“There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Examine history and we will be amazed by enormity of the evil that man has inflicted upon his fellow creatures mostly in the name of gods and creeds. A lot of good people perished being labelled as heretics and witches. Thousands of innocent people have died and continue to do so to please the gods of fanatics and radicals.
The Pope has apologised for his Church's inhuman attitude towards homosexuals. Pope John Paul II had made quite a number of apologies. Most religions will have infinite sins to atone for if they are willing to undertake an honest introspection.
And yet religion is about goodness, compassion, and what not? That's what we have been told at least.
The plain truth is that religion, like most other man-made institutions, is about power. If you have power, what you do is right and good! Rather, it's not about good and evil; it's about who wants to be the boss.
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Examine history and we will be amazed by enormity of the evil that man has inflicted upon his fellow creatures mostly in the name of gods and creeds. A lot of good people perished being labelled as heretics and witches. Thousands of innocent people have died and continue to do so to please the gods of fanatics and radicals.
The Pope has apologised for his Church's inhuman attitude towards homosexuals. Pope John Paul II had made quite a number of apologies. Most religions will have infinite sins to atone for if they are willing to undertake an honest introspection.
And yet religion is about goodness, compassion, and what not? That's what we have been told at least.
The plain truth is that religion, like most other man-made institutions, is about power. If you have power, what you do is right and good! Rather, it's not about good and evil; it's about who wants to be the boss.
Yes. Manay religious organisations are becoming power centric in stead of propagating human values.
ReplyDeleteHaven't they always been power-hungry?
DeleteThis reminds me of Grand Inquisitor in Brother Karamazov who reprimands even Jesus of depriving church of its full power.But that's just fiction and the truth is much more harsh, I guess
ReplyDeleteDostoyevsky was a genuinely spiritual person who was tormented by the problem of evil. Ivan Karamazov's quest is spiritual though he is an atheist. Real spiritual seekers are tormented souls who will not run after power. Yes, truth is much more harsh...
DeleteThe examples of the brutality you speak of are numerous. It's always good to remind ourselves of these evils. Makes us want to change things.
ReplyDeleteNice write up.
The atrocities still go on. The common people are helpless, powerless.
DeleteVery well said.
ReplyDeleteReligion might have been born to unite people under the fear of god. But now it is causing division. Its time to evolve to humanity.
Yes, humanity has to be saved from religion.
Deletewell, rightly said, religion is nothing but just a glorified and fancy name to hide the dirty game of power and politics.
ReplyDeleteVery much like terrorism, religion also every year kills large amount of people, but no-one bothers.
You gave it the right name: "a glorified and fancy name to hide the dirty game of power and politics."
DeleteNow this reminds me of a quote by Gibran, which I mention:
ReplyDeleteYour daily life is your temple and your religion.
If only the religionists understood that, Chaitali!
DeleteThat is the crux of the matter, my friend.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you after quite a while, us ji.
DeleteReligion did not start as a way to grab power but it has become a short cut to it now.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time, in fact.
DeleteYou have rightly threw a light Sir but question in my mind is the religion is wrong or the humans who involved in it are ?
ReplyDeleteThe problem is wit people. Give any system to them and they will pervert it.
DeleteSome people are using religion to remain in power......
ReplyDeleteNatureram
Indeed.
Delete