Race, Religion, Creed, or Color

There is a dangerous package deal that emerged on the heels of the civil rights movement: the refusal to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, or color. Let us not consider here the question of whether or not the state should be banning any form of discrimination at all in the course of men's private dealings. It shouldn't, whatever the moral status of such acts of discrimination.

The question is whether discrimination on the basis of religion is an immoral act. A religion is a chosen system of beliefs. The fact that most people uncritically adopt the religion of their families does not alter that fact and does not absolve a man of moral responsibility for the consequences of his beliefs in his life and in his interaction with others. If we repudiate discrimination on the basis of religion, why shouldn't we also demand equal consideration for those who believe that two and two is five or that Elvis lives?

Historically, religion has been given a special exemption from critical treatment because of the obvious stupidity of its claims. 'Yes religious dogma is obviously stupid, people realize you're not dumb enough to truly believe it, but don't go upsetting your grandma.' Thinking people basically all got together and voted to make this one a freebie. Sure we'd have to put up with an occasional gynecologist being murdered by anti-abortion wackos, but grandma must be placated.

Now the penitents are crashing planes into buildings. The exemption has to end. Your ideas are your choice. If they result in you helping to blow up innocent people, you cannot be spared the consequences any longer.

Ayn Rand perceived this 50 years ago. Bill Buckley rewarded the achievement of this seemingly clairvoyant insight by turning the conservative movement into something unpalatable for her. Now Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins are coming around to see what's really on the line when respectability is granted to stone age metaphysics. Hopefully Europe will not lie bloody and inseminated under a crescent banner before thinking people start catching on.