Let's face it. Tolerance for other religions is bad for religion. As long as people only knew about their own religion (translation: their parents' religion) they didn't question it. As soon as they became aware there were a lot of religions and theirs only one among them, then the question of why this one rather than that one raised its ugly head. Religious instruction is sometimes smuggled into public school under the guise of "comparative religion" but that will only hasten its down fall. Once people know there are not dozens but hundreds of religions, the inevitable question arises. Which one?
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Thank you, Revere! If I ever decide to become religious, this is a wonderful how-to guide.
Posted by: C. Corax | May 11, 2008 9:19 AM
This is sort of the way the loss of my parent's religion happened to me. I read the encyclopedia we had at home (World Book) and a book on other religions that some how got into our house. That was it. I was hooked on finding out about all the OTHER religions besides my own. At age 9, I decided my parents were deluded and I wasn't going to be any more. I did attend their church, you sort of have to if you live under someone else's largess and are a minor. But at age 16,with a drivers license in m y hands, I ditched their church and attended other denominations. I wasn't looking for anything just observing the pastor, rabbi or minister and the other people. It was a lot of fun, but it didn't make me pick up any religion ever again. I'm happily atheist and have been for over 40 years.
Posted by: G in INdiana | May 11, 2008 10:22 AM
G thanks for your story. Its funny, but religious folks can't believe that atheists can be happy (or moral). But most are both. Since I gave up religion much later in life after seriously dedicating myself to the ethics of Jesus (something most Christians avoid like the plague) I found a sort of lost feeling for a while. But being "saved" from boring sermons made up for that rather quickly. I am a happier person now than I was as a believer because I am no longer wasting my time and emotions trying to find some way to paint Jehovah as good, a project that keeps theologians busy and well paid (since it can't be done they will never be out of work)
Posted by: K | May 11, 2008 10:43 AM
Faith is within you, and what or for what that manifests itself is within you.. Religions are social entities that let one socially share a common belief, BUT more importantly "the church" is a great social entity to help the community do things that are good for society, and most important a means to help the poor and unfortunate who need help.
Posted by: Edna Nigh | May 11, 2008 3:10 PM
Picky thing -- Buddhism certainly is an evangelical religion. Maybe he should file it under "religions he can't be bothered to research." :p
Posted by: caia | May 11, 2008 3:22 PM
As yes Edna, among the "good" things the church has done are The Inquisition, the justification of slavery, the looking away while blacks were lynched, the use of the power of the church to abuse children, the building of grand buildings from the tithes of the poor, the preaching of hell and damnation, the keeping of people in their place by preaching the doctrine of reincarnation, etc etc etc. Even the most benign seeming sermons such as mother's day sermons can hurt - the child who is physically or emotionally abused by Mom in confusion thinks they are at fault since Mom's are God's hero women.
The good that religions do is in my opinion totally negated by the evil they do.
Posted by: K | May 12, 2008 9:05 AM
Loved this one revere. Surprised it didn't get more comments.
What he said was funny and I adore the touch of the yellow teeth on the grey guy.
Visuals play an important role.
Posted by: Lea | May 12, 2008 1:56 PM