2013
Allow me a view of the world … it’s a mess!
There is one consistent condition it seems to me that is at the root cause of much of the worlds troubles. That one thing is organized religion, no I’m not talking about ones personal beliefs or ones inner relationship with God, any god, I am talking about organized religion run by, corrupted and politicized by human beings.
From the beginning of time one group or the other has been persecuted in the name of religion, untold wars and violence have been conducted in the name of religion. Sects of ostensibly the same religion fight one another; the 21st century presents a good example in modern times.
Pope Urban II encouraged the first crusades and provided absolution to participants thereby sanctifying unimaginable violence. Muslims in the seventh century spread their religion largely through conquest and violence. Today, religion is used to rationalize violence on a daily basis. Somehow humans are easily convinced, in the name of religion, to abandon common decency and moral values, but I guess values are in the eye of the beholder.
And who does that convincing? Other humans claiming to speak on behalf of their religion. Does anyone else see the flaw in all this?
It seems anyone can set up a religion, subgroup or religious cult and gain a following willing to believe almost anything. Humans can be made to think, believe and do anything. That is perhaps our greatest flaw. Has anyone pondered why there are so many different religions, many of which have the same God? The answer can only be man’s involvement. And which religion is the “right” religion or does it matter? No doubt to some humans it matters a great deal.
While religious belief provides comfort to many on a daily basis, that is and should be a personal experience. It requires no speaking, no sermons, no unique garb or public display, no grand structures, no teaching, no organization and certainly no violence.
On a recent flight I awoke at 3:00 am to see a white clothed image standing in the aisle. It was covered from head to toe in a tallit (shawl) with tefillin and rocking to and fro praying. After a few seconds it dawned on me it must be the Rabbi a saw board the plane. He was following ancient tradition, but I found it a disturbing display especially considering the location. I would have had the same reaction to someone kneeling or prostrate in the aisle. Do such conventions make for a better person, a better human being?
A man who never goes to a formal religious gathering can still live a good life while the opposite is also true. We measure the wrong things. Our interaction with other humans is a true measure of our worth, not the ceremonies in which we participate or the number of times we pray each day (not to mention what we may pray for). Is genuflecting after a touchdown or crossing ones self as you come to bat appropriate?
There is so much in this world beyond our control, it is scary. There is more we simply do not understand; we need a place to turn for solace. We may find comfort in our beliefs, but that does not give us the right to take that solace and comfort from others in the name of any religion interpreted and controlled by other human beings.
What is your view?
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Religion is that which provides comfort and peace of mind that one chooses to follow. It is not for the world to judge which one is better over another unless life and liberties are infringed upon.
It is the cults and “religious” fanatics like Jim Jones, Osama Bin Ladens and Hitlers of the world who are the slugs and termites of society that are allowed to rise to “leadership” role. They muster support from the poor or weak minded individuals by offering “freedom” from their state of poverty. They usually claim to be better than any supreme power to which others cling.
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You are correct to a point, but the reality is that the major travesties of history occurred because of mainstream religious leaders. Martin Luther broke from the catholic church because of horrendous corruption, I already mentioned the crusades and the Muslims in the 7th and 8th centuries. Bishops in the middle ages were so corrupt they built fortresses and maintained armies to protect themselves from the masses. Henry VIII started his own church because he couldn’t buy a divorce. The inquisition is still another example and the people taken in emotionally and financially by con men evangelists who live high on the hog still another. I do not know much about eastern religion, but I suspect similar situations have occurred over the ages.
These things will always occur when human beings are running large organizations that deal with the emotional needs of other humans. What is most shocking to me is the ease with which large numbers of individuals are manipulated.
You mentioned Hitler. He was not religiously motivated, but he used the Jews as a scapegoat and was able to convince an entire nation of its superiority and to do unimaginable things.
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I agree with you totally.
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Dick…you are certainly waxing philosophic here. It will be interesting to see how many comments this elicits. I agree with your premise that religion is a device concocted by humans to either cope with the unknown or persuade other people into thinking/acting in a certain way which makes them controllable. In many cases the discussion of religion devolves into a different argument about the existence of a god or gods, which pretty much ends any rational discussion. If you asked me how the world will end and gave me a choice of three. 1- because of religion (wars, terrorism), 2- a huge asteroid hitting earth, 3- a worldwide pandemic, I’d have to say religion is the odds on favorite. Anyway, good luck on this one.
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I hope there is discussion. I would like to here other views.
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AMEN!!!
I could not agree with you more.
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