By 
Religion is supposed to be a personal matter yet some people try to impose their religious views on others although it is often claimed that religion is about tolerance and acceptance.
The problem is not religion itself or whatever beliefs people choose to follow. It is the lack of recognition of individuality even in adults; the inability to respect differing views and lifestyles. Many persons use the excuse of religion to impose, control and even terrorise others.
Even in secular, multicultural states like Guyana, there are public institutions such as taxpayer-funded schools where prayers (of a particular religion) are the norm. And in others, such as ministries and local government places open to the public, there’re dress codes for visitors which one would only expect to find at religious places. Regardless, of the severity, it’s all about conformity and imposing one’s beliefs on others while the individual and what it means to be an individual is ignored.
Why do some people impose their religious views on others?
Are you atheist, agnostic, secular or non-religious or just unsure? Well, if you are then keep it to yourself and pick one of the three traditional religions in Guyana. If you don’t and I’m speaking from my own experiences, people will generally look at you weird and then a long explanation would be expected. And most often, a plea to change your ‘unholy ways’ will follow. I don’t know what percentage of the population identifies as atheist or agnostic but I believe it’s a very small figure.
My experiences
Bus driver
One day I was sitting next to a bus driver and he started up a conversation. Halfway through he asked about my religious views and I was not surprised at the question. In fact, total strangers and acquaintances tend to ask the most personal questions and always expect a response and if the response doesn’t suit them then an explanation is expected.
Anyway, I stated a religion to avoid an argument although I consider myself to be non-religious/secular. However, my choice of religion led to further conversation where the driver tried to convert me by telling me how great his religion and God were and all the wonderful things he did in comparison to other religions. Not only was it unpleasant to put down other religions and belief systems but it showed an inability to accept individuality and the right of others to choose.
Public institutions
In some public schools, you will find religion being imposed on both students and staff although these types of schools are taxpayer-funded and the state is deemed ‘secular’. For instance, at one where I taught the children had to recite Christian prayers and staff meetings began with Christian prayers. No effort was made to include prayers from other religions.
First of all, if you ignore the ‘secularity of the state’ and want to introduce religion then you have to cater to the three major religions in Guyana. Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured labourers) are the largest ethnic group at almost 40% and most are Hindus or Muslims (a small percentage). And lots of Indo-Guyanese who identify as Christians still partake in Indian cultural traditions, religious holidays and observances. Plus, what options would be offered to the Agnostics, Atheists and Rastafarians?
Then when it’s not prayers it’s the imposition of dress codes on the general public (visitors) at places deemed ‘public’ which they actually fund. I understand having dress codes for employees but why discriminate against members of the public who are allowed to walk the streets of Guyana wearing jeans and sleeveless tops yet cannot enter many technologically lagging public institutions to drop off a letter or pick up a form or mail because the arms are exposed.
Archaic dress codes regarding sleeves and skirts/dresses with hemlines above the knees are mostly found at places of worship. I’ve visited many countries including ones in the Caribbean and South America, and the only times I’ve had to follow a dress code were at monasteries in Greece and Bulgaria. I was allowed into everywhere else with my usual, casual outfit of sleeveless blouses and fitted jeans/jeggings. I even visited a courthouse in Munich, Germany with my red, sleeveless mini dress. It wasn’t intentional; I was doing the touristy thing of taking pictures of the city centre when I stumbled upon a very imposing and beautiful building which happened to be opened to tourists and a courthouse at the same time.
Religion before science
There is a perception that people who try to impose their religious views on others are older, rural folks who are not so educated or open-minded as young, hip, urban people. However, this is definitely not true especially in societies that are overall conservative.
Years ago, I was at a university where everyone was studying the sciences. I was placed in a dorm room with about 14 Guyanese young women. They attended church and took part in religious events which I had absolutely no problem with. My problem was their utter lack of respect for my individuality and inability to understand that I didn’t want to be like them. And to top it off we were in a communist country where one would not expect religious imposition. I was pretty turned off by their behaviour although I didn’t say anything to avoid a confrontation.
To begin with, the majority of Guyanese who look like me (Indo-Guyanese) are either Hindus or to a lesser extent, Muslims. And many who have converted to Christianity still adhere to cultural traditions and partake in holidays that celebrate certain religious events. So, to expect me to adhere to their Christian beliefs without even asking me about my own religious beliefs was odd.
They wanted me to join them in their nightly prayer and ‘holy water’ ceremony. I would have felt like a complete hypocrite if I’d joined. To avoid a conflict, I spent the evenings in the classroom which was opened until midnight. Then they wanted me to be anti-social like them and not participate in activities which they deemed immoral such as parties and social events at the school. One morning, I woke up to the sound of someone preaching. They were playing a tape loudly; the ‘preacher’ was saying that girls who go to parties lose their panties and other nonsense. The night before I’d attended a party in the school.
However, all the subtle and not-so-subtle antics came to a head when they locked me out of the room one night because I’d escaped to the classroom to avoid their prayer session. And they all pretended to be asleep although I pounded on the door numerous times. They were not supposed to lock the door; we were never given individual keys to the room and there was no curfew imposed upon us.
I was forced to head over to the dorm of the lecturers after midnight and a male one offered to assist me. Eventually, the girls opened the door and the next day I was moved to another room by the Level Head as if I were the problem but to be fair it was all against one. I heard that an ‘exorcism’ of my former bunk bed was performed the same day.
Repressed sexuality and religion being used as the cloak? Interestingly, in the classroom, I shared a table and school computer with one of those same church girls. She took it upon herself several times to delete videos (movies) I’d stored in my part which she considered immoral because of kissing etc. She even deleted my beach pictures where I wore shorts and a sports bra. And this same girl within less than a year became pregnant.
My experiences are too many to write down here, if I do this post would end up becoming a novella.
Globally
I often read the complaints of people in secular/western countries who feel that the societies shun their religious beliefs, traditions and lifestyles but on the other hand, what about the imposition of religion and accompanying beliefs and practices on the non-religious in secular states? For instance, if drinking alcohol or eating beef or pork is forbidden in some religions and this ban was applied to everyone in the country then those who don’t adhere to these practices would be discriminated against and denied their right to have their own lifestyles.
Countries allow many liberties to cater for all regardless of beliefs. If you have your own beliefs why not apply them just to yourself, why do people feel that they have to impose their religious views and way of life on others? In Guyana, a secular state, I am allowed by law to walk on the streets with sleeveless tops, mini skirts and shorts yet many taxpayer-funded public institutions do not allow visitors to enter if the arms are exposed. I understand having a dress code for employees but why restrict a member of the public from entering a public place in a secular state because the arms are uncovered? Most people would expect a dress code for visitors only at religious places and/or certain business establishments like a fancy club or exclusive restaurant. And even these sort of places would have their dress codes prominently displayed but at the end of the day, they are not taxpayer-funded.
Controlling others through ‘religion’
Many women have no freedom over their bodies and are not the mistresses of their destinies because others tell them how to live and think; what to wear, where to go and basically control every facet of their lives and they use the ‘religion excuse’. For instance, in some conservative Islamic countries, women are expected to wear the burqa however, a number of religious Muslim figures have stated that the burqa is not a requirement in Islam. And a large number of women especially the younger generation identify as Muslims but do not wear the burqa or hijab. In fact, they dress in western clothing all the time. Who has the monopoly on being religious and who gets to decide what makes a person ‘good’. The same applies to other religions like Christianity and Hinduism where you have people with vastly different religious beliefs and practices but belonging to the same religion.
The problem is not religion but the inability to recognise that others may have vastly different belief systems or may even be agnostic/atheist. So, many liberties are allowed ‘in law’ to cater for all sorts of people including vegetarians, chicken eaters, beef eaters, pork eaters and alcohol drinkers. If you don’t eat a particular thing then don’t; that’s completely fine but don’t impose your beliefs on others. For example, in the Constitution of India, it is deemed a secular state and home to many religions but some people still get attacked or are killed for eating beef.
(Vox video)
Is the issue really about religion or control and power?
Many people throughout the world impose their religious views on others to control and have power over them. For instance, some might say that being a good Christian, Hindu or Muslim woman means that one should be in the house, obedient and subservient but can’t a good Christian, Hindu or Muslim woman also be a worker, strong-willed, assertive and self-confident or a mixture of the two? Who decides?
The problem is that many people who impose their religious views on others, derive great joy from oppressing and controlling them. To lose that power is unthinkable so they use the ‘religion excuse’. Should we live according to the Old Testament; is it applicable to the 21st century?
The world will be a better place when people respect others regardless of their beliefs and lifestyles; and recognise the individuality in each of us.
