Hi All,
Your discussions about God and religion have peaked my curiosity. So, for extra credit--I'd like to offer the following question for discussion:
To what extent, if any, does religion play in racism? I ask this because, as we consider the notion of salvation--and that salvation coming through Christ, or any other prophet--seems to imply that one can only be "saved" if they recognize one, all powerful being as the savior. Doesn't this imply then, that other prophets, religions, are inferior because they do not lead to "true" salvation? And then if we pursue this further: by default, if we presume that one religious deity or prophet is superior over another, then can't that justify the argument that some humans are superior to others (racially or otherwise)?
I'm curious to hear you thoughts (and to see if I'm making sense here)!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Religion & Racism
Posted by Mr. P at 5:59 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
16 comments:
I belive that racism has been preserved in the making of America through christanity. Our government is based on one 'superior religion' christanity, yet contradicting our constitution which in our first amendnment states "freedom of...religion". My religion christanity has been flipped and simplified to a conviting "God" who does not accept anything or one foreign to the exact context of the bible, which is the very indirect word of God. The value of salvation created by the 'Media God' has created divisions - "good vs. evil" line in America. Religion everyday is used to bound xenophobia and keep racism alive in the minds of bigots.
Religion is a big roll in most people's lives, and everyone worships someone or something and i guess its because iono maybe if you wanna get a spot in heaven or watever sumthing peaceful, you wanna prove that you really worship your religion or that you can prove that you will do anything toa certain extent. so religon s a big and it also like gives sumtimes a racial background. like most eople believe shinto and most mexicans believe catholicism.
Religion plays a role in racism, because some religions do imply that they are superior to others. But that implication is made by the people and not the religion itself. The people are the ones who choose to go against their religion and hate others. For example, Christianity teaches to love and help others so they can also gain the true salvation. If they don’t want to join or believe that Christianity is the way to true Salvation then they can still live their life in peace. We are not supposed to hate them because of their beliefs, but rather embrace them and pray that they will come to the light and want to be saved.
Religion is so very important in society today. It is solely traditional because usually our parents or guardians are the ones who teach us what to believe in. The religion we practice sometimes tells us who to be against or tells us about those who are not like us. username Yar used a great example and I agree. My religion (Christian) tells us that we should spread love, but in urban times they badmouth how other people worship fake Gods (other religions such as Muslim) and that it is an abomination.
I think religion plays a big role in racism. Many people might think that if you aren’t Christian then you are praising a “fake” God. In a way it does imply that other religions are inferior because they don’t believe in the in the same God. America makes the assumption that all people are supposed to believe in Christianity. This is not right because everyone has a freedom of speech. Then it comes to the point that if you are implying that some humans are superior to others and this is racism. I think that everyone should be able to believe in what they want. It should not be other humans being superior to others because of their religion. People should be comfortable in whatever they like.
Religion can usher in tacit or explicit racism when. In dealing with the aspects of religion, it has been implied that the only one TRUE religion is that of christianity. Those who believe in christianity will be saved on judgement day, and those who don't believe will be cast down into hell. The followers of christianity can be viewed, for the most part, as the superior people who look down on those inferior people who worship false gods. This can cause for conflict between the two sets of people which can rise from just worshipping the wrong god to a much broader issue like race and the stereotypes of a specific race.
Religion does play a huge role in people’s lives because a lot of people look for someone or something to believe in. In the aspect of looking at other religions as inferior because they do not believe in the god you believe in, then yes in a way it does breed racism. But if you operate according to the religion and not use it a crutch to do damnable things then it shouldn’t necessarily breed racism.
In my opinion I don’t think that religion plays a role in racism. Then again that is only from my perspective. My belief is that religion and racism are to different things. To be racist in my religion is sinning. You are to love every thing that God created. When it comes to being racist that I believe is a person’s choice. When that person starts a family it is that individual’s choice to raise their kids to be racist. When that child is old enough it is that person’s choice to continue to be racist. Racism is a choice. I do however think that those people who use their religion to breed racism are wrong. Saying that if you don’t hate another group of people, you will go to hell is absolutely wrong. Your choice in religion does raise the question as to which one is “the right one”. I do acknowledge that my religion, Christianity, is considered that best one and the most man made at the same time.
Those questions are real confusing but I will try for extra credit! Relegion plays a huge part in racism.Racism is a hatred toward others who are viewed as ethnically different and relegion sometimes goes with ones ethnicity. Their culture might have a different religion and a different interpretation of the story of God. So with that being said one who believes in their religion believes their idea of God to be true and others must be a lie so their idea seems superior to them as oppose to the other ideas that are viewed as inferior because they're not the true story.
To me, I believe that Religion plays a big role in many peoples lives. As we grow up, it is our parents ideals that we are taught, therefore playing a role in decisions that people make. In this case, religions sometimes tell us that we or others are the superior race which then relates to racism and how we act and treat others different from our race. Many religions say or teach that it is there religion that is the real religion, and others who believe in different gods praise a "fake" god. So overall, I believe that in today’s society and with what religions teach religion does play a role in racism.
As I'm reading the responses, I'm not sure if you all are answering the main question but I will try my best to. I do not think religion plays a role in racism. Race and religion are two totally different things and it doesn't make sense to compare the two in that fashion. Now if you don't like someone because of their religion then that would fall under being prejudice or discrimination. But from my understanding of racism thus far it has to do with your ethnic background or your nationality. Like "Myzz_big.blaque" said Racism is your choice, discrimination is your choice....but it does not fall under racism.
Religion is a part of culture, culture is a part of ethnicity, ethnicity is a part of race. Racism is having a prejudice towards an inferior race from a superior race. So, yes religion does play a major role in racism. There is an invalid point in the post that I would like to address. A person's religion isn't in comparison with another religion. It has its own beliefs and morals. Therefore, in a certain religion there is no right or wrong, there is just one.
I believe that religion plays a big role in racism because they imply that they are superior over another and if one is superior over another they will act the part and racism comes into play. For example, christianity is known to be the biggest religion and "america's" religion and america looks down on other religions that are not christianity and they feel superior to them because thier looked at as the most known religion.
Religion does play a big role in racism. I believe people in one one religion think that their religion is superior then all the others which causes segration or even hatred. Today, people believe in many different things, so when they are approached by someone else who has differently beliefs they begin to be offended and start questioning that other religion. History has proved that there is racism in religion, there has been wars between two different religions such as in the Crusades.
I believe that religion plays somewhat of a role in racism because some religous groups are taught to hate others of different races. I believe that if you are from a religion then should not be able to hate someone else. Because for instance if you are a Christian then it is one of the ten commandments not to hate someone.
Post a Comment