4 - Don’t Be a Jew

Summary

This chapter explores historical and current religious discrimination in language and its crossover with xenophobia and racism. We consider slurs, stereotypes, and demonization related to prejudice against various belief systems. The chapter looks at religions that are a minority (especially among immigrants) in the U.S., but with a focus on contemporary anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim prejudice (Islamophobia). Discrimination against Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and traditional religions is explored. We also consider the growing discrimination against non-theists (atheists), which is an often-overlooked area.