The value that dictates political belief and the topic that we are promised the freedom to choose has become a universal joke. People who take their religion seriously, and have quite literally every right to do so, are now being held to a shameful standard.
A senior at CHS, who requested to be anonymous and who identifies as an atheist raised in a Christian family, spoke up about the issue.
“I know that people online do talk about how they think it is shameful to practice their religions or maybe even talk about it with certain friends,” the student said. “I don’t think it’s okay for people to joke about others’ religions, whether they mean to hurt the other person or not.”
No matter the religion a person follows, everyone should be treated with the same respect. Sure, jokes can be good humored—but like all things, there is a limit. How acceptable is it to joke about the sole doctrine a person could be living by, or to alienate someone for their practices? Taunting religions has been incorporated into our day to day language–in ways people would not even consider to be blasphemous. For example, the phrase ‘Hocus Pocus’ is used to describe something ridiculous or absurd. This term comes from the mocking of the Catholic Eucharist, when the priest says Hoc est Corpus unum meum, which translates from Latin as This is My Body. Even calling someone a “devil” may be very offensive to the recipient of the comment, even if it seems like a fun way to exaggerate. In many religious practices, the devil is a topic not to be taken lightly. Another example is when people joke about whether or not the thing they are doing or saying is haram, a Muslim’s belief of sin. To throw around these words and terms without knowing any greater context can be understandable, but still insensitive. Although not everyone is religious or respects religious beliefs or views, it is still expected for the average person to be aware of what they are speaking about.
Devoted people have often been marginalized by other groups who have different ideologies. In Rome’s rise, specifically in the reign of Diocletian alone, 284 AD to 303 AD, 3,500 Christians were martyred just for being Christians. Their Bibles were burned and they were forced to bow to Roman gods–if not, they would face many sufferings and eventually put to death. Their deaths were unbearable even to read aloud. After this genocide was put to much effect, some followers were tortured by being strangled, having their eyes and genitals cut, and even being burned. Others were slaughtered or given to be eaten by dogs in Roman stadiums in the face of many as a form of entertainment.
Our time period is thought to be much more inclusive now, but it surprisingly is not far off. People who are strong in their faith are being martyred even today. Muslims face government oppression in 135 countries. Christians are still being persecuted. Jews are harassed by the government in 68 countries. Past grievances only highlight the tension of current religions and the need for acceptance.
CHS should be a place where students feel free and supported to express themselves in every way needed, whether that be to stop what they are doing to pray to even just feeling comfortable talking about their doctrines. No one should be put to shame about their beliefs, and Claremont High School is the perfect place to plant that seed in children.
