REPLY TO DEBORAH THE JUDGE

Submitted by DANIEL REDMOND (United States), Nov 25, 2009 at 04:49

Well, Deborah, I find it interesting that you claim to be able to actually see my computer screen from your own. Perhaps that explains, then, the moony glow emanating from your posting as you bask in the coccoon of delusions you've absorbed from reading your favorite Holy Book. You are correct in asserting that Catholicism is a particularly warped version of Christianity, however this does not in any way negate the reality that Christianity itself is essentially a bizarre death cult fixated relentlessly upon the worship of a deity and the death of one whom Christians claim to have been that deity's son (the "kid" I referred to last time).

As for my appearing---in your eyes at least---to be respectful of Hinduism, I assure you that my perception of the Hindu religion is that it has been every bit as absurd and destructive to human advancement as the other "great" religions of the world. With 160 million people relegated to the subhuman status of "Untouchables" in modern India, Hinduism's impact on humanity remains dismal at best.

You have a curiously inverted viewpoint of the church's historical track record as relates to science when you claim that Christianity's persecution of secular scientists has been a "boil on the churches backside" that has prevented scientists from "embracing Jesus." The reality is that religion, and Christianity in particular, has been a boil on humanity's backside as it has done whatever it could throughout successive centuries to discredit and discourage science from advancing human knowledge. Given the historical plight of scientists faced with threats of death from the church it is no mystery why they didn't wish to "embrace Jesus as their redeemer." For the church to claim 'victim' status for its own past abuses is like a jailed bank robber claiming to be the 'victim' of his own crimes.

Apparently you at least acknowledge that the universe is billions of years old. But even today in the 21st Century multitudes of Christians cling to the idea that God made the world 6,000 years ago and I am quite certain that if given the opportunity to force that world view on all of humanity, Christianity would be happy to do so. As you yourself said, "The key word here is Ignorance." Yes, and that's the whole point---religion fosters the spread of ignorance. (And, yes, I am aware the the apple was a metaphor and not a real piece of fruit.)

Now it might surprise you to learn that most of my friends and relatives are Christians. They are good people and we get along fine. I don't hide my contempt for religion from them but I don't consider their delusional beliefs to render them any less worthy of my affection either. They were unfortunately brainwashed with religious hokum at a very young age, as is always the case, long before they could evaluate what they were being told with the analytical skills acquired with age. Having been inculcated with religious teachings as toddlers and having accepted these teachings on an emotional level when very young, these beliefs are likely to last a lifetime. So be it.

But just for the record, this is what they have been taught:

That an invisible being somewhere in the sky has evolved out of nothing and then willfully created the entire universe out of nothing with a Divine Plan.

That this invisible being listens to them when they talk to him in "prayer" and is willing to intervene in Earthly affairs on their behalf (notwithstanding the fact that this may cause him to have to change his original plan) and protect them from evil.

That a man named Jesus was somehow born of an "Immaculate Conception" as the son of this Supernatural Being who made literally Everything.

That Jesus was killed but later Arose From The Dead.

That God gave mankind free will but if you don't choose what he wants he will send you to a place called Hell where you will burn and rot and suffer for all Eternity. Why? Because he Loves you.

These are all silly irrational beliefs. Period. There is no way to wrap yourself around this nonsense and not see it as being absurd unless you've been deluded by religion into believing it.

So Deborah, believe whatever you want. You be the Judge. I don't care. Just don't expect me to buy into it also. As writer Christopher Hitchens has said, religion was the "first and the worst" attempt by humanity to explain our existence. Now in the 21st Century it is little more than an impediment to progress.

- DANIEL

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