I have found that there seems to be a fairly common misconception among the religious masses (and surprisingly, even among those who claim to be atheist or nonreligious) that religion is somehow “owed” some special place of prominence in our society—that it is “owed” respect or “protection from criticism“—that for some reason, it is extra “disrespectful” (a highly egregious and even a “punishable” offense, depending on one’s culture) to speak out against something “holy” like a religion or a “prophet” or a “god.” I assume that the reason for this is that people have fully committed themselves (mentally) to their chosen religion and, therefore, have decided (or far more likely, they were indoctrinated in their youth to believe) that their particular religion’s “god” is holier, mightier, and more righteous than the other religions’ “gods” and they make the mistake of becoming personally offended when someone speaks in an other-than-respectful way about that religion or its so-called “god” or “prophets.”
Well, the truth of the matter is that religions and other “belief systems” do not “deserve” to be respected at all, much less enjoy special protection from criticism. Such a thought is asinine! It’s completely ridiculous! Only individual people “deserve” to be treated with respect—and then, only so long as they are living peacefully, and treating others with respect, and not harming others in some way. Always remember that ideas, concepts, beliefs, and theories do not “deserve” to be respected. One may individually choose to respect these things, but that is an individual choice and such respect is NEVER “owed” by anyone else or by society at large. Likewise, groups of people (regardless of why they are grouped) do not “deserve” to be respected, and religions and other belief-systems do not “deserve” to be respected either. Things like ideas, concepts, theories and belief systems don’t have rights—human, civil, or otherwise. Ideas, concepts, theories and belief systems don’t have feelings. We have been led to believe that “belief systems” are somehow so special and sacrosanct that they are above criticism. Bullshit! It is just as okay to speak out against a religious institution that is actually harming people in some way (and they all do to varying degrees), as it is to speak out against financial institutions, or political parties, or entire industries that are causing harm to people. In fact, one has a moral duty, as well as a right, to do so. And some religions ARE more harmful and dangerous than others, and it IS okay to say so! Yes. It. Is. Of all existing religions, islam (purposefully not capitalized for extra disrespect) is BY FAR the worst in the current era. (What other religions did in past eras has a place of importance in the discussion, but it is irrelevant to what is happening now.) Creepy islam is the 250 pound bully in the schoolyard. It is dangerous, extraordinarily viral, bigoted, hateful, demanding, intolerant, brutal, unforgiving, oppressive, enslaving, and misogynistic—and (Have you noticed?)… unapologetically so. It (as an institution or a belief system) does NOT deserve respect. Neither do any of the others. The fact is that all religions are predatory—some far more than others; but in the current era, islam is the worst, by far. All religions are harmful to societies that desire to be truly free. Harmful things should never be respected.
Again, religions (as belief systems) do NOT “deserve” respect, nor are they ever “owed” it. No—they are not. Religions are dangerous, controlling, predatory, manipulative institutions—at best. Why would they be owed respect?! (Remember that only individual citizens are “owed” respectful treatment—as long as they are living in peace and aren’t harming others or quietly supporting systems or institutions that are harming others in some way.) All organized religion is bad for humanity. It affects your life in negative ways even if you are atheist, because (due to its inherently predatory nature) it actively seeks to enlarge and spread itself, and to gain official legitimacy and legal authority over the general citizenry by intertwining itself with our governments; and by doing so, it is allowed to impose its will and its “standards of morality and conduct” on you, whether you are a member of that religion or not. That is what christianity did in America and don’t be fooled—all of our lives have been negatively affected by it, whether we are christians or not. It is also what islam has done to many parts of the world and is doing even now in America and all over the west; and passive, undeserved “respect” for that brutal, controlling belief system will likely see some form of Sharia law in America at some point. It is foolish, I believe, to think it can never happen here—that we are somehow inoculated against such a disease simply because “we are America.” It is foolish, because we are a naturally tolerant and accepting people, and those who desire the global spread of islam understand that about us. They consider it a weakness, and they will use it against us. They are already bragging about it on the internet. They are a very persistent, patient, and calculating group and they are intentionally deceptive about what their goals are—but if you look around, you can find plenty who say it openly because they know we won’t believe them.
