Bigotry has largely gone underground

Religion, Bigotry, And Political Hypocrisy Huffington Post (blog) - ‎Chris Weigant (ChrisWeigant.com) Posted: May 17, 2010

Pat Buchanan, in his usual less-than-charming manner, brought up a point last week about the religious diversity (or lack thereof) of the Supreme Court. … Americans, as a whole, see religion on a scale of acceptability. There are acceptable religions, and then there are unacceptable religious beliefs (starting with having no religious beliefs at all). Now, over time, some religions slide back and forth along this scale. And, over time, bigotry has largely gone underground, because such things are no longer seen as acceptable in polite conversation. …

Americans believe in the concept of freedom of religion. Up to a point. That point moves over time, and we are now inclusive of Catholicism and Judaism. But that wasn't always the case. And, while journalists and politicians are free to pretend that we actually are warmly inclusive of all religions, this is simply not true. America does exhibit bigotry towards religions that are seen as "too far outside the mainstream," and we always have. Covering this fact up with the hypocrisy of "religion would never, ever be a factor for me" doesn't change this basic fact, either.

Beyond Religion with Rabbi Rami: God is not One 27 Apr 2010 by Rabbi Rami

Stephen Prothero's new book, God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World—and Why Their Differences Matter, is a refreshing antidote to the too easy notion that all religions say the same thing. ...

Denying differences is a recipe for disaster 24 Apr 2010

Stephen Prothero is a professor of religion at Boston University . This essay was adapted from his book "God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World—and Why Their Differences Matter ," recently published by HarperOne.

Educated, creative, and diverse 23 Apr 2010

“Faith in the unity of religions is just that—faith, and perhaps even a kind of fundamentalism” and “A Dangerous Belief” stresses Stephen Prothero, the author of God Is Not One. Savitri Erans must wake to the significance of this ...

christians learn in sunday school that their religion is true, and ... 19 Aug 2009

stephen prothero, religion professor at boston university, has long framed the american propensity for "the divine-deli-cafeteria religion" as "very much in the spirit of hinduism. you're not picking and choosing from different ...

Religion as a subject should (non-confessionally) be taught in schools 8 Dec 2007

Stephen Prothero, Camille Paglia, Thomas Berry among many others have called for something similar. I think there are however major issues with the proposal that have not been deeply examined. (more…)