Dennis B Murphy >>>>>>>>>>

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April 2006

4-5- 2006: Many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense. Beliefs might lack all supporting evidence but, we thought, if people needed a crutch for consolation, where's the harm? September 11th changed all that. Revealed faith is not harmless nonsense, it can be lethally dangerous nonsense. Dangerous because it gives people unshakeable confidence in their own righteousness. Dangerous because it gives them false courage to kill themselves, which automatically removes normal barriers to killing others. Dangerous because it teaches enmity to others labelled only by a difference of inherited tradition. And dangerous because we have all bought into a weird respect, which uniquely protects religion from normal criticism. Let's now stop being so damned respectful! - Richard Dawkins 2001

How appropriate. Believers (especially in the USA) would have you believe that only those other people's religions are extreme or capable of it. Whenever you give them an example of extremism here (Eric Rudolph) they are quick to a) note that he is an "exception" and b) did have some moral right in his action (Rudolph killed doctors that performed abortions). Talk about wanting cake and eating it too! Remember that our western christianity (the predominant belief system here) is only perhaps 300-400 years removed from the extremism being an everyday activity. Christianity is 2000 years old, Islam only 1400 years old... perhaps they will outgrow it too? I doubt it- extremism is built into the very fabric of religious belief (refer to Dawkins quote above). Religion is just another mechanism for setting tribal boundaries (us versus them) and regardless of the few good things that may be found in it- as my friend Len is fond of pointing out regarding some other philosophies- religion is a package deal- you take on the extreme with the moderate, even if you don't practice the extreme elements. By accepting religion, you automatically make those not of your faith apostates and lesser beings.

4-5- 2006: Total lack of perspective! Now the right wing (republicans) jump on the issue of an altercation between a black congresswoman (McKinney of Georgia) and tout their "respect" for law&order. The right has a total inability to understand perspective or to be able to put things to scale. Clinton broke the law (lying to the grand jury- perjury) but it was hardly a constitutional issue that necessitated impeachment. McKinney allegedly slapped a police officer- a crime. But what about the REAL crimes being committed- crimes that attack the very foundation of our republic and constitution: lying to start a war, spying illegally, holding citizens without due process. If anyone deserves prosecution it is the cabal in the administration saddling the nation with another decades long conflict (as Iraq will likely be), implementing permanent bases there as part of their force repositioning (to protect Isreal and oil)- all the while denying permanent bases are to be built. This power hungry oligarchy can only be checked by the Congress (with decisions sent to the Supreme Court) but too many congressional members are just, sadly, lacking in the guts to challenge the administration. Demogoguery reigns!

4-1- 2006: New bike... Gotta get some riding in!