RELIGION AND PRIVILEGE
Study Notes
SOCW‑6051‑2: Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice
Topic: Antireligion and Privilege
1. Introduction
Religion and Diversity: Religion is a key dimension of identity, shaping values, culture, and community.
Antireligion: Refers to hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against religious beliefs, practices, or institutions.
Privilege: Unearned advantages granted to individuals or groups based on social identity (race, gender, class, religion, etc.).
Intersection: Antireligion and privilege intersect when dominant groups marginalize religious minorities or when secular privilege excludes faith perspectives.
Social Work Relevance: Practitioners must recognize how antireligion and privilege affect clients’ rights, dignity, and access to resources.
2. Understanding Antireligion
Definition: Negative attitudes, stereotypes, or systemic exclusion directed at religious individuals or groups.
Forms:
Individual: Hostile comments, ridicule, or microaggressions.
Institutional: Policies that restrict religious expression in schools or workplaces.
Cultural: Media portrayals that stigmatize certain religions.
Examples:
Discrimination against Muslims through Islamophobia.
Marginalization of indigenous spiritual practices.
Hostility toward atheists or secular individuals in religiously dominant societies.
3. Privilege in Religious Contexts
Religious Privilege: Benefits enjoyed by members of dominant religions (e.g., Christianity in the U.S.).
Secular Privilege: Advantages for those who do not practice religion in highly secular societies.
Manifestations:
Holidays aligned with dominant religions recognized nationally.
Laws reflecting majority religious values.
Social acceptance of mainstream religious practices while stigmatizing minority faiths.
Impact: Privilege normalizes certain beliefs while marginalizing others, creating inequity.
4. Intersection of Antireligion and Privilege
Double Marginalization: Minority religious groups may face both antireligion prejudice and lack of privilege.
Invisible Privilege: Dominant groups may not recognize their advantages (e.g., Christian holidays as national breaks).
Conflict: Secular privilege can silence religious voices, while religious privilege can suppress secular or minority perspectives.
Social Justice Lens: Equity requires dismantling both antireligion prejudice and unearned privilege.
5. Psychological and Social Impact
Identity Conflict: Individuals may struggle to reconcile faith with societal exclusion.
Mental Health: Antireligion prejudice can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Community Disconnection: Marginalized groups may feel isolated from mainstream society.
Resilience: Faith communities often provide support, but privilege disparities can undermine empowerment.
Intergenerational Effects: Discrimination against religious groups can perpetuate cycles of marginalization.
6. Human Rights Perspective
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18): Affirms freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Violation: Antireligion prejudice undermines human rights by restricting freedom of belief.
Privilege: Unequal recognition of religious rights perpetuates injustice.
Social Work Role: Advocate for religious freedom and challenge systemic discrimination.
7. Social Work Practice Implications
Engagement: Build trust by respecting clients’ religious identities.
Assessment: Explore how antireligion and privilege affect client experiences.
Intervention: Provide culturally competent, faith‑sensitive support.
Advocacy: Promote policies that protect religious freedom and equity.
Ethics: NASW Code of Ethics requires respect for diversity and opposition to discrimination.
Education: Raise awareness about privilege and antireligion in communities and institutions.
8. Strategies for Addressing Antireligion and Privilege
Cultural Competence: Learn about diverse religious traditions and secular perspectives.
Dialogue: Encourage interfaith and inter‑belief conversations.
Policy Reform: Advocate for inclusive laws and workplace accommodations.
Training: Provide anti‑bias education for professionals and institutions.
Community Engagement: Partner with faith and secular organizations to promote equity.
Empowerment: Support marginalized groups in voicing concerns and accessing resources.
9. Contemporary Issues
Islamophobia: Rising discrimination against Muslims globally.
Anti‑Semitism: Persistent prejudice against Jewish communities.
Secularism vs. Religion: Tensions between secular privilege and religious freedom.
Indigenous Spirituality: Marginalization of traditional practices.
Globalization: Increased religious diversity requires intercultural competence.
Digital Spaces: Online hostility toward religious groups amplifies antireligion prejudice.
10. Case Example
Scenario: A Muslim student faces ridicule for wearing a hijab in a secular school.
Privilege: Christian holidays are recognized, but Islamic practices are ignored.
Impact: Student experiences identity conflict and isolation.
Social Work Response: Validate experiences, advocate for inclusive policies, educate peers, and connect student to supportive communities.
