A Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, a Hindu, a Pagen, and an Atheist walk into a coffee shop...
I recently saw the meme above on Facebook and thought "Ah, yes. To coexist, discuss life, all the things we have in common, our struggles, and all the good things we can do together. How awesome would that be?" I think John Lennon would approve and love this concept. Who wouldn't? It happens every day around the world; people of different faiths (and none at all) engaging one another in respectful ways toward common goals.
What else happens every day around the world? Not this. There are many ways the peace can be broken, but the deepest division happens along the lines that are most meaningful to us. Politics, for example: What values and resources are we going to share for the common good of the communities we live in? And then, of course, religion. Rather than focusing on the good things we can agree on and do together, someone decides to make their personal religious beliefs a mandate for others to accept or else there will be consequences. They could be temporal, political, or economic consequences, or "eternal" consequences. We've just found the asshole in the group. "Accept my religious view, or else."
But who's the biggest asshole of them all? There are at least two greater degrees of assholocity. In my opinion, the one who asserts the doctrine of hell on those who don't believe, as he / she does hits the next rung. Eternity is a really long time to suffer for not accepting as literal truth someone else's religious views. It's bad enough to threaten adults with eternal torment since adults can reach into their bag of reason and decide whether they accept that argument or not, then part ways with the evangelist. But the person who indoctrinates children with this sort of fear who've not yet developed the abilities to reject such nonsense, reaches a whole new level. The child has no escape and these notions can become part of their foundation in life. The believer thinks they're doing the child a favor by planting these seeds. If there were evidence that children raised in this fashion were better off than the rest of the population, perhaps believers would have a point. They'd probably assert that "They'll thank me in Heaven." Another baseless claim. Evidence (prison populations, education level, psychological damage and need for counseling later in life, etc.) suggests otherwise.
No, your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behavior does. A good corollary: "Your beliefs don't make you an asshole, your behavior does." And indoctrinating others with your religious beliefs under the threat of eternal damnation makes you an asshole. Doing it to children makes you an even bigger asshole. Hopefully, they'll be able to forgive you one day when (if) they've recovered from this nonsense. Repent and turn away before it's too late.
Am I an asshole for pointing all this out? Perhaps. But it's a moniker I'm willing to wear if it helps someone avoid becoming a child abuser.
I'll leave you with this article:
Now, who wants some coffee? Peace friends.
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