I pulled the plug on religion in 2003, when the U.S. had taken our country to Iraq on false pretenses, and our fearless leaders were chanting, "Onward Christian Soldier." I knew that none of this was Christian in any context (my father was an Episcopalian priest, so I had received my induction through him) but it forced me to look deeper into the 'true purpose' of our leaders. And to question authority at every step. I don't have the answers, but I certainly have the questions.
Very wise, Carole. As for me, I know I come across as anti-religion, but I'm not, actually. I'm against people telling us how and what to think, pretending to have wisdom when they don't, trying to manipulate us, and being hypocritical. Unfortunately, those criteria heavily overlap with religious practice. Thanks for commenting, Carole!
I have always had a problem with religion when one side says that if you don't believe as we do, you are going to hell. In fact, growing up in Los Angeles we had neighbors who were Baptists. They told me as a Jew, god doesn't like me, and unless we accept Jesus, we are going to hell.
Yes, Geri, while I wasn't raised Baptist (I was exposed to harder core than that), I was taught to believe that *everyone* was going to hell who didn't believe like we did. Turns out, I still might go to hell, Geri, and if I do, I'll look for you and Rick both. Friends should burn together.
“When a state treats its citizens as an existential threat then that state ceases to be a democracy.”
― Suchitra Vijayan
You bring up many solid questions, Tim especially your last one, "Whet's the true price of entry?"
Thanks, Larry. Great quote, too.
I pulled the plug on religion in 2003, when the U.S. had taken our country to Iraq on false pretenses, and our fearless leaders were chanting, "Onward Christian Soldier." I knew that none of this was Christian in any context (my father was an Episcopalian priest, so I had received my induction through him) but it forced me to look deeper into the 'true purpose' of our leaders. And to question authority at every step. I don't have the answers, but I certainly have the questions.
Very wise, Carole. As for me, I know I come across as anti-religion, but I'm not, actually. I'm against people telling us how and what to think, pretending to have wisdom when they don't, trying to manipulate us, and being hypocritical. Unfortunately, those criteria heavily overlap with religious practice. Thanks for commenting, Carole!
I have always had a problem with religion when one side says that if you don't believe as we do, you are going to hell. In fact, growing up in Los Angeles we had neighbors who were Baptists. They told me as a Jew, god doesn't like me, and unless we accept Jesus, we are going to hell.
Yes, Geri, while I wasn't raised Baptist (I was exposed to harder core than that), I was taught to believe that *everyone* was going to hell who didn't believe like we did. Turns out, I still might go to hell, Geri, and if I do, I'll look for you and Rick both. Friends should burn together.