Unlike atheists, religious folks often get so offended if their religious beliefs are questioned.
Mon, 19. April 2010
Scrutinising Religion
For centuries, religion cruelly silenced all non-believers who stood in their way. Whilst the Western World no longer permits religious institutions that extreme solution, religion still subscribes itself to the 'right' to have their strange beliefs exempted from criticism.
Maybe it is because they built their beliefs out of straw and they know they will not stand up to being examined. When subjected to scrutiny of their beliefs, they claim they are offended or are being persecuted. They claim to be moral guardians and also demand the questioner 'prove there is no god'. As Pat Condell once said:
"That’s a tough one. Show me how it’s done by proving Zeus and Apollo don’t exist, and I’ll use your method."
Untouchable for centuries, religion is one of a number of bronze age belief systems that ought to be very closely scrutinised. Their claims ought to be subjected to 'Fair Trading' laws, along with astrologers, clairvoyants, paranormalists, witch doctors and homeopaths, because in none of them does reality play any part and there is no protection for the gullible and the vulnerable. That is immoral.
Whilst many traders are forced to issue 'Product Disclosure Statements', those trading in belief systems; those who peddle extraordinary claims; and those whose businesses promise rewards after death, can lie as much as they like and are never required to uphold modern business ethics. They get a free ride.
Those who rightly question unsustainable religious beliefs are attacked by religious leaders, who regard clear thinking as a threat to their business. These days, what you get with most ordinary religious folks is two parallel but interchangeable world views. The first is clear thinking which is programmed in when they are going about their normal daily routines. Everything that is achieved in human endeavour is actually achieved by human endeavour.
The second world view is the fantasy that a supreme being will listen to their thought-prayers and help them out of their difficulties. It replaces rational thinking in church on Sundays and it automatically over-rides rational thinking whenever a medical emergency occurs.
I have never, ever heard of a single instance where a church has kept a formal Register of Prayers and honestly logged whether they have been answered or not. That is deceitful, because it would provide the only clear evidence that would show whether their extraordinary claims are true or not. The truth would be bad for business.
Religion bizarrely claims to be the sole owner of ethical and moral behaviour. Ethics? Morals? Religion? Don't make me laugh!
"Religion actively discourages moral progress, because religion DEFINES morality as the attitudes that prevailed hundreds or thousands of years ago." (Paula Kirby).
"Religion is like a paper castle that's formidably protected -- with moats and walls, trap doors and vats of boiling oil, attack dogs and armed guards patrolling around the clock. The armour has to be first-rate, because the structure itself can't stand on its own." - (Greta Christina).
Unlike religious folks, atheists do not plead disrespect if their non-beliefs are questioned.
acknowledgements to the cartoonist.