Not to get off on a purely islamic tangent, but here I will remind the reader that it is estimated that by the year 2030 (Only 17 years short from now!), muslims will be the majority in England—due to extremely high immigration and birth rates. Think about what that means—to the people of England, and to the West at large! Do you think that the muslims who immigrate to England will not also invade the seats of government in the same proportions and begin to enact (or rather, impose) new laws? First blasphemy laws (which effectively stifle free speech and eliminate ALL criticism of what they are doing “in the name of allah“)? Then sharia laws? What is there to stop them? They are already bragging about it—all over the internet! Do you not think that they have the same goal for America? They are bragging about that, too. If (or rather, when) England become an islamic nation, one very great Western domino will have fallen—and that is no small thing. Think about it!
Religious influence in government is why women have had to fight so hard to obtain and keep reproductive rights, and voting rights, and other forms of basic equality in society. Religion was the main underlying oppressive force. Religious influence in government is why gays have been shunned, oppressed, and denied equal rights forever. Religion was the main underlying oppressive force in that as well. Religion’s intrusion into our government is why we used to have to pray and listen to the bible being read in school when I was growing up. I’m not certain, but religion is probably where the idea for the “death penalty” comes from. Religion, when allowed to marry itself into our governments in any way, always causes problems for some portion of the population, so it isn’t ever good enough to just “be an atheist” and live quietly, because extremely rich, extremely determined, extremely powerful religious institutions are working hard to embed themselves into all levels of our government and make sure they have legitimized, legal, and controlling authority over your life in as many ways as are meaningful to them, and over the lives of your children as well. This must be fought—not “respected.”
A practice of strict, absolute separation of church and state (which we do not have here in America) robs religion of all real power over us and gives us more freedoms. Then, religion simply becomes a creepy, manipulative “belief system” that still preys on the weak, the desperate, the naive, and the gullible (because that is what they do)—but at least it has no real power over us. They could never impose their will on us through legislation of any kind. They would have to resort solely to seduction, indoctrination, and trickery to maintain their membership and achieve their goals rather than through any form of legal authority over us. In America, we talk a lot about “separation of church and state,” but we don’t really practice it very well at all, in reality. Religion must be purposefully and carefully controlled, and it must be treated with suspicion any time it comes near our governments. It should be actively opposed when it seeks power by approaching our government officials with large “donations,” or when they are harming people in some way (as they all do). We should be necessarily concerned about the state of “separation of church and state” when we see organizations like the Congressional Prayer Caucus being formed, or learn of the existence of organizations such as the Michigan Muslim Democratic Caucus. These are not social groups. They are evidence that organized religion is attempting to infiltrate and influence our government—your government, so it can gain “official” legitimacy for itself, and ultimately… legal, governmental power over our lives—just as islam has done in every society it has migrated into.
All religions are predatory—some far more than others. In the current era, islam is the worst by far. All religions are bad for societies that desire to be truly free. Some religions are worse than others, and it IS okay to say so. Remember, “belief systems” aren’t people, so they don’t ever “deserve” to be treated with respect.
Let me close with this:
To the religious people: You only get ONE life to live. If you want to waste it “worshiping” an invisible, non-existent “god” and “praying” for it to do everything (so you don’t have to) instead of living a totally free, happy life and experiencing it to the fullest; spending as much time as possible with your children, your family, and the love of your life; making a tangible, meaningful contribution to society and trying to make the world a better place; or actually getting PERSONALLY involved with someone in need and helping them (instead of praying for your “god” to do it for you), then that is your individual, personal choice. I feel sorry for you. But remember this:
- Your “god” is not real. That is not my opinion—it is a fact. Your “god” and its accompanying “religion” were invented by men as a way to explain the unknown and to control you and manipulate you into certain behaviors—and just look how well it’s working!
