My cousin posted this on her Facebook account…
So, I’m studying for Psych of Religious Experience today, and came across this quote on Wikipedia (because everyone knows that Wikipedia is just as good as lecture notes… kidding. Haha)
“Many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense. Beliefs might lack all supporting evidence but, we thought, if people needed a crutch for consolation, where’s the harm? September 11th changed all that. Revealed faith is not harmless nonsense, it can be lethally dangerous nonsense. Dangerous because it gives people unshakeable confidence in their own righteousness. Dangerous because it gives them false courage to kill themselves, which automatically removes normal barriers to killing others. Dangerous because it teaches enmity to others labeled only by a difference of inherited tradition. And dangerous because we have all bought into a weird respect, which uniquely protects religion from normal criticism. Let’s now stop being so damned respectful!”
Thoughts…?
I’m not sure what the limit is on words in a comment, but when I tried to post mine it said that I was over the allowable limit by 2464. Here is my response…
Where to start? I thought for a moment that I would bite my tongue, who cares what that person thinks anyways. But I just came from church where I heard a sermon about how when our own honor is challenged anger is neither justified nor righteous, but when God’s honor is attacked we have a responsibility to speak the truth, in His name.
For the writer, I would prescribe an education in the various religious and spiritual beliefs. I admit that some religious sects do fit into some/all of these stigmas, but that is simply all they are, stigmas. And as with any generalization, whether it is race, culture or spiritually based, it is never true of all those grouped together.
“Lethally dangerous nonsense.” Yes, the extreme beliefs of some sects, combined with the extreme personalities of some people can produce lethal danger. I am a Christian. I believe that GOD IS LOVE. So, if I become extreme about my beliefs I will love every person, I don’t think that’s going to kill anyone.
“Unshakeable confidence in their own righteousness.” I don’t believe that I am better or more righteous than anyone, no matter of their spiritual beliefs. I believe that God loves everyone equally, whether they are Christian or not; He died for each and every one of us – it is our choice whether we receive the salvation and mercy that He created for us.
“False courage to kill themselves.” My mission as a Christian is to spread the Word of God and to glorify Him in doing so. I am going to Heaven; I want you and every other person on Earth to be there with me. I want to teach others about His love for them and His passion for their lives. I want others to see the wonders and miracles He has granted in my life. How can I do all that if I am dead? I have to be here, leading by example and growing in my relationship with Him.
“Removes normal barriers to killing others.” Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.” It does not say, thou shalt not kill unless you declare that I have commanded it, or unless you’re very mad, or unless you feel that your life is threatened. It says, very clearly, THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
“Enmity to others.” We are all equals under God, no matter of back ground, upbringing or religion. Again, GOD IS LOVE. As a Christian my job is to embody God’s spirit, Jesus’ spirit, therefore my job is to BE love to every person I encounter.
“Protects religion from normal criticism.” Go ahead, criticize my beliefs. I will have an answer for nearly every challenge. If I don’t know the answer, I will find it. If it is ‘impossible’ to prove, I will ask God when I get to Heaven. God is not self conscious or insecure. He is not upset by a question or attack; trust me, I’ve attacked Him. He created you and if you honestly and longingly listen, you will hear His voice and then you can challenge Him yourself.
So many people say that they hate religion but many of them have never taken the time to explore it with an open mind or heart. I don’t like religion. But I LOVE the spiritual relationship I have with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship. Please don’t stick me in a group and think you know anything about what I believe. Ask me, I will be thrilled to tell you what I believe, and why, and how I got here. Some people will still say it’s just not for them and that is 100% ok. But it IS for me.
