Sunday, March 25, 2007

POPE UPSET - WHAT ABOUT GOD?


The Pope is unhappy. He wants the secular EU Constitution, currently celebrating 50 years of existence, to mention God, to acknowledge the role of Judeo-Christianity in the formation of Europe.

The Pope probably imagines that God looks a bit like the representation in the picture. Of course, millions of people all over the world share his view. Then millions of people of other faiths: Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc, fervently imagine entirely different theological concepts. Imagination is a powerful force it seems!

On the other hand, famous philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote: 'Religion is based...mainly upon fear...fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand.... My own view on religion is that of Lucretius. I regard it as a disease born of fear and as a source of untold misery to the human race.' Millions of people all over the world share this view.

One important person (Russell) sees religion as a misery-creating disease; for another important person (the Pope), it is the entire rationale behind his life and that of his powerful Church.

Who is right? Both can't be. Should the State be separated from all religions? Should religion be banned?

5 comments:

billie said...

yes. there is no place for religion anywhere in government. spirtuality is fine- but religion is going to be the downfall of humankind.

Daniel said...

Is the downfall is more correct, Betmo! Cheers!

billie said...

i stand corrected :) cheers to you! :)

Coffee Messiah said...

Betmos right, and there was supposed to division of Church & State.

I wonder what happened? ; (

Daniel said...

Lots of people are wondering what happened. Each church mercilessly preys upon the gullibility that most humans have.

When religion and politics combine for their mutual benefit, there is always trouble!

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