The Dangers of Religion

This is not a post designed to speak out against a specific religion, or even the general concept of religion, but to simply sound a warning. Religion has always been used as a tool of understanding and comfort. To paraphrase the musician Jon Brion, we all need filters to view the world, because the whole truth is too overwhelming, and religion is one of these filters. It can be used as a support system, a system of community. But religion can be used to harm as well, and no matter which religion you subscribe to, most would agree with that. Religion is the biggest psychological weapon in history, and like a virus, it spreads person to person.

The KKK, the largest hate crime organization in American History, was, and still is fueled by the Protestant faith, and it targeted minorities such as African Americans, Jews, Foreigners, and other Christian denominations. The exact number of lives lost due to their ignorance and hatred ranges in the thousands. And all of this was morally correct in their minds because their God told them this was the right thing to do.

Uganda is an African Nation largely made up of Christians, 83.9% to be exact (42% Protestant, 41.9% Catholic) and as we speak, they are trying to pass a law that would ban homosexuality, and actually enforce the death penalty on those individuals. Ugandan leaders behind this bill have very close ties to The Family, the most politically well-connected fundamentalist Christian organization in America. The Family, which is comprised of such members as Senator Bill Nelson, Senator Sam Brownback, and Senator Chuck Grassley to name a few, is known for redefining Christianity as a religion of the powerful. It doesn't matter what you do, according to The Family, if you hold a position of power.

The inspiration for this post should be obvious. Earlier this week, Haiti was hit by the biggest earthquake it has experienced in 200 years. Casualties are still unknown, but expected to be in the realm of 100,000 people hurt or killed. The country has been shaken to rubble, and they need help more than ever. And if you can't offer help with money, you can offer help with your words and thoughts. But Mr. Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh decided not to do that. Pat Robertson, the famous American televangelist, stated that Haiti "swore a pact with the devil". “They said, ‘we will serve you if you will get us free from the French.’ True story. And so, the devil said, ‘OK, it’s a deal,’”

“But ever since they have been cursed by one thing after the other,” says Robertson, “That island of Hispaniola is one island. It is cut down the middle on the one side is Haiti the other is the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etc. Haiti is in desperate poverty.” And with that, Robertson blames this natural disaster on the people feeling its wrath. And worse than that, millions of Robertson's followers now subscribe to that same thought: that it was Haiti's fault, and God did this to them. It was God who killed thousands of Haitians, according to Robertson, and they deserved it.

On a more secular note, but equally racist and inflammatory, Rush Limbaugh had to follow with his own comments. Below is an excerpt of a Politico article.

"Speaking on his radio show Wednesday, Limbaugh said the earthquake has played into Obama’s hands, allowing the president to look 'compassionate' and 'humanitarian' while at the same time bolstering his standing in both the 'light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country.' He added: 'We've already donated to Haiti. It’s called the U.S. income tax.'"

Religion is dangerous because it can reach into the deepest parts of genuinely good people and change them. "God's Will" is used freely by opportunists like Robertson, and it means just as much every time it's used. It's a weapon with unlimited ammo, and the only protection from it is a sense of humanity. Haitians are suffering more than Pat Robertson has ever suffered, and they need support from fellow humans. There are so many ways you can give, some of those ways are listed below:

Donate to the Red Cross through iTunes
Partners in Health

This week's planned Human Politics post was postponed for more pressing matters.