Who can honestly deny that institutional religion has created havoc, resulting in horrendous damage to mankind throughout history?
The terrible treatment of the adherents of Judaism by the Catholic nations of Europe is well known (some successful money lenders seemingly the exception). Done in the name of God.
For up to 9 centuries, the Muslim rulers of parts of Spain reportedly gave equitable treatment to all residents, especially to those of the Jewish faith (with predictably favourable treatment to converts to Islam). Then came the Spanish Inquisition. The blind destruction by Spanish conquistadores of the cultures of Central and South America is also well known. Again done in the name of God.
Surprisingly, these inhuman atrocities occurred during the reign of an asserted loving Christian god, in contrast to the reportedly fearsome god of the predecessor religion. The way the adherents of this earlier god took over the occupied land granted them by their Lord, and the manner in which their de-pigmented descendants have now re-occupied this land is best ignored – to avoid being accused of being anti-Semite. Confusingly, most of the Semites (language-defined) belong to the successor religion (Islam) on the east coast of the Mediterranean and Arabia.
Currently, some adherents of Islam are displaying ferocious behaviour in the name of, not their god or his Messenger (the Prophet), but a contested rightful heir to the Prophet.
It is sad that the 3 Abrahamic religions, colloquially known as the ‘desert’ religions (in contrast to the ‘forest’ religions further east) are known as fiery and destructive institutional religions. Their great learning and literature, their wonderful art, their superb music, their impressive architecture (I have probably been exposed to all these in my past lives): why bury these in the pursuit of power and blood-letting? And persistently so? And triggering tragic counter-thrusts?
For instance, Genghis Khan reportedly went on his warpath to teach the Muslim states to his west (in Central Asia and further south) a lesson. Stop harassing us, he apparently said.
Could the blood-letting associated with these fiery nations cease were their religions to be de-institutionalised? By letting the more peaceful adherents of these religions (the majority?) to be freed from central control. Is authority really necessary for them?
Seeking control over others is very much a human trait. In astronomically ‘evil’ eras, when cosmological factors from beyond the solar system are claimed by reputable scientists to influence physical, chemical, and biological processes on Earth, greed for power (and everything else) will continue to overwhelm us. Just look at the current conflicts over land, water, national boundaries, and regime control by allegedly civilised people all over the world, representing the majority of religio-cultures.
Voluntarily releasing control over others in the name of a universal (and indivisible) God may be the way to go. The alternative? As the pre-Deluge folklore in many parts of the globe apparently recommended – change your ways before being destroyed by the heavens yet once more.
Has religion benefited mankind? – Part 3
Who can honestly deny that institutional religion has created havoc, resulting in horrendous damage to mankind throughout history?
The terrible treatment of the adherents of Judaism by the Catholic nations of Europe is well known (some successful money lenders seemingly the exception). Done in the name of God.
For up to 9 centuries, the Muslim rulers of parts of Spain reportedly gave equitable treatment to all residents, especially to those of the Jewish faith (with predictably favourable treatment to converts to Islam). Then came the Spanish Inquisition. The blind destruction by Spanish conquistadores of the cultures of Central and South America is also well known. Again done in the name of God.
Surprisingly, these inhuman atrocities occurred during the reign of an asserted loving Christian god, in contrast to the reportedly fearsome god of the predecessor religion. The way the adherents of this earlier god took over the occupied land granted them by their Lord, and the manner in which their de-pigmented descendants have now re-occupied this land is best ignored – to avoid being accused of being anti-Semite. Confusingly, most of the Semites (language-defined) belong to the successor religion (Islam) on the east coast of the Mediterranean and Arabia.
Currently, some adherents of Islam are displaying ferocious behaviour in the name of, not their god or his Messenger (the Prophet), but a contested rightful heir to the Prophet.
It is sad that the 3 Abrahamic religions, colloquially known as the ‘desert’ religions (in contrast to the ‘forest’ religions further east) are known as fiery and destructive institutional religions. Their great learning and literature, their wonderful art, their superb music, their impressive architecture (I have probably been exposed to all these in my past lives): why bury these in the pursuit of power and blood-letting? And persistently so? And triggering tragic counter-thrusts?
For instance, Genghis Khan reportedly went on his warpath to teach the Muslim states to his west (in Central Asia and further south) a lesson. Stop harassing us, he apparently said.
Could the blood-letting associated with these fiery nations cease were their religions to be de-institutionalised? By letting the more peaceful adherents of these religions (the majority?) to be freed from central control. Is authority really necessary for them?
Seeking control over others is very much a human trait. In astronomically ‘evil’ eras, when cosmological factors from beyond the solar system are claimed by reputable scientists to influence physical, chemical, and biological processes on Earth, greed for power (and everything else) will continue to overwhelm us. Just look at the current conflicts over land, water, national boundaries, and regime control by allegedly civilised people all over the world, representing the majority of religio-cultures.
Voluntarily releasing control over others in the name of a universal (and indivisible) God may be the way to go. The alternative? As the pre-Deluge folklore in many parts of the globe apparently recommended – change your ways before being destroyed by the heavens yet once more.