- You are the one who made the individual, personal choice to believe that nonsense and to give “respect” to a hateful, bigoted, inept, duplicitous, nonexistent sky-fairy, and to spend your one-and-only life “worshipping” it. That decision ONLY applies to YOU. No one else is required to “respect” your individual choice, or your beliefs, or your motives, or your religion, or its precepts, or its rituals, or its traditions, or its silly or ridiculous garb, or its prophets, or even its stupid “god“—no matter what you desire, or what your hateful, bigoted, inept, duplicitous, nonexistent sky-fairy or anyone else tells you. That must be why they call it a personal choice. Duh! (Note: There seems to be some fairly common confusion on the subject of “respecting” the choices of other people. In America, we absolutely respect your individual right to make any personal choice you desire for yourself [as long as it doesn’t harm or affect others in any undesirable way], but respecting your right to make a choice is NOT the same as respecting the choice you made. Understand this: No one is required to respect the choices you make—just your right to make them. Those who make wise life choices, are naturally and appropriately looked upon by others as being wise. Those who make stupid life choices are naturally and appropriately looked upon by others as being stupid. Those who make bigoted and hateful life choices (like choosing to affiliate themselves with a known bigoted and hateful religion or other hate group) are naturally and appropriately looked upon by others as being bigoted and hateful. You are not being “unfairly picked on.” That is how it works in real life, and that is how it should work. You are not “owed” respect when you make stupid or bigoted life choices, like devoting your one and only life to a hateful, bigoted, inept, duplicitous, nonexistent sky-fairy—especially one who oppresses you or insists that you oppress or hate others in his name. I hope that is now sufficiently cleared up.)
- People verbally disrespecting your religion, its prophets, or its so-called “gods” is NOT harmful to you in any way. It does not harm you physically, it does not abridge your rights, and it does not inhibit your freedoms in any manner. It may piss you off, because being a member of one of the many available “religion” groups gives you the perception (the illusion) that even you are now holy, or righteous, or “special” in some way and the criticism of your chosen religion challenges that perception in your mind; but it is not directed at you personally and it is not harmful to you. It is part of life. Get a helmet and deal with it. Still, you have options. If don’t like your religion being criticized or ridiculed, you may either endure or ignore the criticisms, or you may choose a less (rightfully) criticized or ridiculed “group” to affiliate yourself with so you can feel better, or you may force a change of that religion from within so that it is no longer ridiculed. That’s pretty much it for options. Remember, it is YOUR religious choice that is causing you problems—not the fact that other people enjoy total freedom of expression. Also remember that as soon as YOU choose to affiliate yourself with a group (whether it be a brutal, oppressive religion or the fucking KKK), YOU must bear all the criticisms that are aimed at that group. That is how it works. You do not have the right to deny others of their right of free expression, so that you don’t have to feel bad or face the difficult truths about the group you chose to join. The answer? Completely disassociate yourself from that group and simply live in peace with those around you.
- You do not have the right to impose your religious beliefs, or your religion’s “standards” of morality or conduct on others—no matter what you desire, or what your hateful, bigoted, inept, duplicitous, nonexistent sky-fairy or anyone else tells you.
- You do not have the right to expect others (or society at large) to change their lives in ANY way in order to accommodate you and your stupid religious choice—no matter what you desire, or what your hateful, bigoted, inept, duplicitous, nonexistent sky-fairy or anyone else tells you.
- The fact that you chose to join a stupid religion does not give you special rights, privileges, or status over others. It does not make you better than anyone else. In fact, quite often religious people are worse citizens than the nonreligious (because all religions are inherently bigoted, intolerant, and divisive, so the members of each religion are taught bigotry, intolerance, and divisiveness—and are expected to be [to varying degrees, depending on the religion] bigoted, intolerant, and divisive toward their fellow citizens who don’t share their particular faith).
- When you “share the good news with nonbelievers,” it is NOT a kind or loving act, as you have been led to believe. It is one of the most highly offensive, personally insulting, and disrespectful things a “religious” person can do to another human being. Maybe that is why so many who do, are met with hostility. Duh!
