Discrimination and religion

Religion is important in relation to discussions about discrimination. Discrimination in the generic sense is differential treatment on the basis of specific features. This chapter distinguishes between different philosophical issues about religion and discrimination. The distinction between the nature of the patient and the reason or cause for why the patient is being discriminated against is also relevant to highlight that it is often the very act of discrimination that constitutes or constructs a certain category. The interesting question about religious discrimination is when (if ever) it makes a difference for the wrongness or permissibility of discriminatory acts that they are religious. Consequentialist arguments for the wrongness of discrimination against religion hinge on bad effects actually obtaining. Consequentialist justifications for permissions to discriminate can alternatively appeal to good effects for the members of the religious group rather than for society as a whole.