Right Wing use of Religion in the West

Submitted by David O Reilly (United States), Apr 17, 2003 at 07:57

Hi people

I just wanted to post a comment to see what you think on this.

Whenever I hear about Islam images of narrow minded uneducated people waring black clothes and working in the sand burning under strong heat.

Where did I get this view? ...the Western World of course, but when one thinks of war they automatically think of that poor woman in the sand with a huge gun killing everyone screaming ALLAH IS GOOD... and not the fact that on the way to work I passed at least 15 Islam followers who were not driving Tanks.

It is very easy to work on our mental images which only the government controlled media give us (such as the BBC in the UK, RTE here in the Republic of Ireland or CNN in the ever war popular states of America). I believe it is also just as easy to turn and take a deep breath and say "Thank god I don't have to live with those narrow minded people".

In Europe we live in a fairly atheist society, indeed we have decended from many religions and since the last 1500 years have been forced to take on a narrow and right wing religion called Christianity. I can make such a comment without worry here, however cross over to America and I might end up dead for saying such a thing, or say I was trying to get into politics, just imagine if I said "I am an Irish Gay White Male who is atheist and I believe in equality for every man, woman and child regardless of race, colour, religion, height, sexuality or eye colour".... just imagine... I wouldn't be seeing The White House ever that is for sure as the people would go ape with my views of freedom in a country where homosexuality is still illegal in some states.

When one looks at the Islamic countries I feel it is important to look at more "direct" masters of the religion and take into consideration that this poor person is brainwashed from a young age with a belief system designed to take away his personal freedom using fear tactics and understand that he is mentally ill, the same can be said for a polition (such a the murdering Bush who has made America lately the most inpopular place in the world) who says "We must follow God and be as one", I would like to ask that polition if they had Magic Mushroom soup and a roll for dinner? as I don't believe in such medevil mind control.

One has to understand that all relgions that set out rules which include "proclaim to others the word of god" are nothing more than a meaningless chant from a mentally ill person who is living in fear. If God really did exist, why is there so many different religions, all that seem to automatically claim that they are right and all the rest are wrong?

Religion can be a lovely pastime for those with time and who like to dream, just like painting or drawing, but when we start pointing the finger at others and saying my painting is better than yours that we are no longer enjoying ourselves but on the way to causing pain and suffering.... and the root of the pain.... taking away the most basic human right of all... personal freedom.

Just my little thought, would be interested in any comments.

Many thanks
David O Reilly
Átha Cliathá / Dublin City
Éire / Rep. Of Ireland

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".