Religion Quiz

Here's a one-question quiz:

1. I choose the religion and church to which I belong because:
   a)   It's the only true faith; all others are either naïve mythologies, dangerous heresies, or both.
   b)   It's the church my parents attended.  I'm comfortable with the beliefs, ceremonies, and culture.   

Seriously, can't we all just be comfortable with our beliefs, and consider the possibility that our being right doesn't necessitate that anybody else be wrong?  What's so hard about that? 

Self-Pity

Each of us—as well as most religions, races, ethnic groups, and nations—have been wronged at some point in their existence; sometimes horribly.

It is wasteful and dangerous though to dwell on these past injustices, and center one's identity on them. Through the lens of idividual or collective self-pity, even the most heinous acts can be justified as righteous revenge, retribution, or defense against crimes long passed.

Terrorism and Society

The most destructive result of terrorism is often not the property damage, or even the precious, irreplaceable lives lost; but rather the unleashing of latent destructive forces within society in response to the crime.  Xenophobia, intolerance, militarism, and the destruction of liberal institutions often follow such acts, and do more societal damage than bombs ever could. 

Look around today’s society—the undercurrent of hatred against immigrants, Moslems, gays and lesbians, or anybody who speaks out against this prejudice—and it’s easy to see that the worst long-term damage was not done by Osama bin Laden, but is self-inflicted.