Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Atheists & Agnostics

In reply to the discussion: Religious Privilege [View all]

Heddi

(18,312 posts)
9. Religious privilege is being unaware of religious privilege.
Mon Aug 4, 2014, 08:01 PM
Aug 2014

Not having to worry about it, not being aware of it, and not being affected by it negatively.

Religious privilege is being able to boil down "religious privilege" to "ooh, you're upset about some words on the dollar bill? Pick your battles."

Assuming that when you ask people to bow their heads and pray, that everyone will and no one would have a problemw ith it.

Assuming that when an invocation is given before a football game or town hall meeting or meeting at work, that it's welcome by everyone in attendance

Knowing that the basic tenants of your religious beliefs are codified into law, and that they are well-represented by all members of government, from dog-catcher to president to supreme court, and everyone in between.

Never having to think about whether it's offensive to tell someone you're praying for them. Never having to think about asking someone what Church they go to. Never having to wonder whether it's okay to tell someone about how they can become born-again, or saved.

Never worrying about being allowed days off during your high holidays. Never having to assume that your major holidays won't be given a preference for Federal and State holidays.

Nope. Religious privilege means willfully ignoring or just being ignorant of the above, and boiling it all down to people being mad about "In God We Trust" on our money.

That's what religious privilege is.

Religious Privilege [View all] Lordquinton Aug 2014 OP
Some thought of my own Lordquinton Aug 2014 #1
It is not as bad in the UK as in the US but ... intaglio Aug 2014 #2
I was going to say the same, mr blur Aug 2014 #4
Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2014 #3
In most places in the U.S., there's no way an atheist could get elected to office theHandpuppet Aug 2014 #5
Grew up Red State, moved to West Coast... onager Aug 2014 #6
I'm curious -- Arugula Latte Aug 2014 #19
I usually finesse it... onager Aug 2014 #22
About the only place it doesn't exist is in certain European countries. trotsky Aug 2014 #7
And we are supposed to not be in your face about it on DU either LostOne4Ever Aug 2014 #12
I think it is really interesting Goblinmonger Aug 2014 #8
Religious privilege is being unaware of religious privilege. Heddi Aug 2014 #9
Excellent list, Heddi theHandpuppet Aug 2014 #11
Ooh, I missed this post, Heddi. trotsky Aug 2014 #21
I don't consider it just "religious privilege" Curmudgeoness Aug 2014 #10
I agree with you on this in America Lordquinton Aug 2014 #14
It doesn't include those groups unless Atheists show up to the party Act_of_Reparation Aug 2014 #15
"Not all faiths are equally privileged, but all are privileged above a lack of faith." theHandpuppet Aug 2014 #16
I would even go so far as to say skepticscott Aug 2014 #17
Use it to your advantage! AlbertCat Aug 2014 #13
Billy should have tried that Capt. Obvious Aug 2014 #18
You all make many valid points. JNelson6563 Aug 2014 #20
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»Religious Privilege»Reply #9