Tuesday 22 February 2011

Religious Intolerants


This may end up being a post series, since there are so many examples that one could cite for the religious being intolerant of others. Whether it's Muslims flying planes into buildings (no link needed I trust) or rioting/killing over cartoons of Mohammed, Xians petitioning for their right to be bigots or killing abortion providers, or Jewish communities that try to impose their religious values on all those around them or theocratic Jews making pronouncements about the role of gentiles (to serve the Jews) - examples abound.

Instead, today I'd like to focus on something else - a sports story from the midwest.
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fourteen-year-old wrestler Cassy Herkelman doesn't need anybody protecting her from anything. She's broken her collarbone, split her lip, deviated her septum, wrecked her elbow, all from wrestling. She's about as dainty as a forklift.

She's her district's pony-tailed, 112-pound champion wrestler, boy or girl, kangaroo or camel. She's not a tulip, isn't a Jane Austen character, and doesn't wilt in the heat.

So why did her first opponent in the Iowa state high school wrestling tournament default rather than wrestle her?

Because "wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," said 16-year-old home-schooled sophomore Joel Northrup, in a statement. "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner."

Why am I not surprised that Joel is home-schooled? But, yes, it's a matter of his faith (religion) that he's not supposed to competitively wrestle a young woman and it shows another example of religious bigotry, this time aimed at women.
"We believe in the elevation and respect of woman," the father told the Des Moines Register, "and we don't think that wrestling a woman is the right thing to do. Body slamming and takedowns -- full contact sport is not how to do that."

Yes, of course, the old, "We respect women, so we have to ensure that we treat them like delicate flowers that need to always be protected and kept away from anything that might offend their delicate sensibilities." Nevermind the fact that she had earned her way to the state tournament by...(wait for it)...wrestling. But, if his religion teaches him this, then it's quite plainly teaching him sexism and intolerance.

I do, however, need to take issue with one thing the author states:
I don't feel as bad for Cassy as I do for Joel. He was the fifth-ranked wrestler in the state at 112 pounds. He was 35-4. He had a chance to win the whole thing. In Iowa, that means a lifetime of people buying you lunch. It's corn-state royalty. To give all that up to protect a girl who loathes being protected? What a waste of a dream.

In no way would I ever think that him throwing away his chance at winning a competition should make us feel sorrier for him than the sexism that she has endured in this. I do, however, feel some sympathy for him, and here's why. This stance of his is a learned behavior. He's been indoctrinated into a religion that teaches sexism and intolerance. Here's to hoping that one day we can all throw off the shackles of religious intolerance and make the world a better place.

13 comments:

Tigerboy said...

That is so funny! My initial reaction to this story was:

"Of course! It was so predictable that the kid would be home-schooled!"

I was totally disappointed in Cassy Herkleman's own father offering his support and understanding to Joel Northrup. Way to encourage your own daughter's dreams, Dad!

I say, if these home-schoolers don't want to participate in society, and they want to keep their kids at home, studying the Bible and 1st century Gender Studies--let 'em!

(I mean, it's very sad for the kids.)

They do their children no favors. These children will grow up ill-prepared to take their places in 21st Century society. Do they receive ANY science instruction (outside of an occasional field trip to The Creation Museum to play with dinosaurs and ride Noah's Ark)?

Joel (or Joel's parents) wanted to hide from modern society. That is, until Joel wanted to participate in something that required cooperation with members of a more general group. Then, he couldn't hack it.

Welcome to the real world, Joel!

Girls get to play, too!

No. I feel no pity for Joel Northrup. And, I don't much care for the tone of the interviews I've seen with him. Most have been like: "What a wonderfully principled young man!" Yeah, a principled young man who refused to follow the rules of a competition, and who just made Cassy Herkleman (and all the other girls) feel like her efforts are not taken the least bit seriously.

"Go play Barbies!"

Do we support our girls' athletic and scholastic aspirations, or not? Cassy's own Dad does not.

Would the media have found the story as charming if Joel had refused to wrestle a black person? Or, a Muslim? Joel can't operate in a diverse society. Too bad. So sad.

Back to the basement with your "Ten Commandments" flash cards, Joel! The kids who participate in modern society are going to the Iowa State Wrestling Championships. Should be a lot of fun.

Cassy Herkleman has earned a seat at the FRONT of the bus.

Evil_Dynasty said...

