Roger J. Wendell
Defending 3.8 Billion Years of Organic EvolutionSM
Religion
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"I am respectful of those that practice religion. I think that religion is not the sole source of morality in this world. I'm respectful of it, if that's how you get your center and your bearing, I think that's great. I also think like anything that powerful there's a dark side to it that also needs to be addressed and often times isn't because of how delicate a subject matter it can be."
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There are no religious children, only children of religious parents...
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
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Click Here for more on the missing god... |
Think about it: There are a few billion people who don't agree with your religion and who know, in their hearts, that they are right. You, and those who practice your religion, feel similarly - that you have all the answers and the others are wrong. Ultimately who really is right and who is wrong here? Also, what benefits have any of these religions (yours and theirs) brought us and, more importantly, what harm have they done? Obviously anybody taking a look at history can see there's been a lot of death and destruction brought on by religion, not to mention the abuse of women, ruin of the natural world, and the decimation of other living creatures. I recognize that my little web page isn't going to change anyone's mind. However, what I do hope is that you, gentle reader, stop and reflect for a moment about your own religion. Don't only ask what it's done for you but take a broader look - what really does your religion mean for others, our planet, and our home? Because despite your wildest claims this really is the only home we know for sure - speculating about heaven(s), an afterlife, and a God that's "on our side" is just that - speculation. All any of us know for sure is what we have right here and now on this beautiful little planet adrift off in a small, insignificant corner of the universe. Sacraficing our quality of life and wellbeing for some vague promises and speculation simply isn't worth it. Think about it...
- John Lennon
"So certain people may find Judaism, the Christian tradition, or the Islamic tradition to be most effective for them. Therefore, we must respect and appreciate the value of all the different major world religious traditions."
Corrupt Religious Leaders:
In Need of Honest Work!
What's the one common theme running through all the problems these religious "leaders" and organizations have been having for the past two or three decades? It's obvious: many churches, religions, preachers, priests, and ministers are corrupt, immoral, and consider themselves above the law. As obvious as they continue to make this for us "we" still flock to their sermons, religious services, and other contrived celebrations. What's worse, "we" continue tithing to support their lavish lifestyles while we, ourselves, have to perform honest work to make a living. When will "we" ever learn? When will "we" put a stop to religious corruption?
In 2011 Warren Jeffs was in the news most of the year for his pedophilia. Jeffs, the polygamist sect leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was sentenced to prison on his conviction of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old who were his "spiritual wives." Additionally, during the August 2011 sentencing hearings both a nephew and niece of Jeffs accused him of sexually assaulting them at ages 5 and 7, respectively. During the sentencing phase Jeffs, a self-proclaimed prophet, was quoted as saying, "I am God. Cease. Do not present my holy ways as a thing of naught," "Hear my warning as a full awakening. Let my holy way be of freedom."
According to CNN at the time, Jeffs' breakaway sect was believed to have about 10,000 followers. Their practice of polygamy, which the mainstream Mormon Church renounced more than a century ago, is part of the sect's doctrine...
Religious "leaders" remained in the news for much of 2010. Bishop Eddie Long, known for his public crusades against homosexuality, faced serious allegations of coercing young males into sexual relationships. Reverend Ted Haggard, another anti-homosexual activist, went through a sex and drug scandal involving a former male prostitute about three years prior - In 2010 he began building another church here in my home state of Colorado.
And, finally (for 2010 at least), the Pope was in the news again for his involvement in protecting pedophile priests. Here's what CNN had to say about the matter in September of that year; "Matt McCormick was in the seventh grade when Father Alvin Campbell gave him a ride home from a baseball game. As they were driving along country roads, Campbell put his hand on McCormick's thigh and 'just left it there.' It was the first time the priest had touched him. During the next three years, McCormick says, the abuse would go much further. That was 25 years ago. Just three months ago, he learned that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in keeping his abuser in the church when CNN told him about a letter signed by the pontiff - then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - refusing to defrock the pedophile priest."
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