| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"lare" |
| Date: |
07 Dec 2007 03:21:31 PM |
| Object: |
outcast religions |
Often, religions which dare to stand against the tide of popular
culture become, in some degree, victims of prejudice. Often there are
sterotypes which exaggerate or even falsify the actual reality. Just
as Jews have been victims throughout history, so have other faiths in
(of all places) America. America owns the distinction and honor of
being the first republic in the history of the world to formally
guarantee freedom of religion (at the federal level). In fact, it was
one hundred and fifty years ahead of others.
But consider the exceptions. For example nativist prejudice and
discrimination against Catholics. Or the Puritan and mainstream
oppression of Quakers. Or the bloodshed and persecution suffered by
Mormons.
Or nowadays, the Jehovah's Witnesses. Richard Singelinberg of the
University of Utrecht, The Netherlands -- has presented a study on
this phenomenon.
Witnesses were stereotyped as anti-social, or less patriotic (because
of exemption from military seervice), yet many seerved as medics
(being conscientious objectors).
Singelinberg notes the rumors about the alleged habit of strict
spankings (lickings) in Jehovah's Witnesses families, when in reality,
the European research shows that many parents have similar attitudes
supportive of corporal punishment.
Sometimes the question boils down to who to blame. Do witnesses chose
to be "odd" or does society persecute because mass attitudes have not
evolved to the level of respecting diversity and non-conformity.
Do outcast groups have a need for "being right"?? Is there some kind
of martyr complex? Is there a latent spiritual pride going on?
Because I suffer, I am superior to the one who causes my suffering?
Singelinberg offers no final answers, but certainly the topic is not
going away.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: outcast religions |
07 Dec 2007 04:50:52 PM |
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I think it is clear that America is not freedom of religion unless the
religion is the accepted religion. Consider the uproar at a Hindu
offering the invocation at House of Representatives; evidently the
coalition of christian forces is all for prayer in government and
state functions - but only if it is their prayer and their god. The
Family Research Council even said verbatim "Christianity - and no
other religion - would receive support from the government.." Views
such as these fly in the face your statement
America owns the distinction and honor of
being the first republic in the history of the world to formally
guarantee freedom of religion (at the federal level).
Religion, and Christianity is no exception, make a practice of
intolerance, whether in America or elsewhere. Certainly there is paid
lip-service to tolerance, but it is little more than that. History and
even current events distinctly show intolerance. The bible is
certainly no proponent of tolerance: "Shouldest thou help the
ungodly.. Therefore is wrath upon thee." II Chronicles 19:2. Or 2 John
1:10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not
receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; (11) for
the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil
deeds." (Then there is the Old testament, where death, etc greets the
non-believers...)
Lastly, consider that if an atheist parent prevented medical care to
their child and it died - they would be imprisoned. But if you are
religious, say a JW as you have listed, and refuse medical care for
your child then you are vindicated by way of your belief in an
invisible god. Perhaps the most prejudice and discrimination of all is
against those of no belief...
.
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| User: "lare" |
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| Title: Re: outcast religions |
26 Dec 2007 07:48:53 PM |
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I wish you had read to the very end.
I was not defending the Buddhism as practiced in Japan, so much as
saying that outcast religions may, in many cases, experience the
negative effects of majority domination in such a way as to give them
an edge when the matter of freedom of conscience is raised. This
phenomenon applies to the alliance between the Deists and other
outcast or minority "denominations" --- and I highly recommend Thomas
Merton in regards the benefit of an ideal ....
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