by Jacob Walker

Created on: May 13, 2010

Religion is the root of the majority of disparity in the world. Human beings inherently are social creatures; we like to be with people our own kind. Religion is simply not only a way of life. Organized religion breads hate and the illusion of reward for following. Richard Dawkins, an outspoken atheist, wrote and presented a documentary called ‘The Root of All Evil?’ referring to religion and the belief in God as a source of mass delusion. Although the title was not his choice, as he states that the notion of anything being the root of all evil is ridiculous. However, for the sake of this argument, we will use the phrase as it relates to the root of evil in human nature.

Followers of religion, in any form, are obeying doctrine written long ago by a small select group of individuals determined in their own ways. As there is no such thing has a free lunch, we can safely say that such individuals were acting purely in their own self-interests and not for the betterment of man-kind. If it were the latter, organized religion should not only consisted of a brief protest and quietly faded. It is the fact that such doctrine was able to influence a wide audience is proof of its intent. When all you live for is survival, there is only one person you care about. As human beings evolved, our desire to help others evolved as well. Religion, although masks behind the usual non-profit tax benefits, continues to operate on a very singular belief of living a morale lifestyle for oneself to gain an afterlife of tranquility. Nowhere in religious doctrine does it state that your good deeds transfer to the bad deeds of your loved ones. So, it is up to you to inspire those you care about to save their own ‘afterlife’.

When we look at the effect of other religions, such as those in Middle Eastern countries, we see this selfish behavior much more apparent. For example, suicide bombers destroying countless lives in exchange for the promise of an afterlife in paradise. Granted, some of the bombers are compensated or their families compensated. In any case, we can truly see where the inspiration lies. Another example of religion brewing evil and selfishness comes from the usual ‘overnight’ churches. These churches generally are created in urban areas in America. The preacher drives a car worth 10-times the average parishioner, their house is bigger than the church itself, and their clothes are custom. People who follow the beliefs outlined by organized religion are only looking out for themselves. This leads to inequality, greed, lust, and pain. There is no evil greater than the suffering of children, at the hands of those entrusted with their innocence. For that, religion will always be the root of all evil in this world and the next.

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