The following is the first article in a series on violence and contradiction in religion. This article was initially published on James Miller’s other blog, Catholic Labs:
Recently, I added a new friend to Facebook. He was writing some rather poignant ideas on a friend’s Wall about the need to establish peaceful dialog between races and religions, both at home and abroad. I expected to look on his info page and find that he was a devoutly religious man, but what I found was even more interesting. Listed under his “religious beliefs” was the following phrase:
Religion has caused more damage to man kind than any other hobby in the history of mankind.
I was disappointed, but not surprised. Increasingly, many I’ve encountered who are most interested in peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and consistency and integrity in beliefs are disillusioned with the traditional organized religions. The most famous example of this was Mahatma Gandhi, when he said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Who could argue with that? From Crusades, to the KKK, to sex abuse scandals, inquisitions, holocausts, and beyond, the white baptismal gowns of the Western religions are spotted with centuries of dirt and blood.
One Million Voices for Iran