alt_edWhy I Hate Organized Religion!
July 1st 2008 02:04
Thank god I don’t live in the USA, as saying religion is the worst thing that has ever happened on earth is most likely punishable by death throughout Americas Bible belt states... I do, wholeheartedly believe it is true nonetheless. Fellow blogger S.L. may not be the best example of religious fanaticism, but she certainly exemplifies everything wrong with religion.
Hate, discrimination and even death are totally justified through various religions. When we reflect over our history, more blood has been spilt in the name of religion (not necessarily God) than any other cause.
The Crusades and even the war on Iraq have been fought with religious undertones. America’s ‘special’ President George W. Bush famously told reporters he was “driven with a mission from God,” and God told him to “fight those terrorists in Afghanistan” and “end the tyranny in Iraq.” (Poor Joan was burnt at the stake for this sort of shyt!).
If God does exist, I’m sure he would take serious issue with an unjust war being blamed on Him. But God isn’t necessarily the biggest ‘issue’ within my personal war on religion; it’s the way people interpret the intent of religious texts (or even re-write them, New Testament anyone?)
In the United States, Christianity has oppressed African Americans and homosexuals, and Australia is guilty of this with its treatment towards Aboriginal peoples. Up until the 21st century, the Bible was used to justify everything from lynching African American’s to denying them the right to vote. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacy groups often preach their hate under the guise of “God’s word.”
More recently though, homosexuals have borne the brunt of religious hatred.
With people like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwall, Paul Volle and most notably, Fred Phelps of “God Hates Fags” fame, blaming everything from Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 to the downfall of the USA on homosexuals and calling homosexuality a “disease” and “mental illness” only fuelling the already blazing hate fires.
I don’t think it is any secret, but the USA is extremely homophobic, they actually had to enact hate crime legislation! It seems like it would be a no-brainer punishments should be stronger in cases in which someone is killed for no reason other than his or her sexual orientation, race of religious affiliation.
Is it a coincidence that majority of Christians in a nation equal profound bigotry against homosexuals? Without a doubt not. Christianity explicitly opens the door for hate against homosexuals!
While religion may justify oppression and hate, I am not closed of mind enough to believe that every follower of any given religion is full of hate. I would have to state, that I firmly believe the number of “good” Christians far outweighs the bad. The problem is though; the good Christians don’t get the good press.
In a lot of instances, we don’t hear about the good things Christians are doing because the Christians who are hating people in the name of God “outshine” their actions.
But, not everything about religion is bad. When organisations use their congregations to feed the poor and provide care to the sick, then “God’s” purpose has been fulfilled. I think religion provides space for a lot of good work to be done, but the good is certainly overshadowed by the bad.
Even with the good Christians do, is religion really necessary? Should God have to tell us to feed the hungry and provide medicine to sick?
No. We should feed the hungry because they’re hungry. I think that’s the only justification necessary for being a good Samaritan.
Morals certainly can exist outside the organized religion box, and I am a true believer that they should. Moral codes should be simply that and need not contain hatred or discrimination.
With Christianity though, morals seem pretty contradictory. You should tune the other cheek, but take an eye for an eye? Love your neighbour – unless he’s gay…
It doesn’t make any sense to me. Religion has certainly done good things for society, but its not at all necessary for good things to happen.
I definitely don’t haven’t anything against personal relationships with God and spiritually. What I do take issue with though, is dogma. Doctrines of hate and separation are totally unacceptable!
As an agnostic, I certainly think there is a distant possibility God exists, but no God I could ever believe in or worship would hate anyone, least of all someone who was born different.
So to all you religious fundamentalists, put your hatred and ignorance aside. God never told you to hate anyone, it’s just easier for you to hat than take the time to learn, understand and accept those different to yourself.
To all you Christians, who are actually doing the work of God, thank you. Feed the Children and other organization who have taken the Bible to heart rather than taking it up as a sword to inflict hate among the most important people on the planet. It is them, not Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps, who will inherit the earth.
