RACISM AND RELIGION

Rogers Rant.  This one is about the word “racist” and how it is misused. According to the Oxford Dictionary racism is: 1. Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior, 2. The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. The dictionary defines a “race” as: Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics. Nowhere in these definitions does it mention religion. People can be of any religion no matter their race. You can change your religion; you can’t change your race. So, don’t call someone a racist when they dislike or distrust people of a particular religion. It is not racism; the proper term is actually religious prejudice. 

Now for the world according to Roger. I do not care what religion you are. You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Wicca or any other of the hundreds of religions (or sects/denominations within these religions) in the world today. What I do care about is when you use your religion as an excuse to murder, harm, oppress, or enslave other people just because they do not believe in the same god (or worship the same god in the same manner) as you. I am not necessarily talking about a lone wolf nut job with mental issues. I am also not talking about the small racist hate groups that used their twisted version of Christianity to legitimize their racism. Yes I do have a problem with people like that, but I am talking bigger picture. Many religions have had issues throughout the years. Christianity went through a dark time where it was punishable to belong to the wrong denomination. Fortunately those days are over for Christians. I am talking about the worldwide issue of terrorism and oppression being committed by members of the Muslim faith. Do I believe that the majority of Muslims are peace loving people, yes I do. But on the other hand there is a largely disproportionate population that believes if you are not Muslim then you should die. These people are organized, highly armed, and well trained. They are also experts at blending in with peace loving Muslims and society as a whole. That is, until it is time to strike. These same people also do not believe in human rights. In fact under their own sharia law woman do not have rights; they are basically the property of their husband. Men or women do not have the right of free speech. Blasphemy is punished and the punishment can include death by beheading. Due to these beliefs and recent activities around the world and on our own soil I have become distrustful of Muslims.  I am not proud of this distrust, but I believe the safety of my family and the American way of life is more important than bowing to the sensitivities of Muslims. So with this all being said and getting back to the original point of this article if you must label me for my belief do not label me a racist. I do have religious prejudice, but I am not a racist.