July 29, 2004

forcing your beliefs down our throats

I often hear people saying that religious people shouldn't force their beliefs on other people. This morning I heard two guys on the radio talking about stem cell research and one (the guy who supports it) said that it's fine if someone has a religious belief about it, but they shouldn't force that belief on the rest of us. After all, he said, we don't live in a theocracy.

It dawned on me that he is confusing the origin of belief with the content of belief. Obviously he thought that if a belief's origin is religious, then either it's false, or it should not be a public issue. In other words, he seems to think that a belief's origin has something to do with its content.

But that is clearly false. What if he meet someone who supported stem cell research because their religion says that stem cell research must be done. What would he think then? That this person is wrong to force her beliefs on other people because they are religious? I doubt he would say that because he supports it.

Or what if someone supported stem cell research out of spite? Does that count as an acceptable origin of belief? My point is that a belief's origin has nothing to do with its content - it has nothing to do with whether it is true or false. We should debate the truth or falsity of the claim itself, and not get off the subject by talking about it's origin. So whether a belief is religious or not doesn't matter.

* and that business about "forcing" also needs comment, but another time :). Question: Is it really possible to force someone to believe something?

Posted by Tim at July 29, 2004 08:13 AM
Comments

Tim, I really like this post. It was really helpful to have this concept of "origin of belief." You've given me something to help others understand thier convictions. It's in the morning here and I'm not explaining myself well. still, I like this post. I'll probably track back to it.

Posted by: jeff hamilton at July 30, 2004 08:49 AM

Thanks Jeff. You've got me thinking. Since I posted this I'm reminded again of how much the mass media deals in philosophy (and theology for that matter). I think I might try looking for more philosophy in the media and commenting when I can. Perhaps someone can do the same with theology.

Posted by: tim at July 31, 2004 10:54 AM