So, recently I was talking to a friend and somehow we got to talking about religion and stuff. When I complained that religion is often put on a huge pedestal and that it’s really just a glorified opinion and should be subject to the same criticism as any other opinion, they told me that that was a really hot take.
According to them, belief and religion is more than just an opinion since it’s such a big part of people’s lives. I countered that opinions are also big parts of people’s lives and personalities. I mean, a huge chunk of your personality is based on your opinions, right?
We agreed to disagree but I kept thinking about it. I don’t get why religion shouldn’t just be treated like any other opinion just because people tend to cling to it. I get that it people are emotionally invested but that’s not just the case with religion but other opinions too. I would appreciate your thoughts to help me understand better, is it really a hot take?
Even things you are certain to be true can turn out to be false. Does that make all knowledge opinion?
There’s a reason it’s seen as cowardly to say “Well that’s just my opinion” when one says something generally disturbing. Opinions are meant to be flexible and malleable. Values and beliefs, less so.
So for one example, let’s say “women belong in the home and shouldn’t be working or voting.” If you believe that, you think that’s how society would function better, the family unit, etc… by strictly limiting what others are able or meant to achieve in life.
Thats why that strawman ‘opinion’ would get pushback. It isn’t a passing thought. It’s more than that and has become a belief or a value, something that is harder to challenge.
I gotta say that this was actually a fantastic question. I enjoyed thinking this out.