Brilliant
words from the Father of the United States Constitution, which all Americans of
all degrees of all or no faiths really need to read and understand. This is
relevant to every human being on Planet Earth who believes that their religion
makes them superior and therefore fit to rule others.
“During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution.”
“What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people… A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not."
“Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other sects?”
James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance, addressed to the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of VA, 1795
Although
Madison was addressing those who then (and now to an extent) believed that the
United States of America should be a "Christian nation," the thought
process is as much or more relevant to Islam. Theocracies like Iran and Saudi
Arabia (supposedly a monarchy, but only because they suck up to their domestic
Wahabi fanatics) do little to help their populations by cramming religious
dogma down their throats. Likewise Hindu dominated India has fostered for years
a mindset toward women that they are having a terrible time reversing . Isn't
it odd that Fundamentalist Christians, Hiindus and Muslims all denigrate women
with respect to their freedom, sexuality and place as religious leaders? It
seems to me that if any of the world's professed divinely inspired religions were
so obviously just, right and beneficial that there would be no need to enforce
their observance. If the Taliban are right, why do they have to use terrorism
and force to get others to see the rectitude of their viewpoint? If
Christianity is truly God's will, why were there Crusades, Inquisitions, witch
burnings and continuing persecution of various minorities in his name? Why kill
people in the name of a deity who allegedly loves everyone equally?
I leave the subject for now with
several additional quotes which relate to my question:
"It's fair to say that the Bible contains equal
amounts of fact, history, and pizza." --Penn Jillette
"I refuse to prove that I exist" says God,
"for proof denies faith, and without faith, I am nothing." "Oh," says man, "but the Babel
Fish is a dead give-away, isn't it? It
proves You exist, and so therefore You don't.
Q.E.D." "Oh, I hadn't
thought of that," says God, who promptly vanishes in a puff of logic. ~ Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker's Guide to the
Galaxy
"Those to whom his word was revealed were
always alone in some remote place, like Moses. There wasn't anyone else around
when Mohammed got the word either. Mormon Joseph Smith and Christian Scientist,
Mary Baker Eddy, had exclusive audiences with God. We have to trust them as
reporters---and you know how reporters are. They'll do anything for a
story." --Andy Rooney
"It seems to me that the idea of a personal God
is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously. I also cannot
imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere... Science has been charged
with undermining morality, but the charge is unjust. A man's ethical behavior
should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs;
no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to
be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." -
Albert Einstein
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