Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Has religious freedom gone too far?

Religious freedom began during the Protestant Reformation, which is said to have started with Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. At its inception, it was a protest against the excesses of the Catholic Church, which was intolerant of nonbelievers. Indeed, at certain times the Catholic Church beheaded those it deemed “heathens.”

Today religious history seems to have gone full cycle. Around the world various religions are again preaching intolerance as well as distrust and often hatred for all those who are not of the their faith. At times religious intolerance has led to killings and war, as is the case with those Muslim sects that advocate extermination of all “infidels” (which includes Muslims and non-Muslims who deviate from their radical Muslim doctrine.)

Nor is religious intolerance only found in other parts of the world. It can be seen right here in America. Scattered around the USA are religious communities (sometimes affiliated with a major religion) that exclude others and indoctrinate their young with the notion that their religious views and theirs alone are the correct ones, while at the same time filling them with distrust of all those outside their religion.

The Hassidic Jews of Brooklyn, New York—according to the 2007 documentary, A Life Apart—consider themselves superior to all other Jews, not to mention non-Jews. They believe their brand of Judaism is the elite brand, and they socialize only with other Hassidic Jews while eschewing any contact with mainstream America. Some perceive them as prejudiced against all those outside their sect.

Ironically, religions that practice exclusivity and intolerance, as certain Muslim and Jewish sects apparently do, often accuse other groups of being prejudiced against them. Often people are afraid to speak out against religious excess out of a fear of being called a name such as “religious bigot.”

Religion, when practiced in a constructive way, can be very beneficial to its followers. When its core beliefs are focused on love, peace, and respect for all human beings, it fosters harmony and mental health. However, when its focus is on exclusivity, intolerance, and disguised or not-so-disguised hate, it can be quite unhealthy.

Religious intolerance and conflict can have a ripple effect. Thus, it prods the mindset of all people, causing widespread anxiety and stress. When Mama and Daddy fight, the children suffer.

How far should religious freedom go? Should religions have the freedom to teach distrust of anyone who is not of their religion? Should they have the freedom to indoctrinate followers with the notion that their religion is superior to other religions and they therefore deserve special treatment? Should they have the right to teach their members that they are victims of prejudice and therefore they have the right to attack those they perceive as discriminating against them? Should they have the right to preach hatred of other religions and demand death to those outside their religions?

Throughout history religions have started with good intentions, then become powerful gotten out of hand. Will that cycle ever stop?