- dis·crim·i·na·tion /də skriməˈnāSH(ə)n/ noun 1. the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
Why do we discriminate against others? (Explanation from ReachOut.com)
- "Individuals or an organisation are discriminating against you if they treat you differently from everyone else because of something about you that they don't respect. Discrimination can be a horrible and hurtful experience and, in many instances, it's against the law."
One day on Twitter I commented in a reply to someone that I felt discriminated against as an atheist. The original poster lists herself as one, but said there was no discrimination and I was wrong feeling oppressed. I corrected her in that I said "discriminated," not "oppressed." But the exchange, which went on for several posts and gathered another against my view, got me wondering about the current idea of discrimination among those younger than 50 or 60 years of age (which both my "adversaries" in the discussion were, I believe). With the protests involving Black Lives Matter going on, just how do younger people view the idea of discrimination, especially if they equate it with oppression?
The recent Supreme Court moot decision on making religious gatherings exempt from coronavirus restrictions is a good example. TV pundits and commentaries are all about how unnecessary it was (Gov Cuomo said the restriction was already expired) and at least one TV commentator I heard mentioned the current makeup of the conservative-majority Court, but none have touched on the other long term consequences (unless networks I haven't heard have done so) — anti-religious discrimination.
The Court's ruling effectively raises the profile of religion and further ensconses it as an essential part of American culture. Both Christian and Jewish leaders pressed the suit. While these two religions are intrinsically discriminatory against anyone who doesn't follow their teachings, radical conservatives of each can be especially so. And while the US Constitution declares no religious preference or deference (the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment) Evangelical Christians have long ignored this and influenced politicians to enact policies and laws giving preference to these Christians and their repressive agenda.
(For the past couple of decades, Evangelicals have voiced an affinity for Jews and Israel, but only because the Hebrews fit into the Christian "End Time" mythology.)
In exempting churches and synagogues from pandemic regulations, the Supremes have elevated religious groups above measures intended to reduce the risks to the populace (the pandemic in this case) and afforded them benefits for which religion does not deserve despite comments like the ones made by New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan ("Our churches are essential," he said. Notice he only said "churches.") How much leverage does religion have over policies that affect all of us and how much discrimination will the Court's ruling ultimately entail? Will younger citizens recognize the discrimination or see it as normal until it's viewed as oppressive? The trend towards theocratic rule has gone on long enough. It's past time to purge this supposed religion-neutral country of religious overtones.
