Last Sunday I picked up a magazine marking a holy day. It forced me to ponder religion at a time when secular humanism is burgeoning.
Organised religion has seeded rich cultures, financed magnificent works of art, & inspired philanthropic deeds. Yet, in asserting claims to unique paths to redemption, many of the faithful committed atrocities, destroyed art & literature, & retarded progress. Religion is a gilded cage & faith is a locked-in syndrome. Faith is not a precondition for kindness & culture.
The intellectual poverty of religious debate (e.g. predestination, trans-substantiation, justification, & the trinity) is shocking, & the assumptions of the rights & rewards of the faithful are anathema. Science shows us our humble place in the cosmos & common humanity in spite of politics & culture. Truth defends itself, requiring no priests, no rituals, no blind faith, & no cruelty.
Truth loves to be questioned & gladly changes when in error. Truth is forever young and forever free. Truth is the enemy of religion.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
