NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok Racsim as many believe i wrong. I am one of those however recently a discussion with a housemate of mine (We are at university, i study immunolgy he studies History and politics) revealed the question, Although it is wrong to hate a person because of their colour/Race, Is it perfectly acceptable to Hate someone because of their beleifs?

Now beforte you scoff this, i am not going to give my opinion YET one way or the toher but an arguemnt for both sides follows:
A) No because hateing people for what they beleive in is a stupid idea as they have perfectly valid opinions that should be accepted in a society!
and
B) Well what about the Nazis? Let us bear in mind that Nazism had a basis of belief behind it and it is perfectly acceptable in society to hate them...why not christian or muslims?

And on a sidenote.....Why is it Illigal (in england anyway) to be antisemtic or anti sikh whereas it isnt to be anti christian or muslim?

I ask out of curiosity rather than personal belif but I will let my views known after i have heard yours :-)

Because an individual's genetic heritage is biological and religion is not?

Religion is just another variable philosophy of life, an idea, in the same way that political affiliation is an idea. Politics, religion and philosophy, like all ideas, are open to question, to debate, and of course to attack. What is more, all ideas must be kept open to debate and attack.

An individual's skin colour is not open to debate. One can always find reasons to attack the tenets of a religion or an ideology, but race has no equivalent properties - no 'idea' component which can be questioned.

And on a sidenote.....Why is it Illigal (in england anyway) to be antisemtic or anti sikh whereas it isnt to be anti christian or muslim?

Because they are usually linked to a specific ethnic/racial group. This means they are covered by anti-rascism legislation. Christainity and Islam are not.

I don't think we should hate anyone... hating ideas/beliefs, on the other hand, is different. But people ARE seperable from their ideas, largely because they can change their mind.

So to be a proper member, if you will, of the Sikh and jewish religions you have to be a particular ethnic group? but surley that could be classed almost so much as racism in itself, "you havent been born by the right parents therfore you cant be a proper member of our religion?"

but thanks for clearing that up :-)

I don't think we should hate anyone... hating ideas/beliefs, on the other hand, is different. But people ARE seperable from their ideas, largely because they can change their mind.
That's basically the way I see it. It is occasionally possible to convince an individual to change their philosophy, and more often possible to influence it. But there is no way to convince a person to say "Damn, you have swayed me by the force of your argument, I have read through those references you provided and I think I'll change my facial bone structure now."

That's why objections to race are so objectionable - because there is no dialogue to be had. People are what they are, biologically. But an idea can be challenged.

So to be a proper member, if you will, of the Sikh and jewish religions you have to be a particular ethnic group? but surley that could be classed almost so much as racism in itself, "you havent been born by the right parents therfore you cant be a proper member of our religion?"


Well, I am not totally sure, and thats why I said generally. I know you can convert into Judaism and I presume Sikhism. I think it is due to the fact that you are born into the religion, at least with Judiasm (if your mother is Jewish, you are Jewish). Not totally sure though.

But it is due them being normally being linked to a racial group, as I said before.

That's why objections to race are so objectionable - because there is no dialogue to be had. People are what they are, biologically. But an idea can be challenged.

But of course, it is far easier to pick out someone of a different colour than to bother looking at what they think, which is why rascism is so popular.

But of course, it is far easier to pick out someone of a different colour than to bother looking at what they think, which is why rascism is so popular.
Exactly. A visual cue makes it so easy. If there was no visual way of differentiating between people with different geographic origins, we would be burdened with talking to them and finding out what they think.

Hating a belief system is perfectly acceptable. I hate many belief systems, Nazism, white supremacy, and the divine right of kings among them.

Now, is it OK for me to hate a Nazi because he is a Nazi?

Perhaps yes, since as I am Jewish, Nazism is a philosophy that specifically wants me dead.

Hating a belief system is perfectly acceptable. I hate many belief systems, Nazism, white supremacy, and the divine right of kings among them.

Now, is it OK for me to hate a Nazi because he is a Nazi?

Perhaps yes, since as I am Jewish, Nazism is a philosophy that specifically wants me dead.
It's no more right for you to hate a nazi than it is for him to hate you. His belief system is another thing all together.

It's never acceptable to hate people based on single aspects of them. By all means, hold utter contempt for religions and count them off as a malus on individuals who hold them, but that alone shouldn't be reason to despise a person. I would argue that it should not be justified to hate anyone at all, but if you must hate a person, do so against only those whose every aspect you loathe.

I reserve the right to criticise and make fun of anyones beliefs be they spiritual or political. Its my right to do so.

It's no more right for you to hate a nazi than it is for him to hate you. His belief system is another thing all together.
Oh god, the "hate the sin, not the sinner, thing?"

That's too religious for my taste. :D

I think its perfectly fine to make your statements so long as there not just outright threatening to those there

But remember people tend to get beaten up for there beliefs so its best to keep your mouth shut at the bus stop/ NSG

I think it is fine to hate a person due to their belief system, because he/she chose to have that belief system. Hating people for nothing of their own doing (race/ethnicity, what their parents beliefs are/were, nationality, etc) is a whole different thing and is wrong IMO.
At the same time, I don't think you should hate anyone, because hate is a feeling that has/does/always will cause major problems in society. Not to say I don't hate anyone, because I do hate some people, but at the very least if you are going to hate someone you should know them first, not just hate them because of what they are or aren't, sometimes if you get to know them they will surprise you with their individual feelings on things (sometimes people who put themselves into groups are not always exactly in agreement with their respective groups)