER force someone to do something, or contradict thier beliefs because they don't co-inside with mine.

I'm a fair minded christian, and i think people should stop generalising all christians as the fundamentalist south protestant redneck next door.

[embers]

Real Christians shouldn't judge, but rather try to help their fellow friend.

What's a real Christian? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman)

[Can'tHelpIt]

no, there was a story of orthodox jewish men who spit on a seven year old because they didn't agree with the way she dressed, obviously that is not ok. religion is like a dick, you can have one and be proud of it, but dont go around shoving it down peoples throats

You used my sig! :D

[Thunduhbuhlt]

Nothing is justification for prejudice. No matter what.

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