Originally Posted by Charismatic

As someone who spent many years living in the West of Ireland I did want to write a bit about the Catholic Church and recent finding of hundreds of childrens bodies disposed of in a septic tank (most likely after dying of disease or malnutrition while in "care" by contemporary accounts). However the words would not come to me, I cannot convey how I feel about this at this time…too bristley, too hot.


Instead I thought I’d write about something else related. Are we over the cult of religion yet? Surely there must be a pivot point at some stage where a sufficient number of people realise religion is harming humanity, humanism must become the overwhelming priority for us, the humans. Yet each passing day, week, month and year despite a crushing weight of evidence amassing society still clings stubbornly to its beliefs. Each time I hear of another religiously linked case of sexual abuse, suicide bombing or an array of other horrors I hope a little inside that this will finally be the straw that breaks the Camel’s back. Alas to date this has not been forthcoming.

I think there is cause to argue that religion is the most dangerous and pervasive disease humanity has ever faced, in large part because we refuse to treat it as a disease. We don’t want to discuss its inter-generational transmission, its evolution or its effects on individuals and society. Far easier to turn a blind eye and see it as a sort of…warm and fuzzy nostalgia in an ever changing world. In truth however alongside the obvious toll of religion through the hate it inspires (war, tribalism, torture, mutilation, discrimination…etc.) it also costs through lost opportunity. From the ill-informed parochial view that resists genetic engineering that could feed millions, stem cell research that has the potential to treat a variety of diseases and contraception that gives people (often women) life choices. Religion even makes us ashamed and afraid of enjoying the pleasures of being human, we supress our humanness to conform to an irrational view of how a human should be.

Surely better for the human soul and more fulfilling for the mind that people to embrace the energy of that change and play a part in changing the world. We will always have uncertainty and challenges but our inquisitive nature and adaptability will prevail.

When religion is one day weighed in our society and compared to the intrinsic morality, fairness and goodness of humans, as flawed as we are, I am certain we will be truly intellectually and spiritually liberated from a great tyranny. No one is born religious after all.

Originally Posted by kimilseung

I am not following what you are saying.

Originally Posted by Charismatic

...and the events are so unpredictable as to appear random.

Well some people don't have enough to eat or a roof over their head or are excluded from the norms of a society. We often tend to treat this as being deserved rather than random, like poverty is a punishment for idleness and deserved by the recipient. At least with religious belief we can say the world is not a fair place and be compelled to action through empathy. Right?

Originally Posted by Charismatic

So, you see, a rational conclusion is that the cruelty of humans that brings suffering can be tempered by believing in god. So god is a force for good in society, no?

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

That argument falls flat on its face...

Originally Posted by Charismatic

…but I desperately wanted the opinion I asserted to be true. I suppose an opinion has to be based in observable fact now to be universally agreed as being true?

Originally Posted by Charismatic

…but I desperately wanted the opinion I asserted to be true. I suppose an opinion has to be based in observable fact now to be universally agreed as being true?

Originally Posted by Charismatic

…but I desperately wanted the opinion I asserted to be true. I suppose an opinion has to be based in observable fact now to be universally agreed as being true?

Originally Posted by Charismatic

Sadly recent events in Pakistan, Syria, Nigeria, Australia and other countries show we have a very high tolerance for murder if religion is involved.

Someone should start a "Death by Religion" clock that counts the cumulative cost of religion day-by-day.

Originally Posted by Shard

Any such clock should also breakdown the religion involved, as many seem to think each religion is equal in nature.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

If you add a historical aspect to the clock, you'd probably find that over time, the two major offenders in the religious atrocities department pretty much even each other out.

Originally Posted by Shard

I imagine it would. Totally, irrelevant to the present and future, however.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

The potential destructive properties of religion are never irrelevant. Just because the Middle East is making all the headlines at the moment doesn't mean that Christianity isn't still damaging.

Here in the US, many people still suffer to some degree due to the stranglehold Christianity seems to have over lawmakers.

Originally Posted by Shard

Well I didn't quite say that.

I would agree that Christianity is something in urgent need of phasing out, which fortunately, despite this month's festivities, is happening across Europe and to a (much) lesser extent, the USA.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

This month's festivities are increasingly secular in nature as well. I'm happy enough to put up a tree and everything else, as long as nobody starts banging on about Jesus.