Religious Prejudice
by
Iyan Igma
Religions instill prejudice. Despite commandments not to judge others, and such, it occurs. Some of the most devout people are some of the most prejudiced.
History proves this point. Throughout the history of the Catholic church, “heretics” and other religions have been persecuted. It was just not healthy to be a Jew or Muslim during the Inquisition. The Islamic church felt superior to the infidels of other faiths, and even if one would fain argue that Muslims are, the point is that such is prejudice. The Hebrews, while carving out their own share of Canaan, were ordered not to mix with those other peoples in that land and to kill them all. Depending upon interpretation, this might be considered biased or slanted. Even today in Northern Ireland, Catholics and Protestants lose their lives because of the hatred between religions. This also occurs between the Jews and Palestinians. Frequently.
In personal experience, this has held true as well. Once I, like a handful of my friends, was extremely prejudiced by association, for no tangible reason. This resulted in me missing out on some really great music, not because of the work itself, but because it was esteemed taboo by the Christian churches, or at least those in the locale. The Pumpkins actually made good music, but the songs were sung by someone other than Veggie Tales. These same people that will not expand their musical tastes are the same ones that frequently glance over a person, judge them, refuse, outside of gossip, to acknowledge the possibility of their existence, and remain unwilling to, if not befriend, acquaint that person and his mind.
Terrorism
Modern religion is terrorism. One isn’t inspired to attain heavenly salvation or to desire to praise Him, so much as to avoid going to the other place. The Bible tells significantly more about that Hell than it does about that City. It dwells upon the woeful outcome of sinners and the great gnashing of teeth. Revivals and religious events almost always end with some comment stating, “Repent sinners, for you could be riding home in thirty minutes, partake in an accident, and go straight to Hell!” One is more or less frightened into salvation and not led to the glory for the proper purpose, which is Love.
The Joys of Sin
Sex is a sin and great evil; there will be none in heaven. When Adam and Eve were yet pure, God shielded them from thus. After the fruit fiasco, He punished them in many ways, and sex was one of them. Many of the “pleasures” of this earth are no more than a punishment meted out by God as the retribution of life. Should humans experience the lust and greed and fame which are taken for granted to be the pillars of earthly civilization, then mortals will appreciate the subservient poverty and insignificance Heaven promises.
But, though God would punish us with sin, he would not turn us loose to its anarchy sans repercussions. If one can do without, then one is much better for this abstinence.; for it breeds character. Sex is the perfect example of this. Adam and Eve were protected from it by innocence, as all are, initially. With the loss of innocence, it became a punishment. As sex evolved into a taboo splendour, the punishment required its own punishment. Pregnancy served as the protection against unwed trespass, for it was telling. Humanity countered this with forms of birth control. God would not be toyed with and plagued the wretched with disease; one should not sin sans punishment. As we humans cure disease after disease, the question now becomes “As what will the next divine pregnancy prevention scheme manifest?”
