Comments on: ‘Moral Blindness’: Do Liberals Look Down On Religious Tradition?

By: Neha

Neha — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:11:19 +0000

i don’t think it’s religion that is being looked down at, but rigid social customs cloaked as religious and cultural behavior. If we isolate the behavior from the religious and cultural binds, you realize what remains is superstition and or a violation of rights. That definitely needs to be looked down upon. Of course I am generalizing, but I hope I made my point. Also I am not taking fundamentalists in consideration here. I consider them to be a whole different issue.

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By: Judy

Judy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:49:03 +0000

I don’t look down on religious people, I realize that some people need religion, others do not, or alternately find spiritual concepts more fulfilling. I happened to be raised strict Roman Catholic and have let all that go. Having had seen my poor elderly mother turn to the point of fanaticism and superstition instead of finding peace in the religion, helped me to let go of it all the more. The trouble is, when religion uses fear to keep people in line, they can go over the edge. Now, it’s even worse with the extreme right wing conservative party using the religious element of the population to their benefit by feeding their anger and fear.

If religion helps someone find peace instead of fear, more power to them.

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By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:09:54 +0000

Religion is looked down in modern times as a natural effect of progress. It is correlated heavily with social failure and decay, and is and has always been a significant force behind global violence. When it was practically the only large and developed social institution, for example in the middle ages, it had some positive impacts on culture, for example preserving educational systems and keeping records. But at this point in history religion is woefully incapable of offering enough positive social contribution to balance out its damaging influence. It is an intellectual crutch, a justification for intolerance and xenophobia, and generally an outdated and yes, backward worldview. It is not enough that many people have positive personal experiences with religion; if it were not for religion, these good people would have something else to believe in. It is in no way irreplaceable and certainly not necessary. The overall effect is overwhelmingly negative and it deserves zero respect – It is an act of kindness and understanding in itself to not actively oppose it.

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By: Buddy Daturtle

Buddy Daturtle — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:00:53 +0000

Flying Spaghetti Monster is watching you.

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By: Jonathan Lockwood

Jonathan Lockwood — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:32:23 +0000

I agree with TWE’s comment: “I believe a “true liberal” is tolerant and open minded…nor do they want to change others’ beliefs.” –although in being extremely inclusive, I’d leave out the “and does not have a need for moral guidance from a religion.” While I personally resonate with that–I don’t think it necessarily makes someone a “true liberal” or not.

I think the best we can hope for is an environment in which freedom is at a maximum. And “freedom of religion” is necessary–but “freedom of religion to dominate” does not ultimately promote freedom; it stifles it.

To answer the original question more pointedly: I believe the form of “liberalism” on the rise (in the United States at least) is one that pines for a European-style government, that believes itself smarter than everyone else, and takes every opportunity to urinate upon Judeo-Christian religions. (Although the other religions are considered quaint and wise.)

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By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:45:05 +0000

Why look to other cultures and countries when asking this question? Instead, examples abound in the United States daily, where leftists sportingly insult and disrespect Christians, Catholic and Protestant alike, in daily conversation and the media.

Tabatha is right: “When people blindly throw their support behind an idea, be it religious or secular, scary things happen.” I’d just amend that to say “..an idea or a person” and leave it at that.

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By: Tabatha Smith

Tabatha Smith — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:45:37 +0000

I wouldn’t say that I look down on religion, what I would say is that I am severely frightened of fundamentalism coming from any source. When people blindly throw their support behind an idea, be it religious or secular, scary things happen. Ultimately I believe that monotheistic religions can be nothing but divisive and I think this is counteractive to peace. However, on an individual level when I come into contact with religious people and their ceremonies, celebrations and rituals, I am respectful, reverent and curious.

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By: Travel Writers Exchange

Travel Writers Exchange — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:19:34 +0000

Very thought provoking. In answer to your question, in my simplistic view, I believe a “true liberal” is tolerant and open minded and does not have a need for moral guidance from a religion nor do they want to change others’ beliefs. A leftist on the other hand wants to influence religion along his or her political beliefs. This is how it has been from the beginning of time. Change will happen.

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By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:45:57 +0000

Both sides can be equally as condescending.

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By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:04:23 +0000

This is an interesting point. And I think in some cases, it is probably correct. I do believe that many of us in the West do tend to look down on more traditional/religious cultures. I’m not sure that’s because they’re religious or simply because they don’t have what we have. But I would agree that there is often a sense of condescension. That being said, I see much more condescension originating from “religious” Westerners who look down on those who, they believe, are of a “lesser faith”.

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