I think it is ridiculous that you guys are spinning this so that you can bash both home-schooling and Christianity, when it clearly has nothing to do with either. You are simply resorting to ad-hominem in order to fit the storyline of your website.

Despite what Joel's religious affiliation or educational methods happen to be, the fact is that he obviously does not feel comfortable wrestling with, and in all likelihood hurting, a girl who is two years younger than himself.

This has nothing to do with intolerance, sexism, or bigotry, as you would have people believe. He simply does not believe that it is appropriate for a girl and boy to be engaged in a combat sport with one another, and frankly, most of the world agrees with him. It simply means he has standards, and he is not afraid to abide by them.

Despite what you may personally believe, there are in fact many important differences that separate the male and female gender. The physical differences, outside of the obvious anatomical ones, are that men are, and always have been, the stronger of the species. Muscle strength, body fat percentage, cardiovascular endurance, reflexes, and core strength are just a few of the naturally occuring "advantages" men have over women (physically).

In your view, this would make them (men) evolutionarily predisposed to serve as the hunter gatherers/protectors of the species. In other religous views, this role is often defined by a purposeful design implementation, but the outcome remains the same regardless. This is why our society has for the most part, adopted the concepts of chivalry, exclusion of women in armed-combat situations, protection of and defense of women, and rightful outrage of male brutality and abuse against women.

Although, following your logic, we should no longer adhere to these principles. In your view, if I beat the piss out of some woman at a bar, it's perfectly justifiable as a simple "bar fight", as if it was just another random bloke looking for an ass-kicking (assuming she was asking for it, of course). Your dilemma of equalizing the two genders really leaves yourself open for these type of scenarios. In fact, let's just throw women in jail with men while we're at it, since gender differences are so inconsequential according to you. Certainly nothing could go wrong in that experiment in the name of equality.

Your attempt at equating this story with terrorist attacks, or "killing abortion providers" is laughable at best. You are very keen on fabricating hyperbole to push your agenda, but the argument is a very weak and transparent one to most any discerning, logic-minded individual.

In fact, one could say that it is your "intolerance" of Joel's beliefs that would FORCE him, and I'm sure many others in his position, to engage in such a controversial match-up in the first place. That charge, I believe, would be more apropos in this situation, considering your stance on this issue is somewhat fringe, and a little extreme.

Why not make three leagues, one for just women, one for women and men, and one for just men? Then we can give people a choice, rather than forcing some oximoronical gender equality experiment down people's throats, despite the intolerance of such a position. Then we will see who signs up for which league, and democracy will prevail. Sound good?

Of course, to your disappointment, some guys will inevitably sign up for the coed league, simply for the sexual pleasure of rolling around with a girl; which kind of defeats the argument for equality once again.

Tigerboy said...

Evil_Dynasty:

---" . . . you guys are spinning this so that you can bash both home-schooling and Christianity, when it clearly has nothing to do with either."

From Joel's press statement:

---"As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner."

So much for it having nothing to do with his faith.

I thought we were discussing the rights of girls to participate in athletics. Who said anything about bar fights?

Evil_Dynasty said...

Regardless of Joel's religious underpinnings, the point is that he did not feel comfortable engaging in a combative sport with a female, and rightfully so. Whether or not Joel was Christian, home-schooled, or rode the dinosaurs at the Creation Museum, does not have any bearing on the relevance of the issue.

Society, by and large, has rejected the notion that men and women are entirely equal, as it pertains to physical prowess and competition. This is why we see women leagues in almost every non-combative sport, where full-contact occurrences are limited. If non-combative sports are, and always have been separated by gender, then it stands to reason that certainly combative sports should be (and for the most part are).

Society has recognized the physiological differences between men and women, and they have nothing to do with religion or faith. Certainly you could find many other examples of this so-called "sexism" taking place in such a scenario with the antagonist being instead a Muslim, Jew, agnostic, or atheist. But once again, this would not fit into your preconceived, anti-Christian storyline.

And if you were simply discussing the "rights of girls to participate in athletics", why bring up religion in the first place? Obviously you do not realize that social doctrine has been formed around these pretenses of gender divergence, and for good reason. It is your (and those like you) intolerance of the majority of the country's views on this issue, as well as your apparent ignorance of anatomical distinction and necessary roles within the human species, that would force a boy to engage a girl in full-contact sports in the first place.

Tigerboy said...

---"Society, by and large, has rejected the notion that men and women are entirely equal, as it pertains to physical prowess and competition. This is why we see women leagues in almost every non-combative sport . . .