Pending God exists of course
Hate, discrimination and even death are totally justified through various religions. When we reflect over our history, more blood has been spilt in the name of religion (not necessarily God) than any other cause.
The Crusades and even the war on Iraq have been fought with religious undertones. America’s ‘special’ President George W. Bush famously told reporters he was “driven with a mission from God,” and God told him to “fight those terrorists in Afghanistan” and “end the tyranny in Iraq.” (Poor Joan was burnt at the stake for this sort of shyt!).
If God does exist, I’m sure he would take serious issue with an unjust war being blamed on Him. But God isn’t necessarily the biggest ‘issue’ within my personal war on religion; it’s the way people interpret the intent of religious texts (or even re-write them, New Testament anyone?)
In the United States, Christianity has oppressed African Americans and homosexuals, and Australia is guilty of this with its treatment towards Aboriginal peoples. Up until the 21st century, the Bible was used to justify everything from lynching African American’s to denying them the right to vote. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacy groups often preach their hate under the guise of “God’s word.”
More recently though, homosexuals have borne the brunt of religious hatred.
With people like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwall, Paul Volle and most notably, Fred Phelps of “God Hates Fags” fame, blaming everything from Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 to the downfall of the USA on homosexuals and calling homosexuality a “disease” and “mental illness” only fuelling the already blazing hate fires.
I don’t think it is any secret, but the USA is extremely homophobic, they actually had to enact hate crime legislation! It seems like it would be a no-brainer punishments should be stronger in cases in which someone is killed for no reason other than his or her sexual orientation, race of religious affiliation.
Is it a coincidence that majority of Christians in a nation equal profound bigotry against homosexuals? Without a doubt not. Christianity explicitly opens the door for hate against homosexuals!
While religion may justify oppression and hate, I am not closed of mind enough to believe that every follower of any given religion is full of hate. I would have to state, that I firmly believe the number of “good” Christians far outweighs the bad. The problem is though; the good Christians don’t get the good press.
In a lot of instances, we don’t hear about the good things Christians are doing because the Christians who are hating people in the name of God “outshine” their actions.
But, not everything about religion is bad. When organisations use their congregations to feed the poor and provide care to the sick, then “God’s” purpose has been fulfilled. I think religion provides space for a lot of good work to be done, but the good is certainly overshadowed by the bad.
Even with the good Christians do, is religion really necessary? Should God have to tell us to feed the hungry and provide medicine to sick?
No. We should feed the hungry because they’re hungry. I think that’s the only justification necessary for being a good Samaritan.
Morals certainly can exist outside the organized religion box, and I am a true believer that they should. Moral codes should be simply that and need not contain hatred or discrimination.
With Christianity though, morals seem pretty contradictory. You should tune the other cheek, but take an eye for an eye? Love your neighbour – unless he’s gay…
It doesn’t make any sense to me. Religion has certainly done good things for society, but its not at all necessary for good things to happen.
I definitely don’t haven’t anything against personal relationships with God and spiritually. What I do take issue with though, is dogma. Doctrines of hate and separation are totally unacceptable!
As an agnostic, I certainly think there is a distant possibility God exists, but no God I could ever believe in or worship would hate anyone, least of all someone who was born different.
So to all you religious fundamentalists, put your hatred and ignorance aside. God never told you to hate anyone, it’s just easier for you to hat than take the time to learn, understand and accept those different to yourself.
To all you Christians, who are actually doing the work of God, thank you. Feed the Children and other organization who have taken the Bible to heart rather than taking it up as a sword to inflict hate among the most important people on the planet. It is them, not Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps, who will inherit the earth.
Pending God exists of course
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
She's all i could come up with-- it's a spur of the moment blog you know!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Seriously though, read this. I won't say anymore, make up your own mind.
Really Long Link
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Australian Chick
Fashion Peach
But the more we learn, the more we experience, the further we push our brains into higher thinking - it will all lead to a more rational world, one that will someday be led by logic and reason, not misplaced faith and self-delusion. In my opinion, it can't happen soon enough.
