Why Religion Matters To Me
In a blog I wrote months ago, I posted a video entitled, “Why Atheists Care About Religion”. To most atheists and secular humanists, its obvious. But to all the religious folks out there who inquire, “if you don’t like religion, why do you talk about it so much?” Unlike some, I do not prefer the ignorance is bliss theory (though I am very happy). In case you are one of those who ask the preceding question, I will give a short list of how religion has poisoned society:
- Missionaries in Africa (set up by the American Religious Right) enforcing no condom usage on a population with a much higher AIDS/HIV ratio.
- Not wanting to teach children about sex. Not even distinguishing “good touch” from “bad touch”.
- The abstinence program taught in schools does not introduce masturbation or pornography as healthy alternatives. Instead, they want to shelter kids from sexual thoughts altogether.
- The us and them dogma (that still would exist otherwise) is taken to extreme measures. Mean, inclusive, and/or hateful people. And WAR, WAR, WAR!
- Even debating that any part of science should not be taught or alternate versions should also be taught (in science class). I’m fine with alternate versions if they are taught in religion or philosophy class.
- Even debating on what marriage means. Or if homosexual, bisexual, transgendered individuals should have the same rights as all those happily married heterosexual couples (note the sarcasm).
- Men debating (and having a serious say) on what all women should do with their bodies.
- Waiting for marriage before having sex. Finally realizing (maybe too late?) that his/her spouse is lousy in bed…or the wrong size…or not interested in certain acts…
- Feminist and Liberal have been turned into ugly words (at least attempted to).
- Godless is equated with immoral/unethical. Are ya kidding me?
And the list can go on and on, but I’ll end it here. I quickly ran down a few reasons religion matters to me. I wish I could just blink my eyes and not give a damn about religion. I don’t in much of my personal life. But the fact remains: religion still has a huge presence.
I blog because I see this injustice and my need to be a part of the Humanist Movement propels me. Years later as religion starts to fade, I want to say I was a part of it and encouraged others to keep at it, too. No matter how much criticism or hurtful words we face, nothing will bring us down. We are only doing our patriotic duty to continue to separate church and state. Just like our forefathers and foremothers would have wanted.
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You might want to take a look at my latest post. It’s a response to “Why Religion Matters to Me.” Feed back would be much appreciated.
Making Sense of Religion, Part II.
God is nonexistent. If he was, all the religions who banter their respective deities in their hucksterish, vulgar manner would have been wiped out of the face of the Earth for their rampant stupidity and servile teachings.
I definitely wish my school Sex Education classes had spent a little time on masturbation and porno. Fortunately, I managed to figure it out for myself =)
If they’d spent a little time on buttsecks, it would save the First Fifteen (replace with ‘football team’ if you’re American and don’t get the Rugby reference) a lot of sloppy guesswork in the after-match group shower.