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I have never understood the concept of racial slurs. If I want to insult someone I would direct my insult to them personally, not to some incidental like being French-American, or African-American, or Chinese-American. If I am angry enough at you to insult you I would at least do you the courtesy of insulting you, not a whole subset of the human race with whom I have no conflict! Which brings us to the religious slurs question. I believe that as a matter of principle one should try not to let anger take over your thoughts to the extent that you would intentionally insult another unless there was grave and sufficient provocation calling for a statement of "extreme disapproval". I am reminded of an exchange between Cardinal Newman and Oscar Wilde. The Cardinal opined that "A gentleman should never knowingly give offence". Wilde replied, "Oh no, your Eminence, a gentleman should never UNknowingly give offence". As to religious slurs, if one professes a religion it is a matter between that person and God. I am a man of faith so by definition I respect the faith of anyone else who also professes a belief system in a Supreme Being. I am happy to discuss my faith with anyone who wishes to do so but rather than try to shove it down anyone's throat I would prefer to try to live my faith (however often I fumble the attempt) and let that stand as my general statement. I happen to believe that my faith is founded by and upon Christ and handed down in unbroken succession from the Apostles to the present day and containes the whole truth of revelation as found in tradition and Holy Scripture. For me to profess anything else would be to turn apostate. On the other hand, if anyone, adhearing to a different belief system, firmly believes it is true and correct and does his best to live his faith I would be awfully surprised if God were not pleased by that persons good conscience efforts to know, love, and serve God in this world ...
dekeguy
(a Jesuit trained Roman Catholic)
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