Grow Up!

This may sound like a strange way of putting it but I believe part of the problem with fundamentalists is that they are not puzzled enough. Unless we are profoundly puzzled by something, our minds are not open to inquiry. It all boils down to how important truth is to us. To get at truth, it’s necessary that we have the capability to entertain a thought or idea and still be capable of rejecting it. People who are genuinely interested in truth have this capability.  Scientists have this capability and we can thank them for most of the progress made in our short reign as sentient creatures on our small planet.

Of course fundamentalists are fond of reminding us that “science isn’t everything” or “logic isn’t everything.” This is true. In our human experience we have discovered music, art, comedy and other pursuits that don’t necessarily depend on logic and science.

But religion doesn’t fall within those examples. Religion is a belief. Belief, to be accepted must be consistent and not contradictory. Religions (Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Mormonism and Hinduism) are not only contradictory with each other, they are internally contradictory.  For example the Christian bible is chocked full of contradictions which a cursory internet search will quickly reveal.

 Jesus allegedly said (Matthew 18:3) “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

I disagree. The last thing we need to do is become as little children. Little children will believe anything an adult chooses to implant in their innocent brains.  No, we should not become as little children. We should grow up.