Quote:
Originally Posted by kindlekitten
some people believe chritstianity is irrational, some believe paganism, some muslim... who is to decide?
|
The problem isn't with the rationality, or lack thereof, of the beliefs. It's with the harmful actions taken because of the irrational beliefs. There's a limit to how much we allow a person's beliefs to excuse harmful behavior.
Force their kids to wear uncomfortable clothes? Okay. Scarves, turbans, plaid skirts in winter: all acceptable.
Force their kids to wear clothes that make their bodies unable to grow properly? Not okay. No foot binding, regardless of how important it is to your religion.
Force the neighbors to listen to annoying & disruptive chanting they don't want? Okay. For some levels of "annoying and disruptive."
Force the neighbors' garden to live without sunlight? Not okay; no building an 80' wall to the glory of your god.
Tell the person on the street that they're condemned to eternal punishment, hoping to shame and depress them into converting? Okay.
Start that punishment yourself, with fists? Not okay.