To the nonreligious people: You have rights and it IS okay to stand up for them. Don’t fear the inevitable threats and name-calling that will come your way from the religious people (who, ironically, claim to be better than you, but who will still threaten you, call you names, and hate you). Your fear is what they count on, and it is why they call you those names. It’s a form of bullying and intimidation. It is intended to either silence opposition to their predatory religion or a weak (and not very “holy”) attempt to defend a life choice they have made, and your words are exposing the stupidity of that choice and/or causing them to doubt their own choice. Remember:
- All religions are not the same, as many argue. They are not equal. Some ARE more harmful to society than others, and it IS okay to say so. Free expression must always be protected and practiced without fear—or we will lose it in our acquiescence.
- On behalf of those who ARE being harmed by religion, it absolutely IS okay to openly and publicly criticize, insult, and oppose any belief system which advocates or practices the oppression of whole demographic groups; bigotry; societal division; child marriage; deception; fleecing its members; exploitation of the desperate, the weak, and the naive; violence, intimidation, and brutality; the active, viral spreading of itself to other cultures; world domination; or harming others in any other manner—even a stupid fucking religion. More than that, it IS your civic duty to do so! Belief systems (including religions) are not, and should never be, exempt from public scorn and criticism.
- If a member of a particular religion becomes personally “offended” by a criticism you make about their religion or its “god,” then that is their problem. Who cares?! They are confused, because to insult a belief system is NOT the same as personally aiming your insult at an individual—even if they choose to personalize it and take it that way (or feign “offense” in an attempt to silence your criticisms). Besides, if the belief system is harmful to others in some way, and they all are to one degree or another, then it “deserves” to be publicly insulted or criticized. If the members of that religion don’t like the criticism, then they may either opt out of the religion to spare themselves the “illusion” that they are being personally insulted, or they may fight to change their religion from within so it is no longer harmful to others in any way. Your silence is not “respectful“—it is consent. Your silence makes you complicit with whatever evils religion is imposing on society.
- Freedom of expression is a human right. In some societies it is even guaranteed and protected. Use it without shame or fear, or you will be walked on by others who are not afraid to mis-use or abuse it (to advance their religious agendas and/or to silence opposition). No matter what you may have been taught, it is NOT contrary to civility to fight vocally for one’s rights, or to fight vocally for the rights of those who are being oppressed, brutalized, or taken advantage of. Criticizing, insulting, and opposing a belief system which oppresses entire demographic groups, or one that is brutal, controlling, and destructive to the concept of individual freedoms is NOT wrong—even if those who subscribe to that belief system begin to cry and moan that they are the “victims” of your “hate speech“—and they always do, because they want to shut you up and keep from revealing the ugly truth.
- It is not “racist” to speak out openly and truthfully against islam or any other religion. islam is a stupid religion—not a race. People of all races practice islam. Therefore it can never be truthfully argued that a verbal attack on islam or any other religion is “racist.” Arab is a race, and there are many brave Arabs who are committed atheists who hate islam.
- You are not ever required to “respect” someone else’s personal religious choices.
- You are not ever required to change your life in order to accommodate someone else’s silly-ass religious choice.
- Religion is oppressive, controlling, divisive, and inherently bigoted and intolerant; therefore, it is dangerous to human society. It does not “deserve” respect—no matter what form it takes.
- Just because one religion seems tame compared to another, does not mean that it isn’t harming innocent people, and that it isn’t dangerous and bad for society in some way.
That is all I have to say on this for now. Live in peace and harmony with one another, but remember that all religion is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is inherently predatory. It should kept away from our government by any nonviolent means and at all costs! It always bears watching—especially islam, and none are “owed” respect—ever. Nope, not even yours. Always remember:
Peace…
“I am here to challenge your comfortable and familiar perceptions and paradigms—to help awaken you—to make you think.” — AAJG
Gandalf Stormcrow 