And, had an Iowa Women's High School Wrestling League been available to Cassy Herkleman, there would have been no problem. Given the current bloodbath of educational and extracurricular budget slashing that the Republicans are running rampant across the land, I think these kids should consider themselves extremely lucky to have the one league that they do.

WHAT SOCIETY HAS FOUND, according to Title IX is:

---"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..."

No one is claiming that Joel Northrup be "forced" to do anything that makes him uncomfortable. No one "forced" him to participate in wrestling in the first place!

But, now that he has decided to participate in wrestling, he may not dictate the terms of who else may participate, which is what he is trying to do.

Again I ask:

Would the media have found the story as charming if Joel had refused to wrestle a black person?

By participating in wrestling, but only up to and until the time that he came across an opponent his religion taught him was unequal, unworthy, Joel is saying that it is right that boys get to wrestle, but that girls do not deserve equal opportunities.

Again, a Women's League was not available to Cassy.

No one is forcing Joel to do anything. Neither will he get my sympathy. To feel sorry for Joel is to say that he was entitled to play, but Cassy was an intruder.

Sorry.

Cassy has every bit the same right to play, as does Joel. If Joel wishes to play the game, he must let the game determine who is his worthy opponent.

And, the situation is not "regardless of Joel's religious underpinnings . . . " From his very own mouth come the words that identify his faith as the reason for his decision.

Joel has spent his life in the basement, learning his Ten Commandments flash cards. It is not a surprise that he has not learned to get along with others in a situation that MUST take into account FAIRNESS for all parties, even those students whom Joel's religion has taught him are not as good as men.

Embrace the archaic bigotry and sexism that is in the Bible, if you choose. Do not bring it into our public schools.

GCT said...

Evil Dynasty,
"I think it is ridiculous that you guys are spinning this so that you can bash both home-schooling and Christianity, when it clearly has nothing to do with either."

As Tigerboy pointed out, he clearly stated that it had everything to do with his Xian faith.

"...he obviously does not feel comfortable wrestling with, and in all likelihood hurting..."

Cause she's all delicate and stuff? Nevermind the fact that she wrestled her way to that position.

"This has nothing to do with intolerance, sexism, or bigotry, as you would have people believe."

Yes, it does as it's predicated on the religious teaching that women are too delicate to engage in contact sports, something that you seem to agree with.

"...most of the world agrees with him."

Argument ad populum.

"The physical differences, outside of the obvious anatomical ones, are that men are, and always have been, the stronger of the species."

On average this is true, but it does not mean that all men are stronger than women and will hurt them if engaged in a contact sport.

"Although, following your logic, we should no longer adhere to these principles."

Nice slippery slope, but would it surprise you to learn that I don't agree with a few of your list? I don't see why women shouldn't be allowed to fight on the front lines if they so choose to go into infantry or some other combat unit, for instance. As for brutality and violence against women, see below.

"In your view, if I beat the piss out of some woman at a bar, it's perfectly justifiable as a simple "bar fight", as if it was just another random bloke looking for an ass-kicking (assuming she was asking for it, of course)."

I would say violence against anyone is wrong (except in just war case scenarios and self-defense). You shouldn't beat the piss out of anyone at the bar unless you're personally in danger and need to for self-defense. And, even then you should extricate yourself from it as quickly and painlessly (for all parties involved) as possible.

"Your attempt at equating this story with terrorist attacks, or "killing abortion providers" is laughable at best."

Read it again. I did not equate except to say that they are all instances of religious intolerance.

"In fact, one could say that it is your "intolerance" of Joel's beliefs..."

If I point out that the KKK is an intolerant organization towards blacks, does that also make me intolerant to their beliefs? Nice try with the rubber/glue trick, but that went out in grade school for most people.

"...you could find many other examples of this so-called "sexism" taking place in such a scenario with the antagonist being instead a Muslim, Jew, agnostic, or atheist."

Which is why I pointed out things that Jews and Muslims have done, right? You can stop with the persecution complex now.

"Obviously you do not realize that social doctrine has been formed around these pretenses of gender divergence, and for good reason."

So, it's your view that Cassy should not wrestle, correct? My word, those uppity girls are trying to participate in sports when they would be more suited to domestic pursuits that aren't so vexxing, huh?

Anonymous said...

I am not the Fourth Reich.

