religious intolerance has caused many problems for us a nation (and as a world, but this is US history, so I'll keep on topic). it has caused much bloodshed and tribulation within our beloved country. people have been turned to paranoid, brutish, savages over less than the method of baptism, or the order in which communion is passed out, or even the songs they sing. now why do we hate even the most subtle differences in religion? is it the belief that yours is right? theirs is wrong? no is it something deeper, something more primal and animalistic, a fear of the unknown. we fear what we cant (or in most cases of religion, refuse to) understand. to put this statement (more) bluntly, people are arrogant, stubborn creatures of habit, they refuse to accept change, so once a person (or group) chooses to change, they become outcasts of which ever civilization they are a part of. thus begins the start of a new, more open society, but is it really new and open, look at the example of the rise of Christianity in the roman empire. the romans persecuted Christians ever since (and arguably during) the formation of the early church. they were outcasts, constantly being executed in gruesome public ways. in fact, there is substantial proof that the roman empire almost went through there own red scare, during the rise of the Christian church, in which anyone could accuse anyone of being one, and they would be seized. of course we all know how this plays out, Christians become the majority, and are no longer feared, they become the ruling class, until the reformation, and so on and so on repeating the never ending cycle of religious intolerance and evolution.
I liked your analysis and found it to reveal some most interesting patterns in our World’s history. I have found that to many, allowing someone to practice a religion different to their own without trying to hinder them or even verbally persecute or debate their beliefs is somehow seen as giving up spiritual ground. It is as if there is a fear that if I let so and so worship as they wish without even commenting on how different it is and wrong it is in my eyes, then that must mean I somehow concede that they may be right… and what if they are right? Then that means I am wrong. Or even it must mean that I am not sure enough to right their bad view of God and religion. I think that in the history of our country is a dark past, one in which many Americans do not realize we still perpetuate today. The differences we find in religion are vast, yet when someone persecutes or pokes fun of another purely because of those differences and is left unchecked, then that bigotry can lead to utter depravity as you mentioned so eloquently. I am giving you some examples, as I think that was the only thing lacking in your write up. By reading these you will find examples from our own nation’s history which shows what can happen when bigotry is left unchecked and “fear” of that which is different, as you put it so well, is allowed to dictate societal action and smolder community conscience.
2 comments:
religious intolerance has caused many problems for us a nation (and as a world, but this is US history, so I'll keep on topic). it has caused much bloodshed and tribulation within our beloved country. people have been turned to paranoid, brutish, savages over less than the method of baptism, or the order in which communion is passed out, or even the songs they sing.
now why do we hate even the most subtle differences in religion? is it the belief that yours is right? theirs is wrong? no is it something deeper, something more primal and animalistic, a fear of the unknown.
we fear what we cant (or in most cases of religion, refuse to) understand. to put this statement (more) bluntly, people are arrogant, stubborn creatures of habit, they refuse to accept change, so once a person (or group) chooses to change, they become outcasts of which ever civilization they are a part of. thus begins the start of a new, more open society, but is it really new and open, look at the example of the rise of Christianity in the roman empire.
the romans persecuted Christians ever since (and arguably during) the formation of the early church. they were outcasts, constantly being executed in gruesome public ways. in fact, there is substantial proof that the roman empire almost went through there own red scare, during the rise of the Christian church, in which anyone could accuse anyone of being one, and they would be seized. of course we all know how this plays out, Christians become the majority, and are no longer feared, they become the ruling class, until the reformation, and so on and so on repeating the never ending cycle of religious intolerance and evolution.
-Aaron S. P4
Aaron,
I liked your analysis and found it to reveal some most interesting patterns in our World’s history. I have found that to many, allowing someone to practice a religion different to their own without trying to hinder them or even verbally persecute or debate their beliefs is somehow seen as giving up spiritual ground. It is as if there is a fear that if I let so and so worship as they wish without even commenting on how different it is and wrong it is in my eyes, then that must mean I somehow concede that they may be right… and what if they are right? Then that means I am wrong. Or even it must mean that I am not sure enough to right their bad view of God and religion. I think that in the history of our country is a dark past, one in which many Americans do not realize we still perpetuate today. The differences we find in religion are vast, yet when someone persecutes or pokes fun of another purely because of those differences and is left unchecked, then that bigotry can lead to utter depravity as you mentioned so eloquently. I am giving you some examples, as I think that was the only thing lacking in your write up. By reading these you will find examples from our own nation’s history which shows what can happen when bigotry is left unchecked and “fear” of that which is different, as you put it so well, is allowed to dictate societal action and smolder community conscience.
Mormon Persecution
Catholic Persecution
Jewish Persecution
Post a Comment