17th September 2010
“Those who are uncomfortable or fearful of someone who is different from them sometimes hide behind religion to gain power, nurture their ignorance and justify their prejudices.”
L. Z. Granderson
“Those who are uncomfortable or fearful of someone who is different from them sometimes hide behind religion to gain power, nurture their ignorance and justify their prejudices.”
L. Z. Granderson
September 17th, 2010 at 1:30
Similar to yesterday’s AQOTD, just swap out ‘religion’ with ‘superstition’.
September 17th, 2010 at 6:41
*coulikegaysgh*
September 17th, 2010 at 9:39
I don’t think xenophobia, homophobia etc leads people to religion. Rather, religion tends to make people insular, judgmental and tribal. The cause and effect in this quote is ass backward IMHO.
September 17th, 2010 at 11:31
Actually, I do agree with you, MC. The religious listen to their pastors yell, shout, and scream as they’re running up and down the stairs spouting obscenities about a particular group, yet that pastor doesn’t even have a clue as to what the bible truly has to say about what he’s ranting about. He only knows what his previous pastor taught him, and that’s usually never much. Then, everyone just follows the mob mentality and nod and smile pretty until it’s they don’t know what the hell to think anymore as they’re dragging out the pitchforks.
You not only entrust your “soul” to God, you also toss your mind to the man at the podium.
September 17th, 2010 at 12:01
i think the quote has validity……..ignorant and fearful people quite often
justify their thinking/actions thru their (supposed) religious beliefs.
for a swell example, check out the “Creativity Alliance”
September 17th, 2010 at 16:50
AMC you raise an interesting question.
I am not sure there is a causal relationship in either direction.
It might just be ‘birds of a feather, flock together’, i.e., minds which do not or can not practice rational thought are susceptible to xenophobia, homophobia, and superstition.
GreatEighth, I’m not sure what you are saying by “*coulikegaysgh*”.
Most prejudice towards gays is based in ignorance and fear, similar to superstit- er – religion.
September 17th, 2010 at 17:48
In my experience, religion can attract and promote bigotry as well as support inclusiveness. People will shop for a preacher that aligns with their attitudes, both prejudiced and inclusive. And, clearly, a person can be radicalized by the right preacher playing on their fears and emotions and sense of ingroup/outgroup. More generally, the more fundamentalist a brand is the more it castigates the “other” be they jews, gays, muslims, atheists or any other group singled out by their holy book for special condemnation. Which does not bode well for Catholicism. Witness the Pope’s remarks about atheists yesterday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/16/pope-benedict-xvi-atheist-extremism
Could this former hitler-youth member fail to remember that Hitler was, in fact, a Catholic? Doubtful, which means he’s simply a liar.