PREJORATIVE TERM AND SLURS IN THE RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

PART OF SERIES, "ECUMENISM: ADDRESSING ISSUES TOWARDS HEALTHY DIALOGUE"

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Photo: (examples of religious slur as strong language)

Disclaimer

The views and Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only. For legal advice, consult a professional or lawyer.

Reader Advisory

This article discusses sensitive topics that may not suitable for all audiences, Reading Discretion is Advised and Parental Guidance is recommended.

Introduction

A religious slur is a pejorative, insulting, or disrespectful term used to denigrate or ridicule a person or group based on their religious beliefs or affiliation. It is a form of hate speech that perpetuates harmful stereotypes and can cause deep psychological and emotional distress to its targets.

Behind the Terms

Slurs can be directed at adherents of any faith and may originate from historical conflicts, negative stereotypes, or political rhetoric. Slurs can be directed at adherents of any faith and may originate from historical conflicts, negative stereotypes, or political rhetoric. Providing specific examples of religious slurs is not possible, as repeating them can perpetuate their use and spread harmful language

Prejorative, is a word or expression that has a negative, insulting, or derogatory meaning or connotation (Definition of PEJORATIVE, n.d.). Such a term is used to express disapproval, criticism, or disrespect, and is intended to belittle or insult its subject. The word itself derives from the Latin verb pējōrāre, meaning "to make or become worse"

Consequence and Address

Slurs are considered a form of hate speech that goes beyond mere insults to cause significant damage to individuals and society. This includes Emotional and psychological distress, Perpetuation of hate, and Erosion of social cohesion (Popa-Wyatt, 2020; Discussion Paper on Religious Intolerance | Canadian Human Rights Commission, 2023). In the international standards, there's Freedom of Speech and Expression, with limitations. For overtly aggressive or bigoted individuals, it may be best to simply walk away rather than engage in a pointless argument. If a person seems genuinely ignorant of the harm caused, a calm, informative correction may be appropriate.

Example Lists of religious slurs

Here is the example lists of religious slurs. Follow the sequence: [Term] - [Location of Origin] - [Target]

CHRISTIANITY

Catholic (Anti-Catholic)

"Papist" - Northern Ireland, North America, U.K. in general - This is an archaic, offensive slur for a Roman Catholic. Coined by Protestants during the 16th-century English Reformation, it was used to label Catholics as adherents of the pope rather than Christ (Cambridge Dictionary, 2024).

"Romanist" - Predominantly North America and the U.K. - It is used by Ulster Protestants in the Northern Ireland, and it is very common by Anti-Catholics in the United States (When Did the Term “Roman Catholic Church” First Come into Being?, n.d.).

Protestant (Anti-Protestant)

"Sulpot" - Philippines - within the context of some Catholic communities in the Philippines, the term "sulpot" is used to refer to churches and religious groups that are considered "fake" or illegitimate. The word's meaning is drawn from the Tagalog word for "to appear unexpectedly" or "to pop out," and it is used to imply that these churches have suddenly appeared without a long, historical tradition. While the word itself is not traditionally a slur, its use in this context is intended to be insulting, which can be seen as a form of religious slur. 

"Bible thumper" - United States - this English term is also used in the Philippines to pejoratively describe evangelical Christians who are perceived as aggressively imposing their beliefs on others.

"Pastoy" - Philippines(particular to conservative catholic cebuanos) - this term is used by some conservative Catholic Cebuanos as a pejorative term or insult directed at non-Catholic pastors, and it can be found in social media posts. The term "pastor" is typically associated with Protestant denominations in the Philippine context, while the Catholic Church uses terms like "priest" or "parish priest" (though "pastor" is used in official Catholic contexts in the US and Canada). The added "y" in "pastoy" serves to make it a more informal, demeaning, or childish-sounding moniker in the Cebuano language when used as an insult. 

Non-Trinitarian

"Iglesia Ni Manalo" / "Manalista" - Philippines(particular to conservative catholics) - this term, "Iglesia Ni Manalo" targeting the members of Iglesia Ni Cristo(Church of Christ) to referring that their church as founded by Felix Y. Manalo in July 27, 1914. The term Manalista is a colloquial and often derogatory term used by outsiders to refer to members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), also known as the Manalo Church. 

The name derives from the surname of the church's founder, Felix Manalo, and his successors from the Manalo family, who have served as the church's executive ministers. 

"Mormon" - United States - The use of "Mormon" as a label for members of the Church began in the 1830s among outsiders, initially as a pejorative or descriptive term. The early members referred to their church as the "Church of Christ" (later renamed "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" by revelation in 1838) and called themselves "Saints". 

