The fears of feeble faith

Personal freedom, and independent thought are under attack. It is under attack by an increasingly fundamentalist Islamic population which is one of the fastest growing. It is under attack by an increasingly fundamentalist Christian population in the southern U.S. It is under attack in Europe as intolerance feeds more intolerance by the opposition. (Think cartoons and plays involving Mohammad & Islam; think "banning" head dresses and veils). This all stems from the ludicrous idea that one publisher of faith, apparently uses a better type face or something. One prophecy is real, one isn't. One interpretation is real one isn't. All of this is apparently much more important than peaceful coexistence... and those basic principals... don't kill, don't steal, treat other people as you would want to be treated, that all comes second to what you call the spirit you pray to, or what you take solace in. Everyone else is a threat or a devil.

"You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the
LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name."
This commandment prohibits not just swearing but the misappropriation of religious language in order to commit a crime, participating in occult practices, and blaspheming against places or people that are holy to God

Now perhaps, just perhaps I'm totally off base, but win you imply that your faith denotes others of a different faith as inferior, aren't you making an assumption on how God or Allah thinks? When you "bless" your armies to fight in wars, aren't you taking the lord's name in vain? When you wage a conflict for a faith... for an ideology, shouldn't this, I mean doesn't this break the rule? Other than self defense how can you justify it? And even then, wouldn't claiming "God" wills your victory once again be breaking this rule? Aren't people REALLY just using their "faith" as a means to quench their thirsts for power? Again.....?

To a lesser degree, but none the less, a symptom of religious insecurity see below:

The following is an excerpt from the link below:
http://www.studyphysics.ca/newnotes/20/unit01_kinematicsdynamics/chp05_forces/lesson13.htm

Galileo & the Catholic Church

• In 1609, based on information from Holland, he built a telescope.
  
• What he saw made the Catholic Church… “grumpy.”
  
• He found “mountains” on the moon.“But God put it there, it should be perfect,” said the Church.
  
• Discovered four of Jupiter’s moons.“But everything is supposed to orbit us on Earth, because God put us at the centre,” said the Church.
  
• He looked at the sun (not a good idea) and saw “sun spots,” areas where the sun appears blotchy.“But God created the sun, so it’s perfect,” said the Church.
  
• He supported the Copernican theory that the Sun is at the centre, not the Earth.“Alright, enough’s enough, Galileo! You’re in trouble!” said the Church.
  

In 1633 the Inquisition (sort of like a Catholic Church courtroom trial) forced him to renounce (abjure) his theories

• As punishment he was placed under house arrest for the rest of his life.
  It is claimed (but often disputed) that as Galileo stood up from his recanting, he uttered "Eppur si muove" which is Latin for "And yet it moves".
  This is a reference to his belief that the Earth was not the centre of the universe.
• In 1979 Pope John Paul II called for Galileo’s conviction to be annulled. (what a swell guy that John Paul was! A little late, but I suppose its the thought that counts.)
• Finally in 1992, after looking at the legal issues involved, Galileo’s conviction was reversed.

This post is not intended to single out Catholicism as being intolerant of new ways of thinking (science basically). Rather I selected it with the intent of looking at an example among many when the fears of those weak in their own convictions let rational thought shake the ground they stand on. Rather than embracing "science" as the beauty that a higher power created, religious organizations tend to give into fear and promote hatred towards those who embrace science. Science is immoral, or it it heresy. It is easier for them to claim that texts (written by man) were directly inspired by God (going back to that commandment again) than to see them for the stories of moral guidance that they are, most of them still relevant in a world that is far removed from the time in which they were created.

Perhaps in 400 years they'll be willing to forgive today's scientific advances, maybe Darwin? In a free society it is difficult to pull the wool over every one's eyes because eventually evidence catches up with you.

Returning to my initial topic, the most fundamentalist believers (or those who claim to be) don't believe in personal freedom. (Oddly both Islam, and Christianity use freedom and free will as general principles in their doctrines). I suppose it is difficult to keep a flock of sheep in line without some baring of teeth and some barking.

I fear the new rise of fundamentalism (across the globe) could turn much of the progress humankind has made backwards. Perhaps the second dark ages are upon us..... a time of true faith and devotion, or a time of intolerance and fascism? I guess it will all depend who's side you are on. My Western Civilization Professor at Saint Joseph's College, who was a tough as nails nun, seemed to think the middle ages were a time of great enlightenment and progress. I had a tough time stomaching it.... or ignoring what history books said, and I got a C. (darn convictions)