When...did it become irrational to dislike religion, any religion, even to dislike it vehemently? When did reason get redescribed as unreason? When were the fairy stories of the superstitious placed above criticism, beyond satire? A religion was not a race. It was an idea, and ideas stood {or fell} because they were strong enough {or too weak} to withstand criticism, not because they were shielded from it. Strong ideas welcomed dissent.
The quote reflects on a critical perspective regarding how society perceives religions and their critique. It questions the shift in attitudes that has made it seemingly irrational to express dislike for any religion, suggesting that this change has led to an environment where religious beliefs are overly protected from scrutiny. The author underscores the notion that ideas should be robust enough to survive criticism, highlighting the importance of open discourse in assessing the strength of beliefs.
Furthermore, the quote emphasizes that religion is an idea, distinct from race, and should not be immune to debate and analysis. Salman Rushdie argues that robust ideas not only tolerate dissent but also thrive because of it. The ultimate message is a call for critical thinking and the rejection of the notion that religious beliefs should be above reproach, promoting the view that healthy criticism is essential for the vitality of any idea.