It would be a shame, after all the uproar about intolerance to religion, if the good citizens of our country continue to ignore a similar problem; irreligious intolerance. According to a Pew Research Poll, some 50 million of our citizens who do not profess a belief in the supernatural are looked upon less favorably than gays, lesbians, illegal immigrants and Muslims, even though in some Muslim countries today, those professing atheism can (and probably would) be beheaded.
In any given religion, we can point to wisps of wisdom, but even a cursory examination reveals that belief systems are not exclusive for discovering truth. The fact is truth will stand on its own. Truth does not require faith, let alone revelation or inspiration.
Meanwhile, prominent religious leaders, trembling over one religious crackpot with 50 followers, cling to each other for support because of the so-called “threat” to Islam. Somehow the lesson is lost that the unfalsifiable and wildly differing religious claims continue to divide us as families, tribes, regions and nations.
Look carefully at the thin shroud of belief and our irreligious intolerance shows through. Out of 535 members of Congress, only one, Pete Stark of California, openly rejects belief in the supernatural. Most candidates, in order to win election, must pretend to be a “person of faith”. It appears to matter not to the electorate which faith, even though most belief systems are so disparate they could never be reconciled. Yet we venerate their contradictory and unfalsifiable claims as if they were legitimate.
Its almost as if religious leaders are terrified that too much publicity will cause adherents to examine more closely just what it is they believe and why they believe it. If in fact this happens and citizens jettison their faith and belief in favor of knowledge and truth, the loony bigoted preacher with his little band of zombie followers may actually have accomplished something wonderful.
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Charlie said, "If in fact this happens and citizens jettison their faith and belief in favor of knowledge and truth, the loony bigoted preacher with his little band of zombie followers may actually have accomplished something wonderful."
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I have been telling people. People like this and those who use religion for political gain are causing churches to implode. They are literally self-destructing. As you know, Europe has already done so. It will take the USA a little longer, but I watch it happening on a daily basis.
Jim
From your wise mouths to god's ears! Heh heh; couldn't resist. Maybe that is the cause of all the turmoil, the unreality of religion is becoming real to folks who have long been in denial.
ReplyDeleteBTW, one of the things I have noticed is the large number of over 50 crowd who flock to the church to get "saved." Denny and I did our church thing early on (in our 20s to 40s), as any well indoctrinated child should do. My guess is they are trying to "escape" hell and/or escape the truth that there may be absolutely nothing after death.
I am getting to where I gag when I hear people talk about who they are going to see in heaven. Pitiful.
Thanks Charlie and Jim,
"I will look unto the hillbillies, from whence cometh my help."
I feel I can say that since I'm one too! heh heh
CA gal