Religion has been a focal point of our lives and a major source of controversy since it’s inception. We have been brought up thinking its a mandatory part of life without understanding it’s true effect or even life without it. By doing this we limit ourselves spiritually as well as intellectually.
It’s necessary to analyse life without the “Religion Filter”- we must not confine our minds to a box.
We fail to ask ourselves these questions – what is religion? what is it doing for me? Why do we feel compelled to be a part. Religion is suppose to be a guide to how one “should” live their life with the ultimate goal being coexistence. However, for most people it seems to be more of a distraction. The fundamentals of humanity are put on the back burner and selfish desires take over.
In some cases it preys on the vulnerabilities and misplaced needs of persons who need something “greater” to believe in and in others stems from the fact that we are conditioned to fear death and most religions teach that if you adhere to the religions’ policies that you would “go to heaven” “be saved” or “live forever”.
If you look back in history Roman Catholicism has always been the biggest and most powerful church. You were either Catholic or an abomination, like it was a crime to be anything other than Catholic hence they believe the Roman Catholic Church is the one true church. The strong hold and intimidation by the Catholic church lead to the emergence of protestant churches.
Over the years so any churches have emerged – some with questionable motives taking the form of a very strategic business with the allure of tax free exemption where they find ways of extorting money from the congregation/parishioners. They preach total devotion to the church at whatever costs and that good work is being done as a result of the sacrifices.
Religion should not be associated with absolute ludicrous policies such as “Disconnection” and “Fair Game” in Scientology and Disfellowship and Two Witness Policy in Jehovah’s Witness. And thanks to Leah Remini and Mike Rinder on the award winning A&E show “Scientology and the Aftermath” for exposing the abuses endured by persons and giving them a platform to share their experiences. Church, if anything should bring people together not divide them, encourage speaking out against abuses and criminal offences and not cover them up.
The most devastating result of a cult was the Jonestown Massacre in Guyana spearheaded by the People’s Temple leader Jim Jones where over 900 people committed coerced suicide by drinking kool-aid containing cyanide. When this kind of mind control is attained there should be some form of oversight and the implementation of deterrents for persons using the facade of church to exploit people causing irreversible psychological trauma.