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Not all of our forefathers were ignorant, I mean look some of them had the insight to create a system whereby they could impose total rule over the people, and even express greater power than the ruling governments and all via instilling a fear of 'god'... How ironic? lol
How come no one ever questions why the Bible has so much missing? Like when Noah built the ark, howcome he didn't mention Kangaroos and Koalla's or Wombats even? Where did these mystical creatures come from? Are they the devils work or what?????
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Australian Chick
Fashion Peach
Thankfully, people ARE beginning to question why the Bible has so much missing - I laughed out loud reading Ruby's 'Ten reasons why I don't believe in God' post - there's a bit on Cain and Abel and how Cain came across a mystery woman in the wild - but if all humans descended from Adam and Eve, then where the fuck did this chick come from? Out of the ether?? Soooo much of it does not make any sense which is why it befuddles me that so many people still consider it a worthy text.
At least the greatest thinkers of our time understand all this and are putting things right, slowly (e.g. with Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion) but it will take much, much longer to convert the masses.
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Do we really think, God would be that indecisive that he'd need to update his publications like the Yellow pages??
P.s. Didn't u hear? The mystery woman, she was actually a drag queen
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
They don't even understand what a scientific theory is and the real icing on the cake is that they think the Creationist Museum in Kentucky is scientific. "sigh"
We sure have a long way to go. But at least our numbers are growing.
Thanks for the little shout-out Journeywoman.
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
What i dont get is how come they can't get it? An old book is nothing more than that, an old book. Sure it has an immense historical worth, but it really has nil scientific value...
Brings us back the that teapot argument i guess- though i think a teacup in space is probably a more rational belief than a God in your head!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I wrestled with doubt for a long time before I accepted the fact that I just didn't believe any more.
Comment by Anonymous
I'm a real klutz at getting domain names/blog titles etc straight.
Please put a "wall of separation" between the concept of "organized religion" and the sins people committ. There is no such thing as "organized religion." It's a media constuct used by the media and its many gullible readers to believe such a thing exists and it carries with it a false connotation (or at least a tar brushing) of the Catholic Church -- the ONLY Church founded directly by God, i.e. Jesus -- and the various Protestant denominations and non-denoms (a new phenom.) with La Costra Nostra.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, some clerics have behaved miserably and in some ways that evoke similarities,but they're only connections that can be fit for coffee-break and shockjock "conversations," not fit for real substantive discussions.
After all, when was the last time you heard of the Mafia going public with its crimes so as to make restitution and beg forgiveness?
The reason why the "gates of hell" haven't opened is because the Catholic Church and its many (35,000 and counting) Protestant sub-denominations and sects have taken action to put an end to the awfull mortal sins and crimes of pedophillia, etc. not to mention the coverups and other shennanigans.
And please, for God's sake and the US' don't confuse the faith of millions of Christians in our country with that of our present President. Besides, he's not the first one to occupy his office who felt "called" to the presidency. He's perhaps the first in recent memory to be so out-front and frame his thoughts in such overtly contemporary evangelical-lingo.
Bush's spiritual journey isn't over by any means and don't be overly surprised to hear one day about him becoming the first former president to convert to Catholicism. I'm not exposing any "state secrets" since it's been already reported.
Stay tuned my friend, and God's blessings for ya even if we disagree yet agree to disagree as friends.
Comment by Josie
Waxing Political
Unique Parent
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Hi Anon Steven,
I'm really not sure what you're saying here and don't want to jump to any false conclussions but... are you really saying the Catholic Church are better than the Maffia because they recognised and have put an end to the 'moral sins' commited within the church?
Couldn't agree more Josie
Urh--
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Comment by Anonymous
but i can your point on organised religion. the ones that say we'll help you if you turn to us but you have to convert first.
i think that people should keep their beliefs to themselves and stop trying to interfere with everyon elses.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
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and Big Foot.
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Have you not seen the movie, you know the one where he defeats King Kong and saves the city from doom?