This is a fair point in some instances, but there are different types of exclusion. You are, for example, excluded from the medical proffession due to a tack of knowledge and training, but you wouldn't complain that such an exclusion was unfair. In "Mystery Cults" such as Christianity exclusion is based on the same lack of knowledge, and refusal to enter into a fellowship with the rest of the group.
So while I accept that all religions have a membership and "exclude" outsiders I don't believe this is merely degree, I think it is also a matter of perspective and that is almost more important.
With regard to Judaism, my knowledge not being total, I was referring to the difference between those sects that admit members from outside; and those that don't. The latter construct their religion as a solely ethnic identity.You choose a fundamentalist sect as your argument, but I think I'm correct to assert that all Judaism is non-proselytising and since most Jews don't fit your characterisation, it falls.
Regardless, I reamin convinced. The central figure of the Koran is, most generously, a Warrior King. The central figure of the Bible, an iternant preacher and healer. The situation in Judaism is more complex, but there the central "figure" is really a people elect to God, who go through pretty much every hardship and misfortune at His hands. I think Islam has a problem with being in a subserviant cultural position because there is little to nothing about how to live that way in the Koran.This position often leads to a pointless argument. My understanding is that while fundamentalists in Islam (just as in Christianity) take the harsher parts of their holy book seriously, the vast majority of Muslims take the good and wise advice and interpret the "warrior" part as being an advocation for striving mightily to do good in life. The historical narrative of most of the Bible is also rather red in tooth and claw. The real problem with both religions (and explicit in their Scripture) is that they consider outsiders to be somehow deficient and themselves, "Chosen".
Well, I can't prove it, but consider this:I'd like to see you demonstrate that one.![]()
An "equality" law is passed which requires every member of Parliament to sign a sworn statement that they will not allow their private religious beliefs to influence the way they vote in the House. That law bans me and anyone else of religious conviction from honestly taking office. My strong sense of morality and my sense of the common good for all humanity are informed by my religion, so unless I lie and compromise my principles, I cannot sit as an MP.
In fact, the only people who can honestly sit are those without any strong "moral" convictions that could be construed as religious, and this might include Humanism. So in passing a secularisation law you exclude from the political process the greatest number of people who are likely to have strong convictions not directly informed by their political affiliation.
Another point; when you force religion under ground, the more relaxed and flexable people are more likely to be persuaded to give it up or confine it to their exclusively private lives. at that point the only people left shouting in the public sphere are the hardliners, and they will begin to attract and radicalise those among the moderates who feel hard done by, as well as those who have not recieved strong guidence from their elders.
We are seeing this in Britain right now, the marginalisation of the traditional Churches has led to a large number of young people flocking to the Evangelical banner.
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