Today's Sightings draws upon last week's report of a Pew Research Center survey identifying the targets of the most “discrimination” (which in most cases is based in, related to, or magnified by “hate”) in the United States. Pew notes that 82% of polled Americans think that Muslims are the most targeted victims of discrimination, with 57% saying they face “a lot” of discrimination, up 12% since 2013. They passed up blacks, LGBTs, Jews—and, oh, yes, evangelicals (?)—as those who suffer the most discrimination. It's an ever-changing scene; yes, “hate is mobile”—and portable.
One might wish or hope that religion and religions would help turn away haters and counter hate, but just the opposite is visible. “Hate” and group animosities show up on the first pages of the Hebrew Scriptures/Bible, as they do in most holy books of faith communities. Almost all of these texts also propose, envision, or command the pursuit of ways for love and understanding to counter hate—and for, say, “acceptance” to win over “discrimination.” But 2016 was not the year to see much of that, despite some good efforts by Pope Francis and many less well-known charismatic, courageous, and tireless leaders and ordinary folk in their faith communities.
Read Full Article »