When the pilgrims came over from Europe, they were escaping religious persecution. Their governments were based on "liberty and justice for all." Then why is it now a days there's persecution everywhere? Does everything really seem fair? Every year we elect people to represent us in the government. Our decisions are based on our views of how this country should be ran. When President Obama was running, he changed his religion to Christianity. Why? Did he not think he could make it being Muslim? Did people think his actions were going to be based on a religion some Americans fear? America is supposed to be "land of the free" and "home of the brave." Yet some Americans do not feel safe, or free. Many people are persecuted just because they're not Christian. In New York it may not seem like it, but America's unofficial religion is Christianity(Non-Catholic). When laws are being made, do you really think our representatives are being fair when they ban gay marriages? Are they banning it because of their religion? Sure it may seem awkward to some people to see two men or women get married. But if America is supposed to be "land of the free" then why not let them get married? Just because a religion does not accept them doesn't mean a country can't. Many people say "marriage is a special bond between a MAN and WOMAN." May that as it be, but who are we to deny the rights of a human being? Many people don't understand that not all gays are the same.
It's not the first time people use the excuse of "God told me to" to do something that was harmful. As many of us know, the U.S. expanded during the Mexican Secession using the excuse that it was their "destiny" to take over the continent. Another example of religion being used as an excuse is when Americans were pushing the Native Americans onto reservations. Most couldn't even survive. Native Americans weren't even considered U.S. citizens. Families were broken apart, and many starved. Every year, many immigrants come to try to better their economic conditions. But when you think of the word "immigrant," what do you think of. I'm so used to relating the word "Latino" and "immigrant" because it's on the news a lot. If you think about it, the dominant religion in Latin America is Catholicism. Get the picture? Of course I'm probably wrong, but it seems so common now a days that discrimination is not only based on race, but religion.
Hopefully governmental decisions are NOT being based on religious views. If this was a country where all were free and free to speak out, then why is there still such discrimination?
Religious discrimination is definitely a big problem. I think many people just think that because no one is getting beaten up or banned from places because of something, the discrimination does not exist. Laws are not suppose to be based on religious views, or because it might make some people uncomfortable. If that were true, then the government would still have to allow things such as segregation. There are still people in the world who hate black people, and seeing black people makes them disgusted and angry, but the rights of blacks are still acknowledged. I never understood how one group of people who have ever been discriminated against can then say it is okay to discriminate against someone else.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is disgusting to hate someone in the name of a religion. I go to church and listen to how hypocritical these people sound. They talk about being loving and forgiving, but then think it is okay to hate someone because it goes against their religion, and that is something I will never understand. I know not all religious people act like that, and I think those are the ones who truly understand their religion.