[Gudronich]

One has to realize that religion is a philosophy based on what many hopes to be a devine architect.

Regardless of whether or not this master planner exists, many religions offer a way to live harmoniously with others around you. Whether by fear or by love, they have all been workings of a societies base psycological makeup that in turn helps many deal with the unknowns in their lives in ways that makes life easier to handle.

Flood? It's Gods Way.
Fire? Yep, God again.
Death? God had a reason.....etc etc

But the key to many of the religions out there that have lead the most peaceful existance has been tolerance. The more tolerant and accepting one has been, the more open to discussion, the happier people have been living under its philosophy.

The more hatefull, xenephobic, retributive and punishing the religion, the more apt those following it would follow suit and live a more hateful, xenephobic, punitive and combative life.




The thing that really irks me right now is that the Catholic Church has become just what its "founder" would have dreadded. An Organization. An Institution. "The Man".

Jesus was a (holy) peace loving hippie that fed the poor, healed the sick and, lets not forget these two, overturned the tables in the market and forgave the sins of the people around him. He was not one to heap on pennances and punishments. He was not one to condemn, but yet that seems to be the "way" with an organized religion with so much heirarchy that they actually have an almost regal system of rule.


Oh, and dressing up your chief guy all in gold Mieter hats and the like is a real hoot too. I think people like Mother Terresa had it right, and so much can be learned by following HER example rather than what the leaders of that same religion profess to be The Way.