Recently at my college there was a huge conflict on religion, thankfully the college responded favorably by getting together an educated group of people with one representative from the following religions: Christianity, Islam, a Rabbi, and an Atheist. I have to admit that during the presentation I was sitting on pins and needles, being a devoted Christian myself I did not want to hear anything negative said about my religion, so it was hard for me to keep an open mind while listening to the presentation of the other 3 representatives. Also the tension in the room was obvious, each seat was filled and people were standing out the doors to listen, but there was a negative energy in the air, and I was waiting for something scary to happen. The presentation went well, and I believe that many of the students left the room feeling more educated and connected with each other. The one thing I don't understand though is why do some people or groups go out of their way to hurt another group of people? The reason for this I believe is that people are not taught to tolerate differences and from the beginning of this country as well as many other great nations there arise discrimination and biases against groups of people, just look at the history of many nations there have been people that were discriminated and ostrasized for their beliefs, skin color, origin, sex, and the list is never ending. I believe that if more people were actually educated on the topics that they choose to be ignorant about the world would be much more peaceful, and people would not be so hasty in standing up and talking badly about a religious group or any other group for that matter.
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My college has recently created an Interfaith group, that has representatives from all religions on campus that would like to participate in it. Throughout the year, they have hosted a number of opportunities for students to exchange views about religion and for students of different religions to interact in a friendly setting. In a few weeks, they will be hosting a faith week, on which each religion is given a day, where they host a number of educational activities appealing to those within their religion and those outside of it. Going into college, I did not have much knowledge about other religions, but I have found through my personal experience that campus initiatives to dispel the misconceptions of other religions and to acknowledge their similarities more so than their differences have worked amazingly.
It's great that your college was able to host this event and have nothing go wrong, even with all the "negative energy". As a Christian, I feel discriminated against sometimes just through stereotypes, labels, and generalizations. I can't imagine what it might be like to be a "minority" believer, such as Muslim, Jewish, or Buddhist.
What makes religion such a difficult subject is that it is something engrained within the minds of the individual.
Religion enthrals the general perception of reality for believers and any evidence or argument contrary to his or her beliefs is thereby a direct attack on what they perceive as reality.
Its as if I came up to you and told you that a yellow flower was really red in colour. By stating something that to you that obviously contradicts your perceptions, I would create conflict.
Perhaps the greatest example of this situation is found in the move "The Matrix" which I consider to have direct allegorical ties to religion in society.
Very correct, this process is a basic part of any worship religious structure. Also the reason why they need to catch them when they are young.
When we enter this world, our brain is like an empty “hard drive”, once they have installed the software (dogma) inside ones brain, they are secure to catch up with the next generation (offspring). That powerful a fear they can project upon one in order to limit his/her perception.
Only few can cut loose from this abuse, this mostly comes along with painful emotional circumstances which involve, intolerance, hate and rejection projected upon them by loved ones who regard the individual as a traitor and enemy which will take a plunge in Hell!
Same techniques were applied on the Hitler-jugend, to take away ones individual sense of “I” is still today a commonly accepted practice which goes on and on while it sustains minorities to suffer from the effects religious structures create.
For a dominant religion to survive it needs to create and point out “difference” for all their followers to focus upon, these differences make such that certain organizations form themselves behind, around and inside that fortress of worship, to be a worshipper is no more different than a soldier who is molded into obedience of the greater “him”.
Organizations which are still around and kicking because they can hide within those structures of worship, stir up hate and discrimination in order to fill the hearts of many with fear!
Mr. Right in the sky is a white old men with a long beard, this ideology makes and supports groups like the KKK and Neo- Nazis to remain a vivid disturbing reality which finds its roots in Christianity.
Same aspects can be found in other dominant religions of which the structure is exactly the same.
To try and wake up these individuals is useless, the more they get in touch with the real, the more they will lose reason.
I’m only referring to the fanatics of course.
It is said,
http://www.progressiveu.org/235627-christianity-inhibitor-human-developm...
Religion is not as bad as you think. You can find common ground. I review books and include other religions as well.
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Teacher Education Student.