The Dark Side of Religion

From time to time, I post on the dark side of religion. I am certainly aware that some of my religious friends may not like it. But I have to be honest. I don’t disparage religion for fun. But I criticize it with a heavy heart, knowing and seeing the negative effects religion has on our society. And when I speak of religion, I mean all kinds of religion — Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Religious Taoism, etc.

Especially in the last few months, after reading Genesis in detail, I am ever more convinced that OBEDIENCE is the primary virtue for people in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Why do religious people make sacrifices to God? It is to appease Him and to avoid invoking His wrath. This is clearly illustrated in various stories in Genesis. After the mythical flood, for example, Noah immediately made sacrifices to God. He had seen the terror. There is even a saying from the Old Testament: “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”(Proverbs 9: 10)

Such teaching would make sense only if God is identified with nature (which is impartial), but not if God is understood as a person who takes sides and plays favorites, as portrayed in Genesis. Yes, we should RESPECT the forces of nature — there are natural disasters, floods, droughts, diseases, etc. I would prefer the use of the word “respect” over “fear.” Obeying and respecting the laws of nature makes…