Abortion is part of the decay inflicted by the gods in the latter half of the 20th century as we approach the Apocalypse::::
- Free sex
- Explosion in gay sex
- Abortion
- Legalized greed/immorality
- The internet. Whereas TV was a phenominally destructive new temptation on the landscape it doesn't hold a candle to the internet. Some people will waste their whole lives. And its timing was deliberate.

"It's too late to pray." Sign of Woodbridge Church Kansas. And it may be true for some. Examine pimps who prostitute 10 year old girls in the ghetto.
Of course, if you want even a shred of a chance to save yourself the Buffalo Bills did experience the Fourth Reich and realized a comeback of Biblical proportions.
I am failing. But it is because of the god's defense tactics. Fuck absolute power. I hate losing.

Budget problems. Cut the military. Bring them home and end the wars. Let these countries experience self-determination and decide their own future. Didn't we learn this lesson in Vietnam???
Unfortunnately, the gods use the United States as one of their tools, using the spread of democracy to level the playing field and prepare the planet for a global event.

So many people don't care about global warming. They don't care about the Federal deficit/debt (outside of partisanship) and they don't care earning $400k for an $80,000/year job will eventually bankrupt the country. They have awarded themselves $400k pay and retirement packages, loading up their friends on the payroll during the boom 90s through the real estate bust while all services which the program were intended to fund now get cut to pay for it.
These people are often common public university labor. Not Ivy League, not private university.
This labor isn't good enough to command the salaries they are earning. And they understood this when they applied to the public university they settled on.
You can't expect a top-tier salary with a second-rate education.
They think they are going sometime during/at the end of this life, and disregard the poor souls who are left behind.
These are the people who will be here in the United States when bankruptcy is declared and society deteriorates into chaos. And they will deserve the anarchy which ensues.

Continuing the push for privatization, reinforced and supported recently with enormous public sector salaries and retirement packages.
Once achieved the gods will utilize the corruptive predisposition of the private sector economy, as seen with the sub-prime/bailout fiasco, to initiate economic catastrophy and initiate the bankruptcy proceedings of the United States.
Whether the cure for cancer/diseases or the permanant resolution of economic misery, before the gods remove these motivations to pray we will experience an inordinate deluge of each element, with economic misery being perhaps the dissallusion of the united States with bankruptcy.

The gods used the Italians to ruin life in the 20th century.
The gods used the Italians to ruin life in A.D. with The Church.
The Church controlled Western Civilization. As the largest land owner in Europe they controlled the monarchies. They were responsbile for slavery, revenge for African invasion and rape of Italy. They created religious discontent, ultimately leading to the disfavored dumping ground known as the United States.

GCT said...

Those thing (minus the internet) have been around a long time. Either way, care to post something relevant to the OP?

Canterbury Atheists said...

Hey, that's my motivation poster you flogged! One of my better ones even if I do say so myself.

GCT said...

Respect.

Anonymous said...

Please. If he whipped the girl's ass he would be ridiculed and condemned and you know it. Or if his hand fell in a certain spot, he might be charged with "sexual harassament" or something.

Though I am an agnostic and very hateful towards Christianity, I'm with the Christian kid on this. And Evil Empire owned your asses.

GCT said...

"If he whipped the girl's ass he would be ridiculed and condemned and you know it. Or if his hand fell in a certain spot, he might be charged with "sexual harassament" or something."

Um, yeah, because that's exactly what happened with all her other opponents, right? Oh wait.

"And Evil Empire owned your asses."

With the shoddy argument given above, I can see why you would think that.

Anonymous said...

This is an awesome blog. Glad to find it.

People don't seem to see that most arguments about the daintiness of the female demographic are irrelevant when one of the demographic's members is of above-average strength and physical capacity, as Cassy's position in the situation we're discussing decidedly shows.

The argument that Joel's decision was justified because females are weak is merely an example of ultimate attribution error, and implies that Joel would be just as justified if an obviously scrawny male had ended facing him.

It is pure sexism, but that's obvious.

Still, it is the basic physiological differences between man and woman that produced this culture of sexism, not Christianity, which merely derives its principles from those primitive moral views and subsists them through the 21st century.

So the most obvious conclusions are thus:
- Joel displayed sexism by resigning.
- This sexism is derived from his religious beliefs, and the social pressures they've created in American society.
- Sexism is unfair to those of the female sex who are treated differently and/or negatively because of it, and not solely because of the limits of their genders.

Simply speaking, if it weren't for Christian subsistence of sexism, all of Iowa might be raving about what a great match it was, rather than discussing what never was.