For me the religions are the instruments of control, unification and government in the first place and I consider them to be outdated as opposed to secular ideologies. Secular ideologies can be also at times as violent as religions but at least they don't generally try to screw with peoples' brains as massively as religions do. Though seeing how religions aren't going to be abolished in upcoming years I'd say that the less violent and less dogmatic ones are better of course.

(November 19, 2014 at 4:19 pm)Smaug Wrote: For me the religions are the instruments of control, unification and government in the first place and I consider them to be outdated as opposed to secular ideologies. Secular ideologies can be also at times as violent as religions but at least they don't generally try to screw with peoples' brains as massively as religions do. Though seeing how religions aren't going to be abolished in upcoming years I'd say that the less violent and less dogmatic ones are better of course.

If something changes from idea to ideology, it's always bad news. Religions are in fact ideologies evolving from philosophies. And ideology is by it's very nature exclusive and prone to indoctrination and violence.

I like the fact that UU admits atheists into the fold, without demanding the acceptance of a deity.

But I reject the principle that organizational edicts should carry extra weight because they've been handed down from on high. All precepts should be subject to questioning. That aspect of religious thought turns me off from all of them.

I agree. The sad thing is that humanity seems to be incapable of abandoning ideologies (religions included) at this moment. While there are much people interested in control via ignorance no significant progress is to be expected. So favouring less violent variants may be a viable temporary option for the sake of survival of the civilization.

(November 19, 2014 at 4:54 pm)Smaug Wrote: I agree. The sad thing is that humanity seems to be incapable of abandoning ideologies (religions included) at this moment. While there are much people interested in control via ignorance no significant progress is to be expected. So favouring less violent variants may be a viable temporary option for the sake of survival of the civilization.

one day we will one day.