Why is religious belief privileged?

[chickenfeet]

I find the debates over the wearing of veils interesting. Generally speaking I think that if someone wants to wear a veil they should. Not because it's part of their religion but because I can't think of a good reason why they shouldn't. I note though that the debate is couched almost entirely in religious terms. That prompts me to ask the question why religious beliefs should be held to justify behaviour that would be be banned or discouraged if indulged in because of other beliefs, however deeply held. For example, why should a committed nudist not be permitted to meet Mr. Jack Straw or attend a lecture at Imperial College in a state of undress? They certainly couldn't be held to be a security risk! It might be argued that nudity offends some people but that, of course, is precisely the argument used against veils.

Comments

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I realise that there is nothing particularly Islamic about veiling. Actually I don't think there's anything very unique about Islam at all. My reading of Ibn Ishaq's Life of Mohammed is pretty much that Islam is a mish mash of previously existing mumbo jumbo synthesised for the sole purpose of giving Mohammed a religion to be boss of. Comparisons with Mormonism and Scientology immediately present themselves.

I think veils are daft but I wouldn't object to someone wearing one if that's her choice. I think kilts are daft but whatever. What I'm less comfortable with is the notion that religion privileges particular choices.

[albionwood.livejournal.com]

Islam is a mish mash of previously existing mumbo jumbo synthesised for the sole purpose of giving Mohammed a religion to be boss of.

Brilliant summary!

The value of a religion might be judged by how hard people are willing to fight for control of it. If it really presented universal truths, those would be self-evident, so there would be no need to fight over slightly differing views, would there? Yet Islam split immediately upon the death of Mohammed. Christianity was factionalized even while Christ was alive.

Unitarians come off looking prety good by this measure. You don't read much about bloody struggles between factions of them.