Why is that? A simple answer: most people's religious faith is not amenable to rational investigation. It was adopted for the emotional reasons, feels "right" and thus cannot stand any questioning of its authenticity. So reason goes out the window.
Consider this statement of fact: The best predictor of what religion a person will adopt is geography. If you were born in Massachusetts, there is a strong likelihood you are a Roman Catholic. If you were born in Georgia, probably Southern Baptist. If in Saudi Arabia, Muslim, and if in India, Hindu. There are exceptions, but the odds that your roots determined your religious identification are overwhelming. A savvy gambler would die for such odds.
But in spite of overwhelming evidence of the accuracy of this observation, religious fundamentalists become irate in their denial that geography had anything to do with their religious stance. They are certain their faith choice is because they have found the one true and "ONLY" way to reach Heaven, and they excoriate anyone who suggest otherwise.
I am firmly committed to religious freedom and pluralism, including the freedom to reject all religions, which describes my own stance. I honor our traditions, and feel no threat of Manger scenes or Christmas Gayla.. Nor does the Jewish Candles and such cause me trauma.. "In God we trust" God Bless America, Under God, over God, these do not have to be erased, as would have some organizations want them..
This is all Mythology to me.. The very first Offspring in the Genesis account shed the very first blood into the soil.. No thanks! I will choose what I feel best suits me.
Keep whatever religious affirmations make you feel good and exercise your right to express your faith as you choose, all the while allowing others the same privilege. But be aware that the biggest danger our world faces is the conflict between competing faiths, especially by the adherents who are certain they have a direct word from "on high" and are determined to wipe out all the infidels. As they said in Vietnam; Praise the Lord & pass the @*#+! ammunition.. following excerpts, part 1&2 from Daily Astorian by John S. Compere
Consider this statement of fact: The best predictor of what religion a person will adopt is geography. If you were born in Massachusetts, there is a strong likelihood you are a Roman Catholic. If you were born in Georgia, probably Southern Baptist. If in Saudi Arabia, Muslim, and if in India, Hindu. There are exceptions, but the odds that your roots determined your religious identification are overwhelming. A savvy gambler would die for such odds.
But in spite of overwhelming evidence of the accuracy of this observation, religious fundamentalists become irate in their denial that geography had anything to do with their religious stance. They are certain their faith choice is because they have found the one true and "ONLY" way to reach Heaven, and they excoriate anyone who suggest otherwise.
I am firmly committed to religious freedom and pluralism, including the freedom to reject all religions, which describes my own stance. I honor our traditions, and feel no threat of Manger scenes or Christmas Gayla.. Nor does the Jewish Candles and such cause me trauma.. "In God we trust" God Bless America, Under God, over God, these do not have to be erased, as would have some organizations want them..
This is all Mythology to me.. The very first Offspring in the Genesis account shed the very first blood into the soil.. No thanks! I will choose what I feel best suits me.
Keep whatever religious affirmations make you feel good and exercise your right to express your faith as you choose, all the while allowing others the same privilege. But be aware that the biggest danger our world faces is the conflict between competing faiths, especially by the adherents who are certain they have a direct word from "on high" and are determined to wipe out all the infidels. As they said in Vietnam; Praise the Lord & pass the @*#+! ammunition.. following excerpts, part 1&2 from Daily Astorian by John S. Compere
