Religion

Why I was wrong about it!

I became an atheist after reading a book “The God Delusion” where the author pointed out the atrocities committed because of the blind faith of people. It was easy to believe him because that is how the narrative was built - Terrorism in today’s world was in the name of the god.

However, one video with the same author, revealed that conducting in-depth interviews with terrorists demonstrated that it was not just religion but the catastrophic reaction between religion + nationalism that led people into acts of violence.

Some may say that it doesn’t matter because it is the blind faith associated with religion that makes people do such stuff. However, I would like you to give an example from Science to demonstrate that even science can fall into the same trap of nationalism.

A German scientist created ammonia which helped improve the fertilization of soil leading to increased food production. The same scientist who was also patriotic, used the same concept to create poisonous gas which was used in World War 1 against the enemies. This is just one example, I don’t need to mention the horrors of World Wars 1 and 2, to further my point on how even science can be catastrophic if blinded by nationalism.

While one can deny the existence of god, it is difficult to deny that believing in god can help people. When I came back to India after a few years of living in the United States, the thing that most mesmerized me was how people lived with so much hope despite living in such poverty and poor conditions.

Believing in god, and following a religious practice give people a sense of belonging, a distraction from the world. Just like we do when we read a fictional story like Harry Potter and when we get happy when our favorite but fictional sports team like Manchester United wins a game.

You may again argue that “I know my fiction is fiction but the people who believe in God don’t see it as fiction. “

Fair point but tells this to the sports fans, the hooligans, violence and racism the consequences for which are real. The fictional stories in movies that make adolescents start smoking, eve teasing and use violence.

Religious practices can be both good and bad. Some practices are rooted in the context of local flora and fauna and promote sustainability. Some may be bad that can take away the dignity of a certain member of the community.

If we start cancelling all practices on the belief that it is orthodox, does it come from a reasonable and rational mind or from our biased mind of western thinking?

So, what should be the way forward? What do you teach your children?

All religious practices are bad. There is no god. Science is awesome. It helped us to advance.

Or do you provide them with the tools to choose? Tools to measure, analyze, experiment and find their own truth.

I, personally, don’t believe there is a war between Religion and Science and I have to choose between one. A world just based on science, will be a world of no heterogeneity, no diversity, no tradition and culture, and a world just based on Religion will be a world of no progress and advancement of human civilization.

References:

Video: Dawkins on religion: Is religion good or evil?

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins