A sociology student's take on religious discrimination exists and why a course in Religion could fundamentally change that forever.

1. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
“Love thy Neighbour”:
Religious Discrimination and How to Eradicate it
To limit further discrimination and preventable hate crimes, adults as well as children should be
required to be educated on religions other than their own. Some critics argue that some parents are
against other religious views that they believe would invoke harm to their children and that such
parents (for one reason or another) have reason for denying their children access to alternative religious
views. They also argue that a mandatory RE class's usefulness to humanity is highly debatable when
compared to other topics such as algebra (being universally good) or racism (being universally bad).
However, surrounded in a world of imminent globalization, even a more educated and understanding
society could invoke change that still influences that child firsthand to religious education, even
without the involvement of educating the child through a comparative religions course. Furthermore,
hate crimes will continue to have justification so long as people remain ignorant.
Despite the United State's claim of religious tolerance as a cornerstone of our society, religious
discrimination is nothing new to America. But what is religious discrimination? The United States
Equal Opportunity Commission (US EOC) lists religious discrimination as “treating a person (an
applicant or employee) unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs”(n.d.). Discrimination from
a symbolic interactionist's point of view exists because the people of different religions and beliefs
choose to view themselves as different from one another. Discrimination will stop when people stop
seeing one another in this way. According to the OCRT (Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance),
reasons that may cause religious discrimination or violence include (but are not limited to): “lack of
accurate knowledge, fear, conflict of science and religion, lack of doubt, linking religion with
nationalism, and dualistic thinking.”(Possible causes, aggravating factors, & examples, n.d.).
Starting with Native Americans' beliefs being “superstitions”, and furthering out to the KKK's

2. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
assault in the name of Christianity, our citizens have been far from tolerant. The first appliance of
religious tolerance in America was not until 1649 in Maryland. 15 years earlier, however, freedom of
religion was being applied in the founding of said colony(Finkelman, 2006). Fast forward to the past 23
years, and hate crimes related to religious differences are still going on. In 1995, the FBI reported 1,277
offenses (out of a total 7,947) due to religious bias, equaling 16% of hate crimes that year (Federal
Bureau of Investigation, n.d.). In 2013, they reported 1,163 cases due to religious bias, equaling 16.8%
of all hate crimes within that year(Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2014). This means that although
slowly, the number of religious hate crimes is steadily increasing. In addition, Pew Research Center
performed a study in 2013 on the ranking of countries in social hostility and government restrictions on
religions. On a scale of 0-10 in social hostility, the US ranked a 3.1. Compare this to the US' 1.9 in
2007. For global comparison, Italy was ranked a 1.9 in 2007, and a 3.7 in 2013; Japan a 0.4, and later a
2.4; Mexico previously 5.5 and now 3.7; the UK a 1.6 but now 5.4, Germany a 2.1, now 4.3; India at
8.8, now growing to 9, and China from 0.9 to 4.4(Religious Hostilities, 2014). For the majority of
countries, the numbers have increased since 2007.
This shows that religious differences are creating more tension and intolerance than they were
only 6 years prior to the study, emphasizing how important it is to do something about religious
differences. The United States has already implemented policy measures in an attempt to rectify it such
as Title II and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Violent Crime Control Act of ‘94 and Religious
Freedom Restoration Act, but due to Separation of Church and State, the United States Government can
only do so much. Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination including religion in
public goods and services(Title II of the Civil Rights Act,1964) . Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 prohibits discrimination including religion in buying or renting a dwelling(Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act,1964). The Civil Rights Act also allows for federal prosecution of anyone who "willingly

3. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
injures, intimidates or interferes with another person, or attempts to do so, by force because of the other
person's race, color, religion or national origin"(Federally Protected Activities, 18 U.S. Code § 245 (2)).
The Violent Crime Control Act of '94 acts to increase the penalties for hate crimes committed for race,
color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or gender. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act "ensures
that interests in religious freedom are protected"(Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 1993).
A compulsory Comparative Religions class could be essential to lowering, if not eradicating,
religious discrimination. Numerous other countries already have this policy in place such as Finland,
the United Kingdom, Japan, and Austria. Some countries even offer a choice between Ethics and
Comparative Religions. The United States needs to also get behind this policy, as it has numerous
benefits for individuals. For example, lessons taught from a comparative religions class (especially so
for younger generations), will be used every day in the globalized world. Workers are expected to talk
or collaborate now daily with those from different backgrounds, traditions and religious beliefs not
only nationwide, but sometimes worldwide. Those who do not understand beliefs or backgrounds may
have trouble working with other people. It is imperative that we as a collective population ensure we
become educated and adept at considering alternate perspectives. In 2010, A study was done by Pew
Research Center on religious knowledge known by religious groups. Americans on average answered
16 of the 32 questions correctly (Pew Research Center, 2010). This means that the United States is far
from religiously understanding. Thomas Jefferson once said, "Though [the people] may acquiesce, they
cannot approve what they do not understand." (Educating the People, n.d.) In order to properly do
something about the amount of discrimination, Americans should first understand what it is they are
dealing with.
Secondly, learning from a government-mandated curriculum would mean everything is taught
in an objective, secular manner, ensuring nothing but facts without twisting the truth. It would set out a

4. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
religious studies curriculum that is both inclusive and discursive. When asked how their comparative
religions curriculum could be bettered, Modesto's high school wrote, “Neutrality requires that public
schools neither encourage nor discourage the holding of religious beliefs. Decisions about students’
religious beliefs must be left up to parents, religious communities and students themselves. Omitting
the darker side of religion may illegitimately encourage students to adopt or deepen their religious
beliefs. It alienates non-religious students and parents by failing to recognize their concerns and
perspectives on organized religion”(Lester, E., 2008). Although viewed as difficult, it is possible to
create an objective curriculum that leaves the students to change their belief or not if wanted.
In addition, a national curriculum would challenge dogmatism, which one could compare with
the subjective and biased point of views some religious groups use to attract newcomers. In the same
study by Pew Research Center, they found that for Christian religions (Mormon, Evangelist, etc.)
Mormons scored the highest on knowledge of Christianity and the bible at a lacking 7.9/12. This means
that other christian religions scored even lower. “Nearly six-in-ten U.S. adults say that religion is 'very
important' in their lives, and roughly four-in-ten say they attend worship services at least once a week.
But the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey shows that large numbers of Americans are uninformed
about the tenets, practices, history and leading figures of major faith traditions – including their own”
(Pew Research Center, 2010). This may have been caused by twisted words, misinterpretation of the
bible, or simply lack of knowledge. Taking these courses should not only thoroughly detail Christianity,
but the other major religions as well.
Finally, people who have a better understanding of other faiths and beliefs are less likely to be
contemptuous toward issues that have no immediate influence on themselves, while also promoting
integration into a community. A study was done in Modesto, California on the effect a Comparative
Religions class for students. Students took a survey at the beginning of the year and at the end, and

5. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
some students were also interviewed afterward. Students were asked if they would permit their “least-
liked” group to run for public office, teach in public schools, make a public speech, and hold public
rallies. While the amount of increase varied per question, all questions had an increase of likelihood at
the end of the year, supporting respect and tolerance in a community. In addition, the number of
students that agreed with basic respect for religious rights and liberties (religious symbols on clothes,
displays outside home) increased after taking the course. Students who believed that their families may
become a victim of a terrorist attack within the next six months dropped for 17% to 13% (Lester,
2008). These studies show that taking a comparative religions class not only increases tolerance and
understanding in a community, but also helps individuals feel safer among religious groups.
A student was interviewed on if he became more interested in religions because of the course.
He replied, “...[it] will really help my career. There are certain things that they may not agree with and
in your own religion it's really not that bad. So it helps you treat them with the respect that they want
and that they deserve.” Another student replied, “It helps to know about others' religion when you talk
to them because you don't want to say something bad about their religion that affects them. Even if you
don't wish to accept or believe all religions, you should have knowledge about them.” When asked if
they have learned more on something through the course, a student replied, “I think [it helps] when you
see things and you don't understand why they do this. You understand they have certain reasons why
they perform these rituals”(Lester, 2008).
When given a religious knowledge test prior to taking the course, students averaged a 37.4%.
After taking the course, it jumped to a 66.4%, a 29% increase. The course tested was only a nine-week,
(one semester) course, and several scholars have argued that schools should implement world religions
classes one semester or longer. “In addition to deepening students’ long-term respect for religious
liberty, a longer course would enable students to learn about the denominational differences within

6. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
religions, and would provide them with a better grasp of the lived experience of each religion. A large
number of the students we interviewed supported a longer course for the last two reasons.(Lester, E.,
2008)” With a longer course, religious knowledge test-takers would likely have significantly higher
results than listed in this study, and thus being a more successful fix. When asked what could be
improved with the course, one student said “I think religion should be a two-semester class so that we
could learn more,” while another student added, “I agree with her because we have to split the time
with geography”(Lester, 2008).
Surprisingly, very little controversial fights broke out when working to start this curriculum.
“...The course has not sparked any legal or constitutional complaints. Parents have the right to opt their
children out of the course, but according to Linda Erickson, an average of only two or three out of
3,000 students annually make use of this option”(Lester, 2008). There is clearly a very small amount of
students who had taken the opportunity to opt out, and naturally these numbers will fluctuate based on
location and religious beliefs. If they were to opt out of the comparative religions class, a secondary
option such as ethics may be suitable to take in place. However, many believe that understanding is the
only way to tolerance, and by opting out of a religious education class, they may be missing out on a
very important step for society. “Religious and denominational intolerance will be eliminated only
when people are more understanding of the intrinsic worth of religious views and traditions that are not
their own. An effective religious education program gives accurate information and demonstrates
respect for all world faiths.” (NL Kindergarten Religious Education Interim Curriculum Guide, 2008).
By taking the course, there would be a greater positive effect on the individual than going without.
It's difficult to know for sure if it's educating the individuals that matters or if it is the curiosity
in the individuals that leads to increased tolerance. But based on these studies, if the US were to have a
nationalized course on comparative religions, religious discrimination would decrease dramatically.

7. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
Taking the course provides the necessary skills to advance in this day and age of globalization without
harm of others and has shown an increase in tolerance, respect, and religious knowledge overall with
students. Even more, having these tolerances inspires and builds a more integrated community that
lacks ignorance and dogmatism. Until something is done about educating the general public,
discrimination is going to be a problem in our nation. We have the ability to change that through this
curriculum.

8. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
Smith, R. (2005) "A place for religion." New Scientist 188.2527: 22. Academic OneFile. Retrieved 3
June, 2015.
Lester, E. (2007). A More Neutral Liberal Education: Why Not Only Liberals, But Religious
Conservatives Should Endorse Comparative Religious Education in Public Schools. Polity, 39(2),
179-207.
Jensen, T. (2008). RS based RE in Public Schools: A Must for a Secular State. Numen: International
Review For The History Of Religions, 55(2/3), 123-150. doi:10.1163/156852708X283023
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states/religious_discrimination.htm
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Federal Bureau of Investigation (n.d.) Uniform Crime Reports - Hate Crime Statistics 1995. Retrieved
July 4, 2015, from https://www2.fbi.gov/ucr/hatecm.htm
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Offenses. Retrieved July 4, 2015 from https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/hate-
crime/2013/topic-pages/incidents-and-offenses/incidentsandoffenses_final
United States Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission (n.d.) Religious Discrimination.
Retrieved July 5, 2015, from http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/religion.cfm
Pew Research Center. (2014, January 14). Religious Hostilities Reach Six-Year High. Retrieved July 1,
2015, from http://www.pewforum.org/2014/01/14/religious-hostilities-reach-six-year-high/
Barrett, D. et al, "World Christian Encyclopedia: A comparative survey of churches and religions -
AD 30 to 2200," Oxford University Press, (2001).

9. Sarah Arab
07/13/2015
Sociology 1010
Possible causes, aggravating factors, & examples. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2015, from
http://www.religioustolerance.org/relconcaus1.htm
Lester, E., & Roberts, P. (2011). Learning about World Religions in Modesto, California: The Promise
of Teaching Tolerance in Public Schools. Politics and Religion, 264-288. Retrieved July 7, 2015,
from Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
Pew Research Center. (2010) U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey. Retrieved from
http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey/
Educating the People. (n.d.) Thomas Jefferson on Politics and Government. Retrieved from
http://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/thomasjefferson/jeff1350.htm
Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (1993) 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb