Religion

Britt --

Having read your post, I finally understand why "core curriculum" is a requirement at virtually every university. I hope that by the time you're thru with this course, you understand that religious affiliations are not at all like sports team loyalties!

Religion is an expression of the hopes and fears of people around the world. It has been a way of explaining what is beyond our comprehension. In prehistoric times, an angry thunder god was the reason for storms. Today, people turn to their faiths for some way of coming to grips with the apparent senselessness of life -- such as the deaths of innocent people whether by violence, accident, or illness.

Anyway, on to your bottom-line question ("I totally DON’T get why people kill other people because of “god”). In some respects, your sports fan analogy is entirely "on the mark", and you don't even realize it. You've never read or heard about British soccer hooligans, have you? Decades ago, there was a case of them going on a rampage and killing dozens of Italian fans. "Fan" is an abbreviation for "fanatic"; and many sports fanatics are like religious fanatics in their attitude, "if you're not as loyal and committed to my idol as I am, you're my enemy."

I'm not sure religion is always an excuse for acts of violence and greed, or lust for power -- they sometimes may be so -- but such acts are much easier for persons who've already convinced themselves that "non-believers" are less than human.

Final note: A fanatical belief in the non-existence of God can be as repugnant as religious fanaticism. Consider the Bolshevik Party's seizure of power in Russia in 1917, and its subsequent attempts to wipe out religion in that nation.

How would the world be without the teachings of religion. If it was all about take what you want the world would look like Africa.

Maybe I’m missing some HUGE key element. But I totally DON’T get why people kill other people because of “god”. Originally Posted by brittanylennox

That is because you are proceeding from a false assumption. "God" is not the true reason for their actions. "God" is simply the excuse they use to justify their actions. Being fanatics, they truly believe they are doing it because of "God," but it is actually their hatred that is the root of their evil.

So, perhaps I should have worded my inquiry slightly better.

(no, i don't watch soccer)

Anyone ever see "Religulous" with Bill Mauer? Personally, it is one of my all time favorite documentaries.


So, many of you came to the same conclusion that I did about the whole religion scam. I did not want to include this in my original thread because I wanted to see how many people out there felt the same way.

Yes, I go to a private school... but originally, it was purely for financial reasons. (However, currently, I do believe that the University is trying to compete with Harvard's tuition).

In this class, I think that I am the ONLY person who thinks, "wow, religion is a big sham"... what better way of controlling people than to tell them that they will reap a reward (or pay a price) after they are dead. I think, initially, it was a great way to instill social order and celebrate the community (on a tribal level). But now, not so much.

A theology course I had taken previously explored the Thomas Jefferson Bible. We learned that during the age of reason, it was inappropriate for an educated person to believe bogus, supernatural stories. Instead, Jefferson edited the story to illustrate the importance of being a functional intellectual. In his case, this meant keeping your religious practices private. It also meant minimizing wars based on religion since he intended for no "state" religion to be adopted. Hey- what a great way to save money by NOT always fighting about religion.

I thought, "wow". This man is smart. My neighbor can do his rain dance in the privacy of his home, and I can pray to my hobby gods (you get the point). You do as you please, I do as I please (as far as religion goes). But when we're in public, lets not talk about it so that we don't argue.

And.. here we are 200 years later. STILL fighting.

A few final words, then I'll shut up because 1) I've already hogged enough space and 2) I'd much rather continue this talk with you face-to-face at Starbucks:

1. Religion can be -- as you call it -- a sham that others use to control the gullible; and a tool for the pursuit of political power -- but it is not always so. The early Christians were outcasts in Rome. Centuries (or certainly a millenium) later, their institution was a source of mind control.

2. Like other human activities (including sports), it has brought out the worst in mankind; it has also brought out the best.

I hope that you leave this class with two convictions:

1. To think for yourself (BTW - I respect my daughter's religious choice, which is not my own; I love it that she thinks for herself.);

2. To never tolerate fanaticism, whether its practitioners worship Yaweh, Jesus, or Allah.

AFRICA! Giraffes know a little bit about AFRICA.....actually....most of the countries in Africa are just as "religious" as we consider the USA to be..and the religion is as Brit pointed out...the source for most of the wars that happen there.....for example...Ethiopia is majority Christian...wars on and off for the last 1,000 years with Somalia...(Muslim) ...I spent many years there providing "instant" power to remote areas for a variety of "reasons"....LOL....

brittanylennox wrote:
And.. here we are 200 years later. STILL fighting.

The fanatical sects indoctrinate their young at a very young age with their beliefs. For these kids it is all they know, all they are taught and not much else. The hatred is passed on this way from one generation to the next. Done this way, it is no surprise that the hatred has lasted hundreds of years and will continue to endure unabated.

Religion can and has been a source of conflict precisely because so many people have seen it as such a vital part of their lives. Anything of consequence we feel passionately about makes us susceptible to manipuation and misdirection. Patriotism is the same way. But if you look at the core message of all major religions it invloves love for one's fellow beings.

I agree with the posts where people have said learn from this experience. I know when I was at my religious university I did not always believe what the teacher was saying but I did learn from it and learned what I believe to this day. Those classes helped me evolve to the person I am today and the way I think about things and life in general.
I would never take back those classes or professors no matter how much I disagreed with them or didnt understand what they were saying.

GOOD LUCK

Sigh....women with deep thoughts are so hot

there is faith and then there is religion. i like the first, but not the second.