Divide

by Author Name Withheld 231

Created on: July 15, 2011

Religion divides us. There are several reasons as to why this is the case, and it should be abundantly clear by the time I'm finished with this article.

First, not everyone is a religious person. The fastest growing demographic in the entire world are agnostics and atheists, or "non-believers". Second, there have been over 3,000 (probably many more) religions since the dawn of mankind, all of which blood were spilled over. Third, there are 21 major religions in the world today with Christianity and Islam taking the top spots and the Rastafarian being 21st. Fourth, just look at the conflicts between religions today: one sect of Islam against another; various sects of Christianity opposed to one another; Islam and Christianity against one another; Islam and Hinduism against one another; Islam and Buddhism against one another. The list goes on and on. Fifth, there are bigoted, vile, and violent commands written into all religious texts.

Atheists, agnostics and even deists (those who believe in a god, but not religion) are not given any recognition in these religious discussions. Being an atheist myself, I find this quite annoying. We're not different, less moral, or less caring than anyone else. We just don't believe in a floating, magical cloud fairy who dictates the entire universe. Being an American atheist, I have had such vitriol from the religious right spewed in my direction, it leaves me sitting there scratching my head. Is there a divide between religious followers and atheists such as myself? You bet there is. I've had people say they won't even speak to me because I'm an atheist. This is just a shame.

The sheer number of religions which have existed (most of which are now extinct and listed as mythology), and which still exist today, make it impossible for there not to be some kind of divide. We don't have to look any further than the homicide bombers in the middle east, the priests molesting children in the west, the clashes between sects of Christianity in Eastern Europe and the United States, and clashes between Christians and Muslims worldwide. These are just to name a few. Religious conflict, conquest and corruption are well-documented throughout human history and are still, unfortunately, alive and well today.

For those of you who have read the Bible and the Koran, you can find a vast number of unforgivable verses and commands. I will list a few from the world's most powerful religions, Christianity and Islam, for you:

First, the Bible -

1.) Kill The Witches!

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed."  (Exodus  22:18-20)"

2.) Rape My Daughter

"Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go." (Judges  19:24-25)

3.) Rip Up Pregnant Women

"Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up." (Hosea 13:16)

4.) Burn The Daughter!

"And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire." (Leviticus 21:9)

Now, the Koran -

(Koran 8:12) Remember Thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the believers, I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips of them." Here Mohammed is giving step by step instruction on how to torture and kill Kafirs if they don't follow Islam.

(Koran 9:73) Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their Home: an evil fate.

(Koran 47:4) When you meet the unbelievers in the Jihad strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until War shall lay down her burdens.

When your holy book has passages such as these, how can you not cause a divide? Obviously a universal belief in an all-powerful god doesn't stop it. People of faith have proved time and time again that they will kill and die by and for their faith.This isn't an insult to religious followers. This is my take on things and I think my point of view. Take it as you will and thank you for taking your time to read.

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