Indoctrination and fear

They usually rely on “writings from god” or “gods” as definitive proof and therefore licence to commit whatever evil they so desire. To my knowledge there is not a single shred of proof for any of these writings. Be it the Bible, Koran, Talmud, Sutras, or whatever texts.

The medieval “dark ages” were a direct result of religious, societal control.

Enlightened witch burning? Redemptious torture? “Indulgences” for the rich to commit any crime with prior forgiveness. Nowadays,you must ask forgiveness, after your “sin”, to receive absolution, then you may go “sin” again.

History clearly shows that any society that relies on religion for moral guidance hastily plummets into barbarism. Our own society displays this. Current fundamentalist governed countries are shining examples of the savagery of religious tolerance. The US has been taken over by this and is without doubt the greatest threat to world peace since Hitler (another “good Christian” by the way).

As to moral guidance, we obtain our morals from the society we live in. We learn them from our parents, siblings, friends and any others we interact with. This is a basic part of any culture. We are a group animal, and as such we must find ways to interact, not just peacefully, but co-operatively for the benefit of ourselves and our progeny. This is how we have evolved successfully to the current state of the world.

There has always been a few in love with the idea of power through whatever means, and they have been, without exception, the cause of enormous death, destruction and suffering. But most people are, by nature and nurture, easygoing, tolerant, kind, understanding and persistent. It is primarily the mercenary and insidious attack on their fears causing the weakness that allows these few “Hitlers” to flourish, albeit for a short time.

Religions have always played on the fear of the unknown. This works best on the ignorant, hence the religious idea that “too much learning is dangerous for your soul”. Yeah, right.

My hope rests on the persistence of people. Slowly but surely we're progressing to a time when it will be clear to most that religions, and the tyrants they beget, are unnecessary and not to be countenanced.

My despair is that it’s taking so long.

People who choose to believe in invisible friends take those learned moral standards with them. Their strength of character determines how long they can withstand the corrosive effect of the immorality they elect to swim in.

An enlightened society is only possible through example, emulation, education (and I'm not referring to schools), tolerance, individuality and the freedom to consider and discuss ideas that are new, different, revolutionary, unpopular and even immoral.