Religious discrimination refers to the unfair or unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on their religious beliefs. This can occur in various settings, including employment, housing, and institutional environments. It encompasses instances where people of different religions, denominations, or non-religions are treated differently due to their specific beliefs. Religious discrimination can take the form of harassment, refusal to hire, firing, or denial of reasonable accommodation for religious practices. It is illegal in the United States to discriminate based on religion in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, compensation, assignment, and classification of employees.
In the most extreme cases, religious discrimination can lead to religious persecution, where individuals are subjected to severe mistreatment or even execution due to their beliefs. Even in societies where freedom of religion is a constitutional right, adherents of minority religions may voice concerns about religious discrimination against them. Historical examples of religious discrimination include the forceful Hellenization of Judea by the Greek Seleucid Empire in 167 BC.
Overall, religious discrimination violates individuals rights and protections under the law, and it is important to be aware of and address instances of religious discrimination to ensure equal treatment and respect for all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs.
