Joe, that was one or two posts out of many, and yes, they were prejudiced. Most of us did not say that.

Quote: ""Yep, them Hare Krishees are mean to animals - let's throw all them bastards in jail." Or maybe to a concentration camp. Or, how about a gas chamber?
" - Joe

Or how about having whatever organizational element there is to the Hare Krishnas make sure their followers understand how to properly care for their animals, sacred or not? And asking why they have not already done so, considering the sacred nature of the creature?

I see, as a problem, that followers of religions far too often are prejudiced in favour of members of their own faith, so that when they commit misdeeds, it is covered up or made little of, or even justified. Bad priests get transferred to unsuspecting communities, bad Baptists get forgiven and their past evils buried, until they do it again, bad Muslims (who kill their daughters over a headscarf, for example) are said to be not mainstream - but no one speaks out and says "These members of our faith did wrong, and did it while practicing or in the name of our religion, and we abhor this, and will not protect them from the law by crying 'religion'".

The Canadian forensic scientist responsible for many false convictions did bad work for twenty years - his superior says "But he was such a good Christian, I never suspected" - nor did he bother to investigate.

I can understand that it is painful for those with faith to hear ill spoken of people of faith, seemingly because of their faith. I would just like to see the religious people for once, instead of reacting immediately with a defense of religion, admit a particular group has done wrong and their fellows have condoned it by their silence and by their protection.

You say: "Abhorrence of specific misdeeds is wise and necessary. Condemnation of entire groups for the misdeeds of a few (and with no attempt to gain insight into the real essence of the group), is what I call prejudice. Certainly, there is great harm done in the name of organized religion - but great harm is also done by condemning the many for the misdeeds of the few. " - Joe

I say: It is necessery for the group whose members have committed misdeeds to help us gain insight into why it might have happened and how they intend to mitigate the wrongdoing and prevent it in future.

In all sincerity, I am not unduly prejudiced against any religion (barring the Divine Light Mission), but I get very weary of hearing excuses made for crimes and misdemeanours, just because the perpetrators claim a religion.

I don't mean to offend or hurt you, Joe - as far as I know, Quakers (which I think you are) have managed to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of organised religion. Others of faith should study this.