Religious Tolerance is a worthy cause

In this round, I will demonstrate that religious tolerance is immoral, as the stance of my opponent is the opposite, saving my discussion of how true tolerance is impossible for a later round. For the purposes of relevancy to this debate and the religious issues the world faces today, I will focus primarily on the world's two largest religions (based on number of followers), namely Christianity and Islam. ------------------------------------------------ Morality is, of course, a matter of opinion. Each of us is able, to a certain extent, to determine our own set of values and ideals to guide our lives. It is a general and innate rule, though, that causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or harm to a group of people is not a moral course of action. This weighs into the equation when we each determine our own moral code. However, religions often establish morals for their followers. Although not all followers of a religion follow all of that particular religion's rules – indeed, few do – the fact remains that both Christianity and Islam have established moral codes that they require of their followers. Both religions have a long, sordid history of violence and imposition that need not be explained here, as it is well-known, scarcely endorsed, and not of immediate relevance. What is important to this debate is the effect these religions continue to have on today's world. Indeed, whether or not one group, sect, or member of that religion decides to follow any particular rule or endorse any particular action or value is irrelevant, as the base religion allows for the following of that rule. Throughout history, and by all indications, into the future, people will continue to interpret both the Bible and the Koran and dedicate themselves to the tenants found within. These texts advocate and serve as the basis for atrocious acts of violence and intolerance. Again, while not all religious groups adhere to every principle these texts put forth, the fact remains that these religions allow their followers to choose to justifiably discriminate, injure, and kill other people. In short, these religions present as viable courses of action some of the most atrocious injustices imaginable. The question is: if the principles religion deems acceptable are intrinsically immoral, is it moral to tolerate that belief system? The answer is no. In fact, it is morally reprehensible to tolerate, or (according to Merriam-Webster) express "sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own". In the case of today's major religions, sympathy and indulgence are simply not valid moral options. It is possible to morally tolerate religion that inflicts a small, occasional amount of suffering or pain upon the world. For example, imagine a religion that banned its followers from brushing their teeth. While this seems like an arbitrary guideline, the world could accept it as an odd and frustrating foible. Yes, it would be annoying to be near one of the foul-breathed faithful, but a reasonable, sane citizen of the earth would be able to overcome their occasional discomfort and coexist. However, while today's actual religions do ask their followers to adhere to bizarre codes of conduct, they also step far beyond what a reasonable, sane person would consider to be morally acceptable. In fact, much of the moral code of today's major religions is markedly reprehensible. Take for an extreme example the recent sentencing of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian woman accused of adultery. According to the law of Islam, adulterous women are to be stoned to death, and this is the sentence applied to Ashtiani. This barbaric practice should by all laws of reason and morality have been outlawed by the year 2010, and it is shocking to discover that it has not. Islam is responsible for the establishment of this law, and is therefore to blame for the woman's death. However, the extremity of the above example is simply an introduction to the misery Islam daily inflicts upon both the ‘infidels' who violate its law and even upon the Muslims that adhere to it. In particular, women and homosexuals are subject to grievous injustices under the law of Islam. Whether or not every Muslim chooses to punish adulterous women or homosexuals according the Koran's prescription is irrelevant – the fact remains that, according to Islam, these punishments are justified, and as such, we continue to see them carried out. Christianity, its leaders, and its followers also promote a morality that forces unnecessary pain and hardship upon people. Take for example a major issue in American civil rights: gay marriage. While the topic has a contentious legal basis, it is nonetheless unreasonable to claim that its illegality has not caused a great deal of grief to those same-sex couples who wish to become married. Christians are some of the most vocal opponents of gay marriage, using several passages from the Bible as evidence that God forbids homosexuality. The Mormon Church, a branch of Christianity, was one of the largest contributors to the campaign to pass Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the state of California. While it is a remote possibility that Mormons funded Prop 8 solely in the interest of upholding its interpretation of the tenants of the United States constitution, it is much more likely that they used their religious doctrine as a basis, as the church is a religious organization, not a government group. As previously stated, Christianity endorses opposition to same-sex couples, with the case of the Mormon Church and Proposition 8 being only an example. If it can be agreed upon that the illegality of gay marriage has caused unnecessary suffering, and that the illegality of gay marriage is supported by Christianity, then Christianity has a share of the blame for that suffering. If we can agree that causing unnecessary suffering is immoral, and that it is immoral to tolerate immorality, then we can agree that tolerating Christianity and the belief system it promotes is immoral. Gay marriage is just one of many issues that Christians in this country attempt to regulate based on their faith. Embryonic Stem Cell research is called into question because it violates the Christian belief that ‘life begins at conception'. Abortion is viewed as a violation against the sanctity of God's creation. The teaching of evolution, now a sound scientific fact, is under fire from Christian groups who want it either removed from the curriculum or taught alongside their own origin story, Creationism. Christian ‘morals' pervade this country, and those who oppose the religious reasoning behind these measures are accused of bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance. I am sure that there are religions in the world with belief systems that are truly reasonable and moral. However, these are not the types of religions we are being asked to tolerate. Instead, we are being told to condone religions which violate basic tenants of human dignity, deprive specific groups of people of their rights, and in some cases, even advocate murder. I, for one, object.