I think part of the issue is that we don't have a fair marketplace of ideas. Some ideas - like religious beliefs - are considered, culturally, off limits to criticism. They have a protected status that's unwarranted.
Now, to be clear, I DO NOT BELIEVE that people should be persecuted for their religious beliefs, or lack thereof. All I'm saying is that every religion is a collection of ideas, and they should stand and fall on their own merits rather than be shielded from criticism because they may involve a deity.
So, when someone declares they're a creationist, they have the cultural weight of religion behind them. And while the opinion isn't mainstream, it has momentum behind it because the people who are trying to make it mainstream hide behind their religion. "You can't deny me, because this is what I believe!" That's an incredibly dangerous mindset to hold, but it works because people, businesses, and schools are afraid of litigation.
Thankfully, we're seeing a bit of a cultural push back in the US. All the griping about Christians being persecuted in America? That's those Christians being unable to digest the fact that being a Christian really shouldn't give them special rights or privileges, and people are denying them the special status they didn't even know they enjoyed. The playing field is slowly but surely being leveled.
And that's a good thing. Like I said, beliefs and opinions should stand or fall based on their merits and not anything else. And just as a creationist has the right to spew their bullshit, I have the right to eviscerate their ideas in front of everyone.
But, yeah... a ton (the majority?) of religious people act as though their religious beliefs must be respected out of the gate. Which is ridiculous. I know my atheism isn't respected by most, and I certainly wouldn't expect my political beliefs to be respected just because I hold them.
Now, to be clear, I DO NOT BELIEVE that people should be persecuted for their religious beliefs, or lack thereof. All I'm saying is that every religion is a collection of ideas, and they should stand and fall on their own merits rather than be shielded from criticism because they may involve a deity.
So, when someone declares they're a creationist, they have the cultural weight of religion behind them. And while the opinion isn't mainstream, it has momentum behind it because the people who are trying to make it mainstream hide behind their religion. "You can't deny me, because this is what I believe!" That's an incredibly dangerous mindset to hold, but it works because people, businesses, and schools are afraid of litigation.
Thankfully, we're seeing a bit of a cultural push back in the US. All the griping about Christians being persecuted in America? That's those Christians being unable to digest the fact that being a Christian really shouldn't give them special rights or privileges, and people are denying them the special status they didn't even know they enjoyed. The playing field is slowly but surely being leveled.
And that's a good thing. Like I said, beliefs and opinions should stand or fall based on their merits and not anything else. And just as a creationist has the right to spew their bullshit, I have the right to eviscerate their ideas in front of everyone.
But, yeah... a ton (the majority?) of religious people act as though their religious beliefs must be respected out of the gate. Which is ridiculous. I know my atheism isn't respected by most, and I certainly wouldn't expect my political beliefs to be respected just because I hold them.
"I was thirsty for everything, but blood wasn't my style" - Live, "Voodoo Lady"
