Dharma World

October-December 2012, Volume 39

October-December 2012, Volume 39(PDF)

Religions Coping with Prejudice

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines prejudice as a judgment or opinion formed before the facts are known, and it implies a preconceived and unreasonable judgment or opinion, usually an unfavorable one marked by suspicion, fear, or hatred.

The classic social-psychological definition of prejudice is the one put forth by Gordon Allport in 1954, which explains, “Prejudice is an antipathy based on faulty and inflexible generalization. It may be felt or expressed. It may be directed toward a group or an individual of that group.

Prejudice can be based on various factors, and some of the most well-known types of prejudice include religious prejudice. A recent (2009) analysis by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies (of a survey based on telephone interviews) shows that 43 percent of Americans admitted to feeling at least “a little” prejudice toward Muslims. In Japan, religions, especially new religions, sometimes arouse suspicion or even fear.

Many people’s attitudes toward particular religions are based on stereotypes, such as that some religions encourage violence or exploit people for their influence or wealth. These stereotypes are sometimes reinforced by media reports of religion-related incidents, such as terrorism and fraud.

It is also true that some religions have allowed or promoted discrimination based on gender, ethnic background, or sexual orientation. Also, while many religions teach tolerance and compassion for those who are different, these teachings are ignored by extremists who exploit prejudices to promote hatred and violence.

The feature pages will address how religions cope with the problem of prejudice, examining how prejudice occurs, how it affects understanding of other people, how it impedes interfaith dialogue, and in what way it could be replaced by tolerance and compassion, thereby contributing to the peaceful coexistence of all people and religions.

Dharma World

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  12. January-June 2018, Volume 45

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  14. January-June 2017, Volume 44

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  16. July-September 2016, Volume 43

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  17. April-June 2016, Volume 43

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  19. October-December 2015, Volume 42

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  20. July-September 2015, Volume 42

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  21. April-June 2015, Volume 42

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  22. January-March 2015, Volume 42

    Cultivating Hearts That Welcome the Other

  23. October-December 2014, Volume 41

    Buddhism and Language

  24. July-September 2014, Volume 41

    Life After Death

  25. April-June 2014, Volume 41

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  26. January-March 2014, Volume 41

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  27. October-December 2013, Volume 40

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  28. July-September 2013, Volume 40

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  29. April-June 2013, Volume 40

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  30. January-March 2013, Volume 40

    Transforming Greed

  31. October-December 2012, Volume 39

    Religions Coping with Prejudice

  32. July-September 2012, Volume 39

    The Significance of Religious Communities

  33. April-June 2012, Volume 39

    Buddhist Teachings on Spiritual Liberation

  34. January-March 2012, Volume 39

    The Meaning of Modern Pilgrimage

  35. October-December 2011, Volume 38

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  36. July-September 2011, Volume 38

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  37. April-June 2011, Volume 38

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  38. January-March 2011, Volume 38

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  42. January-March 2010, Volume 37

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  43. July-September 2009, Volume 36

    Religion and Prayer

  44. July-September 2009, Volume 36

    Religion and Media

  45. April-June 2009, Volume 36

    Religion and Health

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    The Meaning of Giving in the Contemporary World

  48. July-September 2008, Volume 35

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  49. April-June 2008, Volume 35

    The Many Forms of the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin

  50. January-March 2008, Volume 35

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  52. July-September 2007, Volume 34

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  53. April-June 2007, Volume 34

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  56. July-September 2006, Volume 33

    Religions Working for Peace

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    Creating the World of the One Vehicle: The Centennial of the Birth of Rev. Nikkyo Niwano

  58. January-February 2006, Volume 33

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  62. May-June 2005, Volume 32

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  64. January-February 2005, Volume 32

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    Peace Building Through Multi-Religious Cooperation

  66. September-October 2004, Volume 31

    The Increasing Importance of Dialogue and Cooperation

  67. July-August 2004, Volume 31

    Paths to Reconciliation

  68. May-June 2004, Volume 31

    Religion in Crisis

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    Spiritual Friendship

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    Resolving Conflict

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  78. September-October 2002, Volume 29

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  79. July-August 2002, Volume 29

    The Most Reverend Samuel Ruiz Garcia, Recipient of the 19th Niwano Peace Prize

  80. May-June 2002, Volume 29

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  81. March-April 2002, Volume 29

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  82. January-February 2002, Volume 29

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