Religion has been a part of humanity since the first astronomers peered into the sky and created elaborate stories to define the movements of our universe. It made its way into our minds as we fearfully created devils and demons to explain the danger lurking in the darkness of night. It has both enchanted and burdened us as we attempt to define our world with the information available to us as we work our way through history.
However, things are quickly changing. For a growing number of us worldwide, what was once indescribable is now easily explained by the vast data we have gathered as we work towards refining our understanding. We are becoming painfully aware that, although our religions gave us a starting place for thinking about how our world functions, they no longer serve us in that process; and in fact, have left a trail of destruction in their historic path.
Here are 15 ways religion is destroying humanity
1. The hypocrisy of claiming to know God but demeaning people
2. Disparaging practitioners of other faiths as a sign of devotion to yours
3. Casting judgment upon others while giving yourself a pass
4. Dividing the world up into “us” and “them”
5. Fostering fear of God
6. Telling people they are inherently bad
7. Repressing individuality and demanding conformity
8. Casting disapproval on those who question
9. Perpetuating a superiority class structure of “clergy” and “laity”
10. A performance-based system of earning God’s love and approval
11. Assigning maleness to God and esteeming men over women
12. Allowing differences of beliefs to prevent working alongside others to alleviate suffering in our world
13. Praying for divine intervention without taking direct action
14. Claiming a close relationship with God while perpetuating discord and hostility in human relationships
15. Using religious beliefs to rationalize or justify hate, violence, injustice, oppression, discord, the affliction of human or planetary suffering
Humanity’s most vicious ambitions have been carried out in the name of gods no one has ever seen and beliefs followers are not willing to question and investigate. Until humankind learns to more closely examine their beliefs, wars waged in ignorance will continue to plague our species and prevent lasting peace.
It’s time to let go and rise above the outdated and cruel exploits of our past that we inherited from our ancestors, and realize that our early misinterpretations of our world do not have to define the future of humanity. We have grown. We have reached a time in our history where the misunderstandings of the past must be reconciled and the truth about the origins of our early beliefs must be revealed. It’s time that our world’s religions face the tragic horrors of their past and make honest progression towards love and kindness for all of humanity.
Our world, our peace and our growth all depend upon us and our ability to move forward in our understanding. It’s time to embrace our humanity and cultivate the harmonious future we all deserve.