Muslim (Islamophoic)

"Muklo" - Philippines(particular to our filipino muslims (especially among Bangsamoro ethnic groups) - "Muklo" is a highly derogatory, offensive ethnic slur used in the Visayan (Cebuano) language, primarily directed at Muslim Filipinos, also known as Moros. The term implies negative stereotypes, such as uneducated, uncivilized, ignorant, barbaric, and scary. It originated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a slur towards Moro insurgents and has since been used in a discriminatory manner against the broader Muslim community. 

There is also a separate, unrelated meaning in Wiktionary which describes "muklo" (or "mukao") as an adverb describing a sound that is dull, hollow, or muffled. However, in the context of the Philippines, the ethnic slur is the most common usage and carries significant social and historical weight.  (Sterkens et al., 2016; Muklo in Cebuano, n.d.)

Limitations of Freedom of Expression/Speech

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that includes the freedom to hold opinions and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas without interference. However, it is not absolute and can be limited under specific circumstances to protect public interests or the rights of others, such as preventing incitement to violence, protecting national security, and safeguarding reputation (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2021).

Catholic leaders in the Philippines(including CBCP and individual bishops) have consistently condemned and actively responded to religious slurs and hate speech, particularly when directed at their own faith by public officials. Their response typically involves public statements, calls for respect and dialogue, and moral guidance to their congregation, although direct engagement sometimes varies by individual bishop. 

Various non-Catholic Christian leaders and groups, such as those from the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and the National Council of Churches of the Philippines, have also spoken out against bigotry, religious discrimination, and hate speech.

The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627) and other human rights laws in the Philippines prohibit name-calling or using religious slurs, and the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state. 

Legal Issue

Using a religious slur can have significant civil and criminal consequences, especially when it constitutes harassment, discrimination, incitement to hatred, a "true threat," or a hate crime. The specific legal outcomes depend heavily on the context, location, and severity of the incident. 

In the Philippines, it may face a possible criminal case, like: Article 133 of Revised Penal Code, also known as "Offending the religious feelings", but the act must occur in a place of worship or during a religious ceremony and be notoriously offensive to the faithful. The penalty for this offense ranges from 4 months and 1 day to 2 years and 4 months imprisonment (Yes, There Are Religious Crimes, 2013). 

Other Potential Charges depending on the situation include, Oral Defamation (Slander) / Libel (Article 358 and 353), publicly uttering a religious slur causing humiliation or harm to reputation can be prosecuted as slander or libel, if online(including social media), would violated as Cyberlibel under RA 10175 or Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. If the slur targets an individual in a public space(including religious role of women) or online and constitutes gender-based sexual harassment, fines and imprisonment may apply under RA 11313 or Safe Spaces Act. Using religious slurs that lead to bullying in a school environment is covered by RA 10627 or Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

Ecumenical Response

Ecumenism emphasizes using constructive and unifying language, such as the "fruits of the Spirit" (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control), rather than relying on divisive or harmful or strong language like religious slurs.

Reference

Popa-Wyatt, M. (2020, May 27). Slurs, Pejoratives, and Hate Speech. Obo. https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195396577/obo-9780195396577-0403.xml

Discussion Paper on Religious Intolerance | Canadian Human Rights Commission. (2023, October 23). Chrc-Ccdp.gc.ca. https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/node/698

Cambridge Dictionary. (2024, February 7). papist. @CambridgeWords. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/papist

Sterkens, C., Camacho, A. Z., & Scheepers, P. (2016). Ethno-religious Identification and Latent Conflict: Support of Violence among Muslim and Christian Filipino Children and Youth. Conflict, Violence and Peace, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4585-98-9_12-1

Definition of PEJORATIVE. (n.d.). Www.merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pejorative

‌When did the Term “Roman Catholic Church” First Come into Being? (n.d.). Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/qa/when-did-the-term-roman-catholic-church-first-come-into-being

‌Equality and Human Rights Commission. (2021, June 3). Article 10: Freedom of Expression | EHRC. Www.equalityhumanrights.com. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/human-rights-act/article-10-freedom-expression

‌Yes, there are religious crimes. (2013, January 28). Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/01/29/902298/yes-there-are-religious-crimes

muklo in Cebuano. (n.d.). Kaikki.org. https://kaikki.org/dictionary/Cebuano/meaning/m/mu/muklo.html

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Social Media Reference

Catholic FAITH Defense Philippines (November 18, 2022), https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1112631085968015&id=197942474103552&set=a.242150029682796&locale=hi_IN

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