Timothy,
But surely discrimination is discrimination, wherever it is found and whatever its context or cause - be that religion, eceonomics, culture, language or such like. I believe discrimination is wrong and defend my right to say so and criticse if I come across it.
Religion is one form of belief and value system that many millions of people subscribe to. I am not religious but I do have a belief system that I consider as valid as any other person's. I expect others to tell me if they feel I am acting in a discriminatory way. My beliefs and values are robust enough to tell my critics, if I believe they are wrong, that I think they are wrong and why they are wrong. I would hope that religions, which have many hundreds of years and many more resourses (not to mention a much more tried and tested theology) than I are robust enough to do likewise. I accept that criticism should be based on understanding and not ignorance and prejudice (which is the basis of most current anti-Islam sentiment to get back to the original subject matter). Criticism properly made is justified and to stifle that because of there being something precious and 'special' about religion could be accused of "political correctness" (but I wouldn't as I really hate that concept!).
The same holds true for oppression, state violence etc. I believe it is absolutely valid to criticise self-proclaimed christians such as Blair and Bush for their war-mongering. I would criticise them politically but if they defend themselves by recourse to religious doctrine then either they need to be challenged either for their hypocrisy or for their religious doctrine if it does indeed defend such actions. The lives of Iraqi people are too important to do otherwise.
Jules
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