What If Arguing About Religion Is Responsible for Discrimination?
Probably the most used basis for justifying discrimination, whether it’s against LGBTQ people or others, is the appeal to religious claims. But is religion any more than a scapegoat to hide everything else? And is arguing that it is responsible a colluding with the discriminators? There certainly must be something emotionally satisfying, though, for many people in arguments about religion - whether they’re for “it” or against “it.” Beyond the strategies of politicians who prey on religious prejudices, people argue passionately, existentially, and obsessively about whether religion or Christianity, Islam or another ism, does, causes, or even “is” one thing or another. These arguments have sharpened and become more mainstream through the 24-hour cable news cycle that exploits terrorist attacks committed by people hiding behind religion and the fear-based politics of the right-wing politicians who dominate one of the American political parties. Talk radio and religious bigotry have also f...