When the idea of legislation to clamp down on religious hatred first came up I was deeply uncomfortable about the idea. Not because I’m in favour of religious hatred, I’m not, but because it struck me as fundamentally disturbing that in an enlightened age we would choose to afford religion any particular protection over and above the protection we would afford to any other idea.
The decision to bring criminal charges against two BNP candidates for burning a copy of the Koran has placed the issue back on the public agenda. Unsurprisingly, feelings are mixed. From my own point of view I’m sickened by the idea of any book being burnt and by the BNP’s desire to divide communities through fear mongering and bigotry.
And yet, why should Islam, Christianity or any other religion for that matter be treated with special deference? Is religion any more valid or deserving of respect than, for example, scientific theories which, for some, undermine basic tenets of religious faith.
No doubt, my view of this subject is influenced by the fact I’m an atheist. But is it really any surprise that I find the protection of unproven doctrine strange?
Religion deserves respect. But it should be taken off its pedestal.
Comments
Utar Efson / April 11 2011 2:09pm
Utar is entirely happy for a completely level playing field based on a bill of rights for each citizen (or subject) of the United Kingdom.
Of course that egalitarianism also means the UK puts aside the unproven doctrine that secularism merits any special place over any other belief system.
John Davies / April 11 2011 2:21pm
I am inclined to agree but would be interested in your ideas about how you would do it.
William Hewstone / April 11 2011 4:31pm
I totally agree. I have long been 'offended' by how easily people can down my politics beliefs with a simple "that's rubbish" etc etc. And when they claim that religion holds some special office for atheists, it seems so obvious to me that the same applies to political ideology.
Just as people give up their lives for their religion, and dedicate a working life to religious ideals and beliefs, people fight to the death for political beliefs, and dedicate lives to ideologies...
Rav Casley Gera / April 13 2011 4:56pm
I think the problem is that legislation must deal with real-life problems, and this legislation was designed to deal with a significant uptick in aggression and hate speech towards Muslims since 9/11. Anti-semitism was already covered by race hate laws.
In principle, you're right - religious beliefs are no different to, say, political beliefs, and need no more protection. But a religion is more than a belief, it's a set of activities - worship, wearing certain clothes etc - and a community, often a visible one. In practice, the idea of an Asian briton with a beard being called a 'terrorist' in the street does bother me more than someone leaving a Labour meeting being called a communist (and I'm an atheist). It's also much more likely.
Scottspeig / April 19 2011 2:17pm
I never understand the phrase "burning a book is sickening". Why? It is only a copy of a much sold book. The burning of it is the symbolism of what one thinks of the ideas written inside it. Indeed, book burning is probably the most symbolic actions left.
What this has done is divide an already apparent division in the way the different faiths are treated since you have a defaced christian bible on display at a taxpayer funded gallery and yet the police crack down on a youtube clip of someone buring the Koran...
You as an atheist have much to be thankful of the Judeo-christian values that this country (and the US) has been built on, and to casually throw it away as if it has no part in society is quite frightening. While you disagree on the punchline, most if not everyone still recognises the moralistic values that it teaches are of great benefit to society and individuals.
Religion deserves respect, but Christianity deserves more than the others in this country.
No doubt, my view of this subject is influenced by the fact I'm an evangelical christian. However, to dismiss the value of the Judeo-christian traditions on this country is to ignore the historical benefits that came with it.