In Economics, a public good is defined as a "good or service exhibiting nonrival consumption and nonexcludability" (I took the definition from my EC 310 textbook; if you really want the specific page number and such just ask). What I want to delve into is the idea of 'nonrival consumption,' which essentially states that one person or group's use of the good does not impede another's use. A common example is with roads-just because I drive on a certain road doesn't mean someone else can't (although my boyfriend might contest that given his feelings about my driving).
So after learning about this idea of nonrival consumption as it relates to public goods, I wondered why this idea isn't more widely held, particularly when it comes to religion? Why does one religious group's faith practices have to impede those of another? Why can't we treat religion more like a public good? And the only reason I can think of is tolerance, or, intolerance in this case.
I was raised Catholic and spent 13 years being educated in the Catholic school system in my hometown, yet I will never insist that my religion supersedes any others. I will never tell a believer of any other faith that they should change their ways and convert to Catholicism if they wish to be saved, or that their faith and customs are inferior to mine. My practicing of Catholicism should not hinder someone else's practicing of Islam, Judaism, or any other religion, period. Unfortunately this attitude is not as widespread as it ought to be, hence a disturbing anecdote I was told about certain religious instruction methods in my home town, as well as some of my own experiences with religion classes.
But imagine what it'd be like if more people felt this way and just let others worship as they please. Imagine how many people would avoid persecution and even death in the name of religion. Imagine how much more peaceful and harmonic the world would be without conflict of this nature.
That brings us to the question of why aren't people more tolerant? The answer is pretty simple, but not something people are willing to admit: fear borne out of wavering faith. Think about it, if you really believe in your religious ideology, then why do you have to censure all others, and often all followers of other religions? Why do you have to judge, persecute, or even kill followers of other faiths to proclaim yours? It seems to me that if people firmly believed in the teachings of their faith then they wouldn't have to put other religions down, as they so often do.
I mean a lot of religions ultimately lead to the same truth and many of the differences between them are hardly more than cultural. So when you criticize the practices of another religion, it says a lot more about you and your faith than anything else.
But that's just what I think.
