By Ryan Fortune
If you believe the news headlines, you might think that the greatest threats to human survival on earth are climate change or nuclear war. The true menace, in my view, lies elsewhere: monotheistic religion.
This pervasive belief in a "One True God" who monitors our behaviour to determine our eternal fate is the real danger. This mass indoctrination is perpetuated daily through countless media channels and reinforced weekly in places of worship, turning billions into unquestioning followers of ancient texts deemed divine.
Consider the contradictions and moral failings within these religious texts. Take the story of Noah's Ark, often celebrated as a tale of divine salvation. It portrays a deity who deemed it just to drown every living creature, sparing only one family and a selection of animals. This is not a tale of mercy but one of extreme and unjust punishment. What kind of benevolent being would resort to such catastrophic measures?
Similarly, the story of Abraham and Isaac, where Abraham is commanded to sacrifice his son, reveals a god that tests loyalty through unimaginable cruelty. These stories, often sanitised for younger audiences, convey deeply troubling messages at their core.
The concept of Hell is another profoundly manipulative tool. The fear of eternal damnation has been used for centuries to control behaviour and suppress dissent. It's a psychological weapon that preys on our deepest fears, ensuring conformity and obedience. The very idea that a loving god would create a place of eternal torment is inherently contradictory. It’s a scare tactic, plain and simple, designed to keep believers in line.
Monotheistic religion has been historically employed to justify some of humanity's darkest chapters. The Inquisition saw the brutal persecution and execution of countless individuals accused of heresy, their suffering deemed necessary to save their souls. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade was rationalised by a twisted interpretation of biblical texts, dehumanising entire races under the guise of divine sanction. Colonialism spread across the globe, often with missionaries leading the charge, erasing cultures and belief systems deemed pagan or inferior. The wholesale destruction of indigenous traditions, languages, and histories was seen as a righteous endeavour to spread the "true" faith.
In modern times, the impact of these teachings manifests in various harmful practices and beliefs. Consider the resistance to scientific advancements. Despite overwhelming evidence, the theory of evolution is still rejected by a significant portion of the religious community. This denial of scientific fact in favour of ancient scripture impedes educational progress and fosters ignorance. Similarly, opposition to vaccination on religious grounds endangers public health. When faith trumps reason, society suffers.
Religious intolerance continues to fuel conflicts around the globe. In the Middle East, centuries-old divisions between different sects of the same religion result in ongoing violence and instability. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply rooted in religious identity and historical claims to land. In India, Hindu nationalism has led to increasing violence against Muslims and other minority groups. These conflicts are not merely political; they are driven by deeply ingrained religious ideologies that divide rather than unite.
Even in ostensibly secular societies, religion wields significant influence. In the United States, the separation of church and state is a constitutional principle, yet religious groups exert considerable sway over political decisions. Issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and even climate change are heavily influenced by religious lobbying. This influence often undermines rational policy-making and leads to legislation that discriminates against those who do not share the same beliefs.
The indoctrination of children is a particularly insidious aspect of religious practice. From a young age, children are taught to accept religious dogma without question. They are told that faith is virtuous, doubt is sinful, and questioning is dangerous. This stifles critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, essential traits for personal and societal development. Instead of encouraging young minds to explore, question, and learn, religion often imposes a rigid framework that limits their understanding of the world.
Yet, it would be disingenuous to ignore the positive aspects of religion. For many, faith provides a sense of comfort and community, a refuge in the face of the hyper-individualism fostered by capitalism. Religious communities often engage in charitable works, providing aid to the sick, poor, and underprivileged. These acts of kindness and solidarity are commendable and demonstrate the potential for religion to inspire good. However, these positives do not outweigh the more destructive impacts of religious belief.
To progress as a species, we must break free from these ancient chains and embrace reason, compassion, and true freedom. Imagine a world where we teach our children to question, to seek evidence, and to value all life equally without the crutch of divine justification.
This is the future we must strive for — one where our decisions are guided by reason and empathy, not ancient myths.
It is time to reject the fairy tales of old and embrace a future built on rationality and compassion. Only then can we hope to build a truly just and progressive society, capable of addressing the real challenges that threaten our survival — climate change, nuclear proliferation, and global inequality. These are the issues that demand our attention and ingenuity, unclouded by outdated religious dogma.
Saturday Star