In the Name of God

What is religion? According to Encarta Dictionary: 1. People’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life; 2. An institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine; and 3. A set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by. That is pretty much what I already knew and understood.

Next, what is the objective of religion in the world today? That’s a little more difficult to pin down even in generalities. From what I’ve read and witnessed, it appears the world’s religions today have their members focus on the spiritual side of individuals and how they exist and cope—remain sane—every day of every week of every year they are alive. Some of these religions have a god or gods they credit with their source of life and means of survival. And they show their appreciation for their existence through a form of worship of the god/gods.

Through the recorded history of religion around the world, people have done many things in the “name of religion.” Peace, kindness, help and support for those less fortunate than themselves are common among most of the religions. I’d really like to say “all religions” here but I can’t. That is because there has been much pain thrust on people in the name of some religions, even my own.

Joshua (a Jew) in the Old Testament led the Israelites in circling the city of Jericho blowing horns and causing the wall to collapse so its inhabitants could be killed and the Israelites would have a new town to call their own.

The Christians in the eleventh to thirteenth centuries used crusades to satisfy their need to eradicate the infidels of Islam. Then they followed that with the beginnings of the reformation and persecution of people that didn’t agree with their interpretation of their scriptures.

However, Judaism and Christianity’s God and Son of God do not promote the killing of anyone—in fact they do just the opposite encouraging acceptance of others’ diversity of faith. In the Christian New Testament the Son of God tells his followers to “forgive seven times seventy” those who do you wrong and to “turn your cheek” when someone strikes you instead of hitting back. ("But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you"…Luke 6:27-31)

Hinduism and Buddhism profess inner peace is gained through living a life of serving your fellow man and creatures, not through destruction of others.

That brings me to Islam. I have been told by many people that the Quran does not instruct its followers to go out and kill non-believers. This doesn’t shake out for me with what is happening in the Middle East these days the touting by Islam's holy men for there members to kill all who aren't Muslim belivers.

Leader after leader keeps telling us the Palestinians (Muslims) won’t allow Jews to live in Israel; they have to kill them to rid the area of the non-believers. Heck, the Islamist kill one another because of who they profess to be the rightful replacement for Mohammed! Killing is their answer for anyone who disagrees with them.

Killing is barbaric and savage. People who profess to kill in the name of a god are themselves barbaric and savage. Any holy person (?) that says “Whoever changes his religion…kill him” does not respect a person’s right to life.

Why do Muslims believe it is okay to aggressively murder Jews (bombing of Israel), but, if the Israelis protect themselves from the murderers, that’s wrong and unacceptable? “Stand there and let me kill you because I’m righteous and you’re not worthy to live.” And that’s what their god says is the right thing to do?

I am embarrassed, humiliated and mortified by the slaughter of human life by Christians over the centuries. And, personally, I can’t respect any religion that glorifies the killing of anyone.