Has religion benefited mankind? – Part 3
Who can honestly deny that institutional religion has created havoc, resulting in horrendous damage to mankind throughout history?
The terrible treatment of the adherents of Judaism by the Catholic nations of Europe is well known (some successful money lenders seemingly the exception). Done in the name of God.
For up to 9 centuries, the Muslim rulers of parts of Spain reportedly gave equitable treatment to all residents, especially to those of the Jewish faith (with predictably favourable treatment to converts to Islam). Then came the Spanish Inquisition. The blind destruction by Spanish conquistadores of the cultures of Central and South America is also well known. Again done in the name of God.
Surprisingly, these inhuman atrocities occurred during the reign of an asserted loving Christian god, in contrast to the reportedly fearsome god of the predecessor religion. The way the adherents of this earlier god took over the occupied land granted them by their Lord, and the manner in which their de-pigmented descendants have now re-occupied this land is best ignored – to avoid being accused of being anti-Semite. Confusingly, most of the Semites (language-defined) belong to the successor religion (Islam) on the east coast of the Mediterranean and Arabia.
Currently, some adherents of Islam are displaying ferocious behaviour in the name of, not their god or his Messenger (the Prophet), but a contested rightful heir to the Prophet.
It is sad that the 3 Abrahamic religions, colloquially known as the ‘desert’ religions (in contrast to the ‘forest’ religions further east) are known as fiery and destructive institutional religions. Their great learning and literature, their wonderful art, their superb music, their impressive architecture (I have probably been exposed to all these in my past lives): why bury these in the pursuit of power and blood-letting? And persistently so? And triggering tragic counter-thrusts?
For instance, Genghis Khan reportedly went on his warpath to teach the Muslim states to his west (in Central Asia and further south) a lesson. Stop harassing us, he apparently said.
Could the blood-letting associated with these fiery nations cease were their religions to be de-institutionalised? By letting the more peaceful adherents of these religions (the majority?) to be freed from central control. Is authority really necessary for them?
Seeking control over others is very much a human trait. In astronomically ‘evil’ eras, when cosmological factors from beyond the solar system are claimed by reputable scientists to influence physical, chemical, and biological processes on Earth, greed for power (and everything else) will continue to overwhelm us. Just look at the current conflicts over land, water, national boundaries, and regime control by allegedly civilised people all over the world, representing the majority of religio-cultures.
Voluntarily releasing control over others in the name of a universal (and indivisible) God may be the way to go. The alternative? As the pre-Deluge folklore in many parts of the globe apparently recommended – change your ways before being destroyed by the heavens yet once more.
Has religion benefited mankind? – Part 3
Who can honestly deny that institutional religion has created havoc, resulting in horrendous damage to mankind throughout history?
The terrible treatment of the adherents of Judaism by the Catholic nations of Europe is well known (some successful money lenders seemingly the exception). Done in the name of God.
For up to 9 centuries, the Muslim rulers of parts of Spain reportedly gave equitable treatment to all residents, especially to those of the Jewish faith (with predictably favourable treatment to converts to Islam). Then came the Spanish Inquisition. The blind destruction by Spanish conquistadores of the cultures of Central and South America is also well known. Again done in the name of God.
Surprisingly, these inhuman atrocities occurred during the reign of an asserted loving Christian god, in contrast to the reportedly fearsome god of the predecessor religion. The way the adherents of this earlier god took over the occupied land granted them by their Lord, and the manner in which their de-pigmented descendants have now re-occupied this land is best ignored – to avoid being accused of being anti-Semite. Confusingly, most of the Semites (language-defined) belong to the successor religion (Islam) on the east coast of the Mediterranean and Arabia.
Currently, some adherents of Islam are displaying ferocious behaviour in the name of, not their god or his Messenger (the Prophet), but a contested rightful heir to the Prophet.
It is sad that the 3 Abrahamic religions, colloquially known as the ‘desert’ religions (in contrast to the ‘forest’ religions further east) are known as fiery and destructive institutional religions. Their great learning and literature, their wonderful art, their superb music, their impressive architecture (I have probably been exposed to all these in my past lives): why bury these in the pursuit of power and blood-letting? And persistently so? And triggering tragic counter-thrusts?
For instance, Genghis Khan reportedly went on his warpath to teach the Muslim states to his west (in Central Asia and further south) a lesson. Stop harassing us, he apparently said.
Could the blood-letting associated with these fiery nations cease were their religions to be de-institutionalised? By letting the more peaceful adherents of these religions (the majority?) to be freed from central control. Is authority really necessary for them?
Seeking control over others is very much a human trait. In astronomically ‘evil’ eras, when cosmological factors from beyond the solar system are claimed by reputable scientists to influence physical, chemical, and biological processes on Earth, greed for power (and everything else) will continue to overwhelm us. Just look at the current conflicts over land, water, national boundaries, and regime control by allegedly civilised people all over the world, representing the majority of religio-cultures.
Voluntarily releasing control over others in the name of a universal (and indivisible) God may be the way to go. The alternative? As the pre-Deluge folklore in many parts of the globe apparently recommended – change your ways before being destroyed by the heavens yet once more.
RAJA ARASA RATNAM 