By DANIEL C. DENNETT - THE WASHINGTON POST
Added: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 UTC

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/daniel_c_dennett/2010/01/religious_no_longer_a_protected_class.html

Q: Is there widespread media bias against Christianity? Against evangelicals such as Brit Hume and Sarah Palin? Against public figures who speak openly and directly about their faith? Against people who believe as you do?

There is no media bias against Christianity. If it appears to some people that there is, it is probably because after decades of hyper-diplomacy and a generally accepted mutual understanding that religion was not to be criticized, we have finally begun breaking through that taboo and are beginning to see candid discussions of the varieties of religious folly in American life. Activities that would be condemned by all if they were not cloaked in the protective mantle of religion are beginning to be subjected to proper scrutiny.

There is still a lot to accomplish however. We need to change the prevailing assumptions in the same way that public opinion has been reversed on drunk driving. When I was young, drunk drivers tended to be excused because, after all, they were drunk! Today, happily, we hold them doubly culpable for any misdeeds they commit while under the influence.

I look forward to the day when violence done under the influence of religious passion is considered more dishonorable, more shameful, than crimes of avarice, and is punished accordingly, and religious leaders who incite such acts are regarded with the same contempt that we reserve for bartenders who send dangerously disabled people out onto the highways.
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http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/daniel_c_dennett/2010/01/religious_no_longer_a_protected_class.html

TAGGED: COMMENTARY, HUMAN RIGHTS, RELIGION