Does anyone else think that religion is a bit of an odd protected characteristic?

[ADHDPI]

I may be way off the mark here as it is only a thought that has popped into my head just now.

As an atheist, I have quite strong feelings about religion and find it all quite bizarre and absurd. However, if I said that to someone religious in my office I could potentially be sacked due to criticism of their protected characteristic.

I just don't feel it is the same as saying a similar comment about disability, ethnicity, sex etc. Of course I don't think anyone should be actively discriminated against because of their religion, but no more so than because of the colour of someone's eyes. It doesn't effect anyone else. It's more the fact that I as an atheist cannot voice my opinion about religion without insulting a protected characteristic and vice versa.... Yet its generally OK to believe that God doesn't exist. Odd!

Thoughts? Have I missed something? Am I being far too black and white here?

I don’t think you understand protected characteristics and the equality act OP

If your job said there was now mandatory prayer and that you would be fired if you didn’t pray at work then I’m sure you’d suddenly decide that protecting your freedom of belief mattered.

Atheism falls under the same "religion or belief" protected characteristic, so your views are also protected. You are entitled to express them but not in a way that undermines the protected characteristic of another.

Presumably you wouldn't want to be discriminated against for being an atheist? To make it workable you have to protect religious believers and atheists.

I probably don't to be fair! And I'm genuinely not trying to be goady. It was just a random thought that came to me and I have learnt a fair bit already through people's responses. Just thought it would be an interesting conversation.

This is a daft argument though. I mean, I wouldn't want someone to sack me because I wear a yellow t-shirt, but I don't think the want to wear yellow t-shirts should be a protected characteristic.

That's the daft argument. There's no history of people being discriminated against nor privileged for the colour of their t-shirts. The protected characteristics are those which need protection. Homophobia, sexism, ableism, discriminating against pregnant women, racism, transphobia, religious intolerance ... all known, real issues. The latter is probably the one which has historically caused most bloodshed.

Yep that's a very good point!

Think you’re misinterpreting why it’s a protected characteristic. It’s so you can’t be discriminated against (getting a job, house etc.) because you are X religion (or not as the case may be).

I’m an atheist too but it’s pretty clear that the law in terms of religion as a protected characteristic is to protect against religious persecution, not from Dave at work saying saying moderately controversial.

@babyjellyfish thanks to Maya Forstarter, being gender critical is a protected belief

OP, I understand where you’re coming from - being religious is a choice in a way that your sex or disability is not, but is it also a major axis of discrimination. I don’t think anyone would be comfortable with businesses announcing they’re not serving Jews for example.

it leads to a delicate balancing of rights - it is perfectly acceptable for someone to be an open practising Christian, to talk about their faith and (subject to dress codes) to wear a crucifix. It is not acceptable for them to kneel at my desk praying for my salvation because I’m gay and atheist. I am perfectly free to say I don’t believe in god, it is not acceptable in the workplace for me to call someone an idiot who has an imaginary friend.

As a very lapsed Catholic, I'm not sure I agree that religion is something you choose freely.

In lots of societies, religion is deeply intertwined with ethnicity, nationality, culture, class - things you can't change and some of which are protected characteristics.

Human rights law, which underpins the Eqaulity Act, developed as a response to WW2 and the Nazi atrocities against Jewish people. The Nazis weren't really interested in how faithful or devout the Jews they persecuted were. Nazi thought was much more based on race/culture than on religious belief.

Also, thinking practically about current UK law, if (eg) religion wasn't a protected characteristic but nationality was, then if (eg) you wanted to not employ many Polish or Irish people you could just say no Catholics. So it would create a loophole.

Can you not envisage circumstances where you are discriminated against because of your religion, op? Maybe you need to read up on Northern Ireland or sectarianism in Scotland.

Is being an atheist a protected characteristic?
I thought it was just being religious that was protected.

The principles of atheism don’t require you to be rude about someone else’s faith. Just secure about your own lack of faith. Just because you don’t understand it it doesn’t mean it’s ok not to respect it.

I actually find it quite starkly offensive that in a world where anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are rife you think that people should t be protected for their beliefs.

Or is it just Christians you want to stick your boot into? Atheists do seem to think plots ok to be rude about Christianity

What does protected characteristic mean though? In religious and assume it would be fine to have a conversation in the office about how you think it’s absurd and then debate the existence (or not) of God together. Bit of an odd convo for the workplace tbh but I wouldn’t expect someone to be sacked for it. However, if an organisation started discriminating against, say, Catholics by systematically not employing them, or not giving them promotions then that’s not fair, right?

Because being able to change religions doesn’t make anti-Semitism etc ok

Have I missed something?

Most of human history.

It covers a huge range of beliefs, including atheism. If memory serves, it also vegetarianism.

Also, thinking practically about current UK law, if (eg) religion wasn't a protected characteristic but nationality was, then if (eg) you wanted to not employ many Polish or Irish people you could just say no Catholics. So it would create a loophole.
I'd not thought about it that way. It could lead to a return of the nasty no dogs, no Irish type outlooks.

Preposterous TO YOU.

Imagine being so arrogant you think your views are so important and sulk about the inability to ridicule others

Completely agree

I don't think I've mentioned a specific religion once?

You can choose not to have children, does that mean you think it’s acceptable to discriminate against mothers or pregnant women?

Yes I kind of agree. I am an ex Christian and I hate the way religious people are seen as a vulnerable group because of beliefs. A lot of religious people have pretty conservative views on sexuality and the role of women. Under scrutiny many religions do not support upholding the protected characteristics of other groups!

On the other hand I strongly believe in freedom of speech and think people should be able to have views that other people find offensive.

Its a personal thing really. I hate the way religious people are assumed to be peace loving naturally kind people.