I’m sure this entry will result in a few nasty e-mails and comments, but hey — I call them like I see them.
Religion has got to be the stupidest invention of all time.
I could give hundreds — if not thousands — of reasons for my distaste for religion (as distinct as separate from faith or spirituality), but let me just give you one.
MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — At least 244 people were trampled to death and hundreds more hurt Sunday under the crush of worshippers in one of the deadliest disasters during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The stampede occurred during the stoning of the devil, an emotional and notoriously perilous hajj ritual. Pilgrims frantically throw rocks, shout insults or hurl their shoes at three stone pillars – acts that are supposed to demonstrate their deep disdain for Satan.
Safety measures were in place at the site – one where fatal stampedes have been frequent – but “caution isn’t stronger than fate,” said Saudi Hajj Minister Iyad Madani. “All precautions were taken to prevent such an incident, but this is God’s will.”
Emphasis mine.
The religious — and in particular these days, fundamentalist Muslims and Christians — seem to be so divorced from reality. They give up all common sense or ability to think for themselves. God is responsible for everything. They find ways to justify everything, from war to murder, in the name of God. And woe befall anyone who doesn’t agree with their assessment of divine will.
To attribute such a horrifying loss of life to God when deaths have occurred each and every year during this event is simply passing the buck. And you can be certain that they won’t interpret the deaths as indicating that God is unhappy that they were throwing stones at a pillar marked “USA” while declaring the United States to be the great Satan.
