Religious prejudice under scrutiny

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 5

Religious prejudice under scrutiny

PA Whangarei First came racism, then sexism and now a new word — creedism. Coined by Dr Bronwyn Elsmore, of Tauranga, the word for her best describes prejudice against people because of their chosen creed or religion. She says it is a word New Zealanders are about to hear a lot more of and will have to be increasingly aware of as they become a more cosmopolitan nation.

To increase knowledge and tolerence of other religions, Dr Elsmore is conducting a study on religious prejudice in this country.

Dr Elsmore had found instances of religious prejudice are occurring throughout New Zealand. Her study has prompted examples from all over the country covering a great range from hurtful remarks to very blatant instances where people have been severely disadvantaged because of their religious beliefs. “I’m talking about such things as losing jobs, being refused rental accommodation, the distribution of printed literature attacking religious views, beatings, even a death threat,” she says. The large group of New Zealand’s atheists, agnostics or free-thinkers have had enough of the pressure and are making their feelings known to Dr Elsmore. The extreme of this pressure is seen in fanatical religious groups which try to ban any event contrary to their views. Dr Elsmore says agitation by these groups has seen children’s books removed from libraries and controversy over anything

with dragons or witches. “If people feel something is evil they have a right to protest about it but sometimes things have been a little extreme. I know of a primary school play which had to be called off because there was so much pressure from one small group. It does seem a shame for a play with only one witch.” Dr Elsmore says these extreme views are out of place in this day and age and her study shows so far they result in turning people away from religion.

“Very often people are turning away from the religion in which they were brought up or changing their religion because of intolerence within it.”

Dr Elsmore, who gained her doctorate in religion from Victoria University, began her studies after her two children were born.

Her latest project comes after a couple of children’s books and a book about Maori religious movements of last century published in 1985.

Dr Elsmore does not see herself as an academic as “that sounds too serious” and has been a writer most of her life. Another more comprehensive book about Maori religious movements, titled “Mana from Heaven” is due off the Moana Press in Tauranga soon.

Dr Elsmore says the latest book looks at how the various religious movements between 1820 and 1920 varied at different periods and were affected by translation of scriptures and the differing social needs of the time.

The study on religious prejudice in New Zealand is endorsed by the Human Rights Commission and is being done because Dr Elsmore sees it as a major problem which nobody is addressing. The three parallel concerns of the Declaration of Human Rights are freedom, of sex, race and religion and Dr Elsmore says New Zealanders have come so far on the other two without addressing religious prejudice.

“As New Zealand becomes more cosmopolitan there is more need for tolerance and understanding.

“We need to have a picture of what is happening so individuals and particular religious groups can address the problem.”

Her contribution will be to collate the information sent in and publish it.

“We all now know what sexism and racism and I needed a word for this third concern so had to invent one. It broadly encompasses spiritual views which may not even be considered religious. "An atheist may have a creed by which they live and if they are prejudiced by that they are suffering through creedism,” she said.

Dr Elsmore invites people to tell their story, using their own words thinking about what effect religious prejudice has on their religious feelings, how it changes the way they act or the way they practise their faith. The identities of participants are confidential but respondents should include a contact address and telephone number and send their stories to Dr Elsmore at Box 1061, Tauranga.