When Religions Attack!

I have been chastised in the past for talking about things I consider to be the evil parts of Christianity in its modern form. Why one can't criticize one's own youthful religious indoctrination in an objective manner is something I don't understand (not that there really is such a thing as true Objectivity). Growing up, I came to realize that as soon as we were told not to question things...we'd better start questioning.

In my reading, I came across a statement by the Dalai Lama that called the Christian religion's proselytizing to children, "Evil".

Evil? How dare he!

At first I was shocked, but then, after thinking about it, I thought, "Well, Sure, now that you mention it."

Most adults have few defenses against propaganda, how can we expect children to critically think about things adults tell them? This is the thinking behind the Nazi Youth Corps.

I have had many moments of anguish deciding how to explain some religious imperative blurted at one of my children by a nonthoughtful adult. How do you explain to a wondering child, how an adult in a position of responsibility, can advocate some version of the Ten Commandments in your face, which says "thy shalt not bear false witness" and "Thou shalt not kill", and then tell huge lies and advocate war?

By attacking a person's ability to think critically when they are young and defenseless, they become incapable of deep thoughtful criticism later in life. As a result of this, I lay most of the world's troubles at the foot of organized religion. I will probably be burned at the stake for pointing it out.

Having the stupid mindless tragedy of the Vietnam War and incipient military service via the Draft as backdrops to my young daily life, I became very questioning. All I asked of my religion was honesty, which it could not deliver.

This led me to the inescapable conclusion, jumping to public afairs that Eisenhower was so rightly heroic in his warnings about the Military-Industrial complex, which is known technically as "Fascism" when enshrined as government....And then...

President Eisenhower's public heroism is dwarfed only by his ultimate cowardice in failing to name Organized Religion as Fascism's most bankrupt accomplice.

"God Bless America"

"One Nation, Under God"

(Sorry, It's not my place to order god to do anything...and the phrase "under god" actualy means "Under the currently most powerful religious organization". a travesty when compared to the original, "One Nation , Indivisible".)

Those statements are obviously wrong, judged by actual christian standards, and yet they ride around on the back of hundreds of thousands of cars next to the yellow ribbon "Support Our Troops" stickers which don't mean support our troops at all but rather, "Support George Bush's War".

Isn't it funny how a yellow ribbon can be corrupted?

Originally it came from a fictional short story published in Reader's Digest, about a convicted felon who had been released from prison after serving four years in jail (four years being the enlistment period for the Army. How ironic is that?). The yellow ribbon was tied around a tree in the yard to say it's ok to come home. Even though you are a convict and four years being about average for armed robbery or manslaughter or any one of several other viscious crimes against people, you can come home and all will be forgiven.

(Does anyone else see the irony in comparing our troops to a criminal?)

Well, I think it is ok to forgive, but we should never forget!

And we must always question!

Those in power will lie to us if we let them. They must always be questioned...No one gets a free pass!

In America, a Free Press is supposed to publicly question our government in performing its role in Constitutional America. When George W. Bush's Whitehouse operatives were found to be paying members of the press to "advocate" rather than question, it should have been marked as the greatest violation of Constitutional principles in American history.

Why can't the American people see this? Is it because they were so damaged in their thinking ability when they were young?

I think so!

This is why there will always be war between established religion and free public schools. This is why the separation of church and state is so damned important.

Believe what you will...

But know the truth!


Peace,

Steve

********

I've taken to reading PW on a regular basis.

"Born again -- the spiritual equivalent of declaring bankruptcy and no longer being responsible for your past actions."

PW



Robert sends this:

In keeping with our religious sensitivities & understanding that our computers can be attacked from unexpected sources - this is important news.


You have just received the Amish Virus. Since we do not have electricity or computers, you are on the honor system.

Please delete all of your files.

Thank you.