Common morality

Submitted by Canadian Chris (Canada), Sep 4, 2006 at 12:56

I live in a community where there is a variety of religious influences. For the most part we all get along and there is little friction. It is when religious dogma and religious prejudice start showing their heads, that the friction begins. I would love to see a movement to create a humanist philosophy that avoids religious influence. One that is based one what is good for the community and promotes respect for fellow persons. Religion should be a private affair with public displays limited. Cultural identity is fine but cultural bullying is not fine.

No government should bend to the will of a specific religion, in fact when one religion recieves preferential treatment it neglects the rights and safety of another.religion. Ask yourself, when you hear or read about a specific people group getting a special law or a special form of treatment, do you feel somehow diminished? Very few people in our world have experienced a surplus of prosperity, and most of us have to struggle hard for what we do have and for what we enjoy. When there is a report of preferential treatment, resentment will arise. The only way to avoid resentment on a cultural and religious level, is for everyone to be treated equally. To look forward instead of being anchored to the past. It is the only way that the human race will grow. We need compassion for the poor and sick. We need to help without regard for tangible reward, the distressed of our world. This is not a cultural issue it is a human issue.

So to all the religions of the world that promote an elitist fundamental approach to finding God, I say your god would be ashamed of your behaviour. Let your actions as compassionate, life promoting institutions do the talking.

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