RESPECTING MIRIAM

Miriam says: James Wolcott quotes H.L. Mencken as saying, "There is, in fact, nothing about religious opinions that entitles them to any more respect than other opinions get."

Or to any less, either, which is what they get in a lot of circles nowdays.

Can we disagree, Miriam?

First, I'm getting a little tired of right-wing whining about how misunderstood believers are. I hated walking on eggshells around blacks and other minorities, and I don't think people should walk on egg-shells around religious people, either. (Luckily, I don't have to. Because I'm a religious fanatic, too, RF's are less likely to bristle at criticism from me.) To be fair, occasionally we liberals do treat Christians with scorn. But, most of the time, what conservatives call anti-religious bigotry or, "disrespect" is simply harsh criticism. When you respect someone, you speak to them plainly. Hiding behind sanitized and sensitive expressions is not always a sign of a respect. Often, it's just patronizing.

Second, if religious people do get less respect in some circles today, there is a reason for it. Here, again, is Pete Beinart: "When you make public arguments, you have to ground them--as much as possible--in reason and evidence, things that are accessible to people of different religions, or no religion at all. Otherwise, you can't persuade other people, and they can't persuade you. In a diverse democracy, there must be a common political language, and that language can't be theological." Christians who argue in theological terms show no respect for their non-religious (or non-Christian) audiences. And arguments grounded in superstition are hard to respect.

Finally, much of what Christianity propounds is false. I don't see why I should pretend it isn't.

Update: Just lit the candles and sang Maoz Tzur. Fought-0ff Bloghead-inspired urge to render last verse* into politicaly sensitive language. No regrets.

* The last verse of Maoz Tzur:
Bare Your holy arm and hasten the time for salvation
Avenge the vengeance of Your servants' blood from the wicked nation (ie: Christianity)
For the triumph is too long delayed for us, and there is no end to days of evil
Repel the Red One (ie: Cristianity) to the nethermost shadow and establish for us the seven shepherds.