stardustaquarion
30th April 2010, 11:54
Having being victim of harrasment I thought it will be useful to know the difference between religious tolerance and intolerance
The days of the inquisition are over and for know we are free to speak, for how long, well it is not know
Here is what I found
Overview:
First, consider the opposite to religious tolerance:
The English language has many words to describe various forms of bigotry, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. But it has no single word to refer to forms of bigotry based on a person's religion or faith group.
We feel that the English language needs a new word. We suggest:
"Religism", meaning "the expression of fear towards, hatred towards, or discrimination against, persons of a specific religion affiliation, usually a minority faith."
The word is gradually catching on. Until English speaking people reach a consensus on a new term we can always use "religious intolerance."
More information on "Religism."
In this website:
The meaning of the term "religious tolerance" does not involve:
.Believing that all religions are the same. In fact, religions differ greatly in their beliefs and practices. So do divisions (denominations, traditions, etc) within a given religion.
.Believing that all sets of religious beliefs are equally true. Again, religious differ greatly. Many people consider their own beliefs to be true and others to be at least partly false.
.Believing that all faiths are equally beneficial and equally harmless to society. In our opinion, some religions are less beneficial to society society because they teach racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religism, etc.
.Believing that all religious groups are equally beneficial and equally harmless to their followers. Some religions expect their members to follow practices that are hazardous to their mental and physical health, and may shorten their lives -- avoid medical assistance, spouse beating, child beating, etc.
.Refraining from criticizing religious practices of others. Some religions teach their followers to actively discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, etc. Such practices, in our opinion, should be open to analysis and criticism.
.Refraining from talking about your beliefs to others. One should feel free to discuss beliefs of all types. Of course, if the other person indicates that they don't want to talk about religion, then continued proselytizing would degenerate into harassment.
.Ignoring your own religious ideas. It is not necessary, nor is it desirable, for an individual to suppress their own religious beliefs, in order to accept the right of another person to follow a different religion. It is not necessary to accept others' beliefs as valid. A tolerant person merely extends to all people a fundamental human right: freedom of religious belief.
In this website:
The meaning of the term "religious tolerance" does involve:
.Accepting that followers of various religions consider their own beliefs to be true. Most people believe that their religious beliefs are true, perhaps even true on an absolute basis.
.Allowing others to hold religious beliefs that are different from yours. No society is truly free unless there is freedom of religious association, speech and belief for everyone.
.Allowing others to freely change their religion, or denomination or beliefs. Freedom of religion includes the right to change one's faith.
.Allowing others to practice their religious faith, within reasonable limits. Religion is more than belief; it involves practices as well.
.Refusing to discriminate in employment, accommodation etc. on religious grounds. People who follow minority religions have the right to be treated fairly in the workplace and society generally.
from http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_tol3.htm
Food for thought
The days of the inquisition are over and for know we are free to speak, for how long, well it is not know
Here is what I found
Overview:
First, consider the opposite to religious tolerance:
The English language has many words to describe various forms of bigotry, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. But it has no single word to refer to forms of bigotry based on a person's religion or faith group.
We feel that the English language needs a new word. We suggest:
"Religism", meaning "the expression of fear towards, hatred towards, or discrimination against, persons of a specific religion affiliation, usually a minority faith."
The word is gradually catching on. Until English speaking people reach a consensus on a new term we can always use "religious intolerance."
More information on "Religism."
In this website:
The meaning of the term "religious tolerance" does not involve:
.Believing that all religions are the same. In fact, religions differ greatly in their beliefs and practices. So do divisions (denominations, traditions, etc) within a given religion.
.Believing that all sets of religious beliefs are equally true. Again, religious differ greatly. Many people consider their own beliefs to be true and others to be at least partly false.
.Believing that all faiths are equally beneficial and equally harmless to society. In our opinion, some religions are less beneficial to society society because they teach racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religism, etc.
.Believing that all religious groups are equally beneficial and equally harmless to their followers. Some religions expect their members to follow practices that are hazardous to their mental and physical health, and may shorten their lives -- avoid medical assistance, spouse beating, child beating, etc.
.Refraining from criticizing religious practices of others. Some religions teach their followers to actively discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, etc. Such practices, in our opinion, should be open to analysis and criticism.
.Refraining from talking about your beliefs to others. One should feel free to discuss beliefs of all types. Of course, if the other person indicates that they don't want to talk about religion, then continued proselytizing would degenerate into harassment.
.Ignoring your own religious ideas. It is not necessary, nor is it desirable, for an individual to suppress their own religious beliefs, in order to accept the right of another person to follow a different religion. It is not necessary to accept others' beliefs as valid. A tolerant person merely extends to all people a fundamental human right: freedom of religious belief.
In this website:
The meaning of the term "religious tolerance" does involve:
.Accepting that followers of various religions consider their own beliefs to be true. Most people believe that their religious beliefs are true, perhaps even true on an absolute basis.
.Allowing others to hold religious beliefs that are different from yours. No society is truly free unless there is freedom of religious association, speech and belief for everyone.
.Allowing others to freely change their religion, or denomination or beliefs. Freedom of religion includes the right to change one's faith.
.Allowing others to practice their religious faith, within reasonable limits. Religion is more than belief; it involves practices as well.
.Refusing to discriminate in employment, accommodation etc. on religious grounds. People who follow minority religions have the right to be treated fairly in the workplace and society generally.
from http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_tol3.htm
Food for thought