God the Bogieman

[Naomi]

The Bogieman - that mysterious character who comes in the night to scare - or even to kidnap - naughty children. 'Good' parents are horrified at the practices of those irresponsible enough to use this method of controlling their children. However, many who are appalled by the idea proudly count themselves among the many millions of self-proclaimed pillars of society - the religious - and deem it not only thoroughly acceptable, but absolutely obligatory, to fill young minds with thoughts of an equally mysterious entity who resides somewhere in the sky, and will punish their offspring remorselessly, and for eternity, for their misdemeanours. Strangely, the rest of the world, in the main, raises no objection to what amounts to nothing less than child abuse, because religion doesn't simply expect the respect of society - it demands it - and for reasons that continue to elude me, it receives it. Why?

[E-lad]

The Bogieman - that mysterious character who comes in the night to scare - or even to kidnap - naughty children. 'Good' parents are horrified at the practices of those irresponsible enough to use this method of controlling their children. However, many who are appalled by the idea proudly count themselves among the many millions of self-proclaimed pillars of society - the religious - and deem it not only thoroughly acceptable, but absolutely obligatory, to fill young minds with thoughts of an equally mysterious entity who resides somewhere in the sky, and will punish their offspring remorselessly, and for eternity, for their misdemeanours. Strangely, the rest of the world, in the main, raises no objection to what amounts to nothing less than child abuse, because religion doesn't simply expect the respect of society - it demands it - and for reasons that continue to elude me, it receives it. Why?

Because religion is pervasive. It affects the mind like a virus* through the cultural conditioning of very young children.
religious beliefs do not spread as a result of evidence in their support, but typically by cultural transmission, in most cases from parents or from charismatic individuals.
Religious beliefs do not spread like science or intellectually transmitted ideas, which are required to conform to rational and standard methodology. As you mentioned, if you scare the hell out of a young kid, you've traumaticized her and have created a lifelong fear, which of course is the motivating force behind religious compliance.

Where science and logical intellectual endeavors require "testability, evidential support, precision, quantifiability, consistency, intersubjectivity, repeatability, universality, progressiveness, independence of cultural milieu," faith "spreads despite a total lack of every single one of these virtues".

The evidence that religion being a cultural phenomena can be seen by looking at world distribution map by religion. They are grouped into geological locations- born in Iran; you're a Muslim. The, once the child is filled with fears, they are inducted into the higher emotional support system- the church. It is nearly impossible, and something I consider heroic, for a kid to shed the irrational belief systems because many, many humans do not possess the emotional wherewithal to abandon their emotional support system- family, friends, advisers, and mentors to turn to a more rational point of view. They are trapped like a fucking rat.

It is also well understood that humans love to have explanations for everything and want to somehow be connected to their creation. The various holy books fill that void, especially for the credulous, and undereducated.

*Some of this is adapted from "Viruses of the Mind" by Dawkins- http://cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/Dawkin ... -mind.html

[Naomi]

All that is quite true - but it doesn't explain why we, as a society, continue to afford religion the unwarranted respect it demands. People are entitled to believe as they will, but they are not entitled to impose their potentially damaging philosophy upon others. Fortunately, the more rational among us are beginning to say 'No, we do not respect your beliefs' - and not before time. More power to their elbow!

[E-lad]

All that is quite true - but it doesn't explain why we, as a society, continue to afford religion the unwarranted respect it demands.

78% of Americans still identify strongly with the Christian religion, regardless of if they go to church or not. They are very shy about speaking out against any other Christian sect.

People are entitled to believe as they will, but they are not entitled to impose their potentially damaging philosophy upon others.

1st amendment- free to speak out as they wish. No one is required to capitulate to their irrational belief system.

Fortunately, the more rational among us are beginning to say 'No, we do not respect your beliefs' - and not before time. More power to their elbow!

Totally- even in our little town newspaper, 30 years ago you'd never see a letter to the editor vilifying religion. Now there are letters critical of religious beliefs on a monthly basis. The tide is definitely turning toward logic and reason.

[BaldySlaphead]

Hi Naomi!

I think the rest of the world supports it because frankly most of it is doing the same thing! It's like those interfaith events you see; full of people who basically disagree with each other and think the lot over the table are utterly deluded followers of an obvious fiction, yet know they have to support the right of the others to exist because it covers their own beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance at its finest.

[Naomi]

Hi Naomi!

I think the rest of the world supports it because frankly most of it is doing the same thing! It's like those interfaith events you see; full of people who basically disagree with each other and think the lot over the table are utterly deluded followers of an obvious fiction, yet know they have to support the right of the others to exist because it covers their own beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance at its finest.

Hi Baldy!

Yes indeed. They're all right, everyone else is wrong, but Christians, just like Muslims, and Jews, can't agree with each other. Nevertheless, there's plenty of back-scratching to be had from all quarters when 'faith' is under fire - regardless of the 'brand' being attacked. Those damned atheists! They should know better - and I strongly suspect they do.