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This post contains criticism of religion and belief in god. If that sort of thing bothers you scroll by.
I do not mind or care whether anyone believes in a god (or gods, or any other deities), that isn't my business, but I have a great many issues with the way god as an idea and what religion as an institution does in the world we live in today.
I was told my previous post about religion was a tad sombre.
Let me just reiterate. I'm very happy having no soul.
I'm very happy not being religious.
I'm actually really relieved that I've come to the conclusion that I didn't need to believe anything, because I tried to be a believer, but unfortunately my scepticism and doubt are always my greater motivations towards curiosity.
I do think religion constricts thought. I think the idea of "God" (or any dogma) that relies on an ultimate absolute truth is something humanity needs to overcome.
Traditions and histories that bring "tribes" together are important, I wouldn't be who I am without the Jewish tradition and its blood drenched history.
I've been called intolerant more than once for being vehemently anti-religious. Because, I am. I think religion as a rule does more harm than good. You can call Reform as much as you like, the notion that there's some underlying law removed from this world and it somehow is a force of causality in this world just doesn't make any logical sense.
It also comes down to the fact that religion is a force of tangible law and affects people's lives in a way that doesn't mesh with the right to be free of and from religion. That some, not all, but enough, follow the "ethical" decrees of religion without any question asked is bothersome and scary.
That there are laws that apply to one subset of the population, but not to another is prejudicial and unjust.
Change can only come from questioning authority.
Religion is possibly the most tangible force of oppressive authority I can think of. Patriarchy, Racism and Heterosexism all coalesce together under religion.
Yes, there are non-Patriarchal religions, there are religions that preach against Racism. Religion has been a great tool in the fight against racism... heterosexism doesn't appear to be challenged.
I also speak from a position of great material privilege.
To me that means that the distribution of wealth, health and hope in a better world here on earth is what is needed, not religious charities that do their best to convince their followers that through their suffering, through their mitvot, through their whatever the preacher says they must do, they will be rewarded in some other world or way.
God is a way of thinking the world. It is a limiting one. It stops you from seeing other things because everything is filtered through that idea.
Humanity is a part of this world.
We've grown past the need for gods and monsters to explain earthquakes, death, life and the chrysalis.
Why are we holding on so tightly still?
Yes, I'm a heretic in the eyes of many. Those are not the eyes who matter to me, nor should they matter at all.
I do not mind or care whether anyone believes in a god (or gods, or any other deities), that isn't my business, but I have a great many issues with the way god as an idea and what religion as an institution does in the world we live in today.
I was told my previous post about religion was a tad sombre.
Let me just reiterate. I'm very happy having no soul.
I'm very happy not being religious.
I'm actually really relieved that I've come to the conclusion that I didn't need to believe anything, because I tried to be a believer, but unfortunately my scepticism and doubt are always my greater motivations towards curiosity.
I do think religion constricts thought. I think the idea of "God" (or any dogma) that relies on an ultimate absolute truth is something humanity needs to overcome.
Traditions and histories that bring "tribes" together are important, I wouldn't be who I am without the Jewish tradition and its blood drenched history.
I've been called intolerant more than once for being vehemently anti-religious. Because, I am. I think religion as a rule does more harm than good. You can call Reform as much as you like, the notion that there's some underlying law removed from this world and it somehow is a force of causality in this world just doesn't make any logical sense.
It also comes down to the fact that religion is a force of tangible law and affects people's lives in a way that doesn't mesh with the right to be free of and from religion. That some, not all, but enough, follow the "ethical" decrees of religion without any question asked is bothersome and scary.
That there are laws that apply to one subset of the population, but not to another is prejudicial and unjust.
Change can only come from questioning authority.
Religion is possibly the most tangible force of oppressive authority I can think of. Patriarchy, Racism and Heterosexism all coalesce together under religion.
Yes, there are non-Patriarchal religions, there are religions that preach against Racism. Religion has been a great tool in the fight against racism... heterosexism doesn't appear to be challenged.
I also speak from a position of great material privilege.
To me that means that the distribution of wealth, health and hope in a better world here on earth is what is needed, not religious charities that do their best to convince their followers that through their suffering, through their mitvot, through their whatever the preacher says they must do, they will be rewarded in some other world or way.
God is a way of thinking the world. It is a limiting one. It stops you from seeing other things because everything is filtered through that idea.
Humanity is a part of this world.
We've grown past the need for gods and monsters to explain earthquakes, death, life and the chrysalis.
Why are we holding on so tightly still?
Yes, I'm a heretic in the eyes of many. Those are not the eyes who matter to me, nor should they matter at all.
