Faith + Essay

It is often argued that if it makes people happy to believe in a god who will protect them from the evils of this universe and who will let them live an eternal life of happiness after death (if they behave), then what is the harm? Unfortunately there is a great deal of harm. A simple look at the definitions of “faith” and of “delusion” show a worrisome connection. The definition of faith is unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence, to be convinced, to be fully persuaded and have complete reliance upon. Similarly, delusion is defined as a false belief strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence. The fact that one is accepted as good and moral and the other is seen as a disability is blasphemy . What I find most concerning is the effect religion has when thrust upon a child’s developing mind. Children are being taught belief as fact and because of this are in danger of forever losing the ability to think rationally. They are raised from a young age to avoid accepting reality and no matter how hard those brainwashed children try as adults, to shed the cloak of superstition, it becomes a comfortable niche as they grow older. Unless, of course, their minds have been so deeply infected that the thoughts of natural disbelief have been completely removed from the psyche. Threats of an eternal life of fiery hell and separation from friends and family creates a terrifying enough mental image to ensure that the child remains lost in a fear-induced mindset. These threats can last long after Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny have been recognized as myth. For years we have been told that suffering is “God’s will” instead of something we, ourselves, could do something about. We have become so overcome by our beliefs that we allow our religious faith to tragically turn us against one another. This was proven with the Crusades, the upheaval between the Catholics and the Protestants in Ireland, The Spanish Inquisition, The Salem Witch Trials, Anti- Semitism (WWII), the Pharaohs killing of all the first born sons. Unfortunately the list could go on forever, as this kind of arrogance is still going on today, for example, the degradation of women in some countries. The bible preaches unfairness to women. After all the first woman “temped” the first man and became a sinner. A women’s sense of subjugation begins at birth. The bible explains that after giving birth to a son she is dirty for 7 days, however she is dirty for twice as long if she gives birth to a girl. (Lev.12:2, 5). The subjugation continues, instructions are given on how a man should sell his daughter into slavery (Ex.12:7). Women are again shown on a lower scale than men during marriage, “Thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee.” (Gen.3:16) “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent; for Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one who deceived; it was woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” (I Tim.2:11-14) These lessons were carried on in the minds of religious followers. The leader of the Powerful Christian Coalition was quoted as saying that a proposed equal rights amendment for women was “about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.” I believe that this carelessness for one another occurs because believers tend to lose the ability to identify and sympathize with the fear and suffering of other humans (especially of other religions). They believe that if someone dies then God must have wanted it that way, and if they are good Christians than they have a life of eternal happiness waiting on the other side. We have allowed our species become insensitive and selfish from birth, without ever doubting or rethinking the effects its having on this world. Religion requires a hypocritical attitude and split mind to be present in its followers. Society has always viewed cults as revolting displays of human weakness, an outrageous state of affairs which create psychological home for misfits. This brings us to an important point, What exactly is the difference between religion and a cult? Nothing. For all purposes and intentions the two are identical. Once a cult has gained a degree of social acceptance and success a more flattering name title is assigned: Religion. After all, Christianity was considered dangerous and obscene to the Ancient Romans. We fear what would happen if a cult ever lost control, as they did. Christianity demonstrates the reality of our fears. Believers will choose which excerpts from the bible should be ignored, which should be interpreted and which should be taken literally according to what’s most convenient for their lifestyles. For example: many Christian believers will not have a complete confidence or trust in the bible for its medical advice, yet the same person will argue that the history of creation is literally true. Likewise, after finding out a close friend is suffering from breast cancer a young woman starts a prayer group, and credits it when her friend is cured, however when she notices that her 3 year old son is choking on a small toy she rushes to the phone and dials 911.Why not just pray? After all God is in control, if her son chokes to death it was meant to be and he is in a better place, right? WRONG. It seems as though the human mind even through all of the brainwashing and mind control can still snap back to reality when its needed but how far do you have to go? What needs to happen for that line to be crossed? The human race has become a classroom for religious fanaticism, teaching what to think rather than how to think. We are destroying our own ability to distinguish belief from fact, true from false, right from wrong, and therefore good from evil. We have completely drained ourselves of our power and self worth. We must rely on something outside of ourselves to feel whole. We are slaves to this “higher power” which turns out to be other humans. We force ourselves, our children, and their children to come to suffer psychologically. We are teaching ignorance, creating a disease from it and pretending everything is okay. Pretending, it’s the worst thing we could do. It is creating false hope in a world of hopeless people.