Religion And Discrimination :: essays research papers

Religion and DiscriminationOne might take the view that community should be tolerant to any religionso long as it conforms to our laws and written constitution. At first glance,this statement seems as fit an answer as possible to the question of societallimits to religious tolerance. Unofrtunately, if one were to consider thematter with more caution, one would eventually see that the statement could onlybe dissociate of a greater answer. It is without a consideration of some of theelements which constitute cults, as well as other factors, that one would falterin devising a definitive answer to the question.Certain succeeding(a)s or faiths which claim to be religions that areprevalent today are, in actuality, forms of cults. Although most of thepractices and elements common to cults are legal, they are, at best, suspect.The following should constitute the line of telerance partnership should not cross.Firstly, what distinguishes cults from religions is the manner in whichthey ope rate. Cults are designed with a view of insulating the individual fromthe rest of society. Once a ingredient of a cult, in most cases, the individual isremoved of most (if not all) of their personal autonomy. Most decisions aremade by the cult leader, access to the external world is often denied, and allinformation about the outside world is distorted by the leader. These types ofoperations should be intolerable by society.Second, there should be no tolerance for religions that espouse anyform of sacrifice, be it human or animal. Although historically, thesepractices were more or less prevalent and accepted, there certainly is no placefor them in modern times.Lastly, there should be a limit of religious tolerance with regards tothe manner in which some display their beliefs. Individuals in society shouldnot be subject toa ny violence or restriction of freedom as a consequence ofsomeone elses beliefs. on that point have been numerous illustrations of this in thepast. Individuals h ave blocked abotion clinics, have participated in violentdemonstrations concerning one issue or another, ad infinitum. These types ofreligiously-fuelled practices have no place in, and should not be tolerated, inpresent day society.For some, the state has been seen to usurp the place of God on occasion.The fervent belief held by Jehovahs Witnesses, in assence, acts as the basis oftheir religious dissent. There have been certain areas of the law, whichhistorically, have given rise to the conflict between the Canadian legal systemand Jahovahs Witnesses. As a result of this conflict, a countless of implicationshave arisen.