Reply #90: Okay to criticize ideas, but not categories of people. [View All]

[Deep13]

Religious ideas are just ideas and as far as criticism goes, it is open season as far as I'm concern.

Religious people, however, should not be judged by the group. "The Jews control the media!" Well, no, there is no "the Jews." Some Jews might have influential positions in media companies, but that does not justify the implication that the whole group somehow controls media as a single mind. I take this view despite the fact that religion is not integral to a person as he or she may change his or her mind at will.

The other categories you mention (which I cannot help noticing does not include gender) are not ideas, but are integral to the person. While there may be characteristics that are more prevalent in some groups than others, it remains wrong to judge an individual by those standards. Most Black voters support Obama, but that does not mean Black Americans as a group are necessarily Obama supports as though it was an immutable part of their personalities.

I think the word "attack" is a bit melodramatic. It is never okay to attack someone, but that is different than criticism.