11. Conclusion
Antireligion and privilege are interconnected forces shaping diversity and social justice.
Recognizing privilege and addressing prejudice are essential for equitable practice.
Social workers must integrate HBSE, cultural competence, and human rights frameworks to support clients.
Advocacy, education, and empowerment are key strategies for dismantling systemic inequities.
Promoting inclusion of diverse religious and secular identities strengthens communities and advances justice.
Quiz (15 Questions)
Multiple Choice
Which article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms freedom of religion? a) Article 10 b) Article 18 c) Article 25 d) Article 30
Antireligion refers to: a) Privilege granted to dominant religions b) Hostility or prejudice against religion c) Freedom of belief d) Secularism
Which of the following is an example of religious privilege? a) Recognizing minority holidays nationally b) Majority religion holidays as public breaks c) Equal treatment of all faiths d) Secular neutrality
Which perspective emphasizes interconnected systems influencing behavior? a) Psychodynamic b) Systems Theory c) Cognitive d) Behavioral
Which group may face both antireligion prejudice and lack of privilege? a) Dominant religious groups b) Minority religious groups c) Secular majority d) Political elites
True/False
Antireligion prejudice can undermine human rights. (True)
Privilege is always visible to those who benefit from it. (False)
Social workers must respect clients’ religious identities. (True)
Secular privilege never marginalizes religious groups. (False)
Interfaith dialogue can reduce prejudice and promote equity. (True)
Short Answer
Define antireligion and provide one example.
Explain how privilege manifests in religious contexts.
Identify two psychological impacts of antireligion prejudice.
Describe one strategy social workers can use to address privilege.
How does globalization increase the importance of addressing antireligion and privilege?
SOCW-6051-2: Diversity, Hum Rights, Soc J-Summer 2025OW
ANTIRELIGION AND PRIVILEGE
For citizens in some countries, religious oppression is common and long-standing. Although freedom of religion is protected in the United States, religious intolerance and discrimination remain. Consider Islamophobia and the backlash against those of the Muslim faith following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Social workers must be alert for the complex ways that religious oppression and privilege function. By creating an awareness of the privilege given to some while marginalizing others, social workers can understand how this bias impacts their clients. In this Discussion, you explore the relationship between privilege, oppression, and religion.
To prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on religions. Consider how religion connects with privilege and oppression, and generate examples of these connections.
our discussion posts should include material from the Learning Resources initially. You can pull in other scholarly material after you have utilized the readings from the week. Please ensure that you appropriately cite and reference material.
Analyze the connection between privilege and religion
Apply social work strategies to address client experiences of religion and spirituality
Prepare plans for further development to meet the needs of religious communities.
BY DAY 3 (Please write out the sub headings)
Write a post in which you:
Explain the connection between privilege and religion.
Describe a situation in which members of a religion experience privilege.
Then, describe a situation in which members of a different religion experience religious oppression.
Support your post with examples from the course text and any other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full reference of resources at the bottom of the post.
Course book
Diversity, Oppression And Change 3RD 21
Author: Marsiglia
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-005952-1
ISBN-10: 0-19-005952-4
Edition/Copyright: 3RD 21
Publisher: Oxford University Press (course)
Required Readings
Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
oChapter 3, “The Intersectionality of Race and Ethnicity With Other Factors” (pp. 46–64)
Read the “Religion” section.
oChapter 13, “Culturally Grounded Community-Based Helping (pp. 273–284)
Pew Research Center. (n.d.). Religious landscape studyLinks to an external site.. https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/
oNote: Scroll down to the map and click on your state or city to reveal religious affiliation statistics.
Wienclaw, R. A. (2021). World religionsLinks to an external site.. In Salem Press encyclopedia. Salem Press.
Please see below for additional online resources:
www.pluralism.orgLinks to an external site.,
www.pbs.org/godinamerica/view/Links to an external site.
www.pewforum.orgLinks to an external site. (especially their US Religious Landscape study which is online).
Required Media
The Social Work Podcast. (2020, August 22). Religion and spirituality in social work: Interview with Holly Oxhandler, PhDLinks to an external site. [Audio podcast episode]. In The Social Work Podcast. https://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2020/08/Oxhandler.html
oNote: The approximate length of this media piece is 45 minutes. You may listen to the podcast or scroll down to read the transcript.
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