Religious Freedom or Religious Privilege

[LazyGun]

This might equally as well be titled as Are religions under attack by the secular, as Lord Carey has recently claimed of christians in the UK.

Interesting article below;

http://www.humanistli...-religious-privilege/

From the article;

" some religious groups seem to believe that religious freedom is an absolute right. They claim that religious freedom allows them to force their beliefs on others, and to discriminate against marginalised groups in society. When attempts are made to restrict their ability to do this, they create a false narrative of persecution, in which they cast themselves as the victims. However, the reality is that they are not victims, but aggressors, who are either trying to hold on to religious privileges, or to win back privileges which they used to enjoy before society became increasingly secularised. "

[Old_Geezer]

Freedom is being allowed to hold your own beliefs and practice your own rituals (providing they are deemed morally acceptable by society). Forcing ones beliefs on others is outside that but a certain amount of having them try to "save you" is to be expected and tolerated for they think they do you the greatest favour of your existence.

The question is, what is the right balance, for we all have to tolerate in others that which we are unhappy about, so we can get on as a civilized society.

[naomi24]

//Freedom is being allowed to hold your own beliefs and practice your own rituals //

That's true. However, when that freedom infringes upon other people's lives, the religious should not expect it to be tolerated - but they do.

[ludwig]

I pretty much agree with your quoted passage above LG, and what Naomi said.

Believe and worship whatever you like, but don't expect others to modify their behaviour to suit your beliefs. They may choose to do so as a courtesy, but don't expect or demand it as a right.

[jomifl]

I don't understand why someone with a loose grip on reality should receive privileges for their sloppy thinking.

[askyourgran]

That was a throwaway remark jomifl. Naomi is correct to say that anyones beliefs should not infringe on anothers.

[jomifl]

AYG, no, it wasn't a throwaway remark, it was pertinant, profound and concise..

[askyourgran]

Sez you! Try telling half the muslim world that they are sloppy with a loose grip on reality, they will soon tighten their grip.

[jomifl]

Well of course might is always right, isn't that one of the cornerstones of religion?

[naomi24]

This is the sort of thing that really bugs me - no pun intended.

http://www.telegraph....NHS-hygiene-rule.html

If covered arms are more likely to spread infection then religion or not - they're more likely to spread infection. The interests of the patient should be paramount and if it isn't then these people should find another job. Shame on the people who bent to their will.

[beso]

I agree that people should have the right to believe what they want.

However the religious demand further, much further.

They try to outlaw any criticism of their beliefs. It is interesting that the right to religion is considered sacrosanct yet the right to not follow religion is not afforded the same protections in many places.

They expect society to be run on their interpretation of their holy myths regardless of the hard evidence of the damage their faith based beliefs already cause.

[naomi24]

Birdie, //Naomi -

Your link typifies everything that is wrong with religion. It demands special privileges for its adherents regardless of all other considerations //

The real problem is it demands special privileges and gets them! Time to say 'no'!

[naomi24]

This subject is important and warrants further serious discussion - but the religious and their apologists appear to be strangely silent on the matter.

[beso]

The religious only have one perspective. It is built upon an presumption of their own righteousness. They are completely blind to their own hypocrisy.