I mentioned already being angry and depressed lately about all the evil that is done in the world in the name of religion. So many claim to have the one true religion, which, if they're right, means millions of others are wrong. Specific evils of specific religions include women told they must submit to their husbands, no matter how abusive or merely capricious they might be. Gay, lesbian, and transgendered teens taking their own lives because they are told straight out, or it it implied to them,, that God does not find them acceptable. Muslim extremists who destroy and destroy and destroy. Wars between people of different faiths. Children sexually and otherwise abused by clerics, and religious hierarchies that protect the abusers rather than the abused. Science ignored or ridiculed. And, in the past (I think), religion used to justify slavery and racism.
But today I was sharply reminded of some religious figures who are the best of humanity, people of courage and conviction, compassion and humor, who on their own justify the existence of humanity, and of hope. If people like this can exist, there IS hope for our species.
This came about because of seeing Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, truly one of history's outstanding people, as you can judge from the videos below, of his appearance on Craig Ferguson. Besides him there are Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama, Mohandas Gandhi, and countless others who are not as famous, but who spread light instead of hate. love instead of abuse, compassion rather than intolerance.
Enjoy these videos of Bishop Tutu:
1 comment:
It's certainly true that organised religion is used to justify and pursue the most horrendous policies and practices, despite there being many notable adherents who stand for truth and freedom and tolerance. All we can do is support those individuals, wherever they appear, in their fight against the evils within their own and other religions
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