Is it normal to hate religion

Hate is a strong word... but I certainly dislike it. It would be a positive thing I think if religion became exstinct and was replaced by peoples own, unique and personal "beliefs" systems, manifested from there own personal experiences in life, not dictated to them, or used as a tool of control. To each there own should be the way of the world.

Of course it's man's darkness. But those who fail to see the darkness that they created can never truly see the light.

You example of raising taxes is a bit extreme. Any society that experiences this will rise up and a revolution will happen.

Yes, men are selfish. But being selfish isn't always negative. We are often working towards a common goal. It all boils down to basic needs: chop wood, carry water. If you help me fell a tree we can both have wood. And why wouldn't we share the fire? Just because it benefits the individual does not mean it isn't benefiting the whole. Working together makes life easier for the individual. We are social creatures so this comes naturally to most people.

It's inherent. And of course we do, this is how the justice system works. This is the root of vengeance. It's a game of balance- searching for equilibrium of all experiences. This is how human sacrifice was morally acceptable in some cultures. But first, you need to define what is right and what is wrong.

Just because terror works, does not make it the only "true morality." Compassion works too.

I didn't answer the darkness in religion before because the post was getting lengthy. But I'm glad you are paying attention. Darkness- there are so many examples. The crusades, witch hunts, suicide bombers, the killing of doctors who preform abortions, protesting funerals of gay soldiers. If you deny that darkness exists, you can never see the light. You need the dark, to define the light. And you need the light to define what it means to be dark. They cannot exist alone. And if you ignore this shadow, you can't really see the light.

And yes, this darkness lurks deep within us all. How will it manifest?

And yes, I can be very naive. I know this about myself. But I have to believe that judges are fair and just because if I don't, then the world become a dark and ugly place. This does not mean I think that all judges are fair and just- many of them are corrupt. But not all of them.

There is enough cynicism in this world I do not need to add to it. But don't assume this means I let people walk all over me. Truly people rarely do.

Oh Valkeer...

A judge does not have the privilege to judge by this standard. It isn't his job. His job is to be a judge and to interpret the law as he deems fit. However, in his home- when he isn't working. I hope he treats his son with the same temperament he would expect from his father. (However this is often how negative patterns of abuse are established)

And don't fool yourself into thinking that people are incapable of punishing themselves. This is where guilt creeps in. Not that everyone is capable of this, Some people have very odd moral compasses.

But the man who skids on the ice and accidentally hits and kills a small child who is playing nearby will likely punish himself far more than any court system ever could.

I hate religion too. They all have dark shadows they ignore (or blame darkness on something other than the individual (self).)

My dad taught me to live by the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. It's a simple philosophy, yet effective.

"To each THEIR own should be the way of the world"

By saying that every man should have the freedom to go their own way you are intolerant of any other way of life. You forbid others to live any other lifestyle other than the lifestyle you subscribe to.

And if you didn't you'd be intolerant of anyone who would try. Bigotry is coiled into any religion and any idea. It is unavoidable.

But for what reason do you mindlessly hate religion?

It's usually the atheists like Saloth Sar, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Kim Jong Il that end lives so why not hate atheism as it produced more destructive leadership than any other idea/religion in the history of the world?

Is it the history of violence, corruption, and child abuse that religion carries that you hate? If that is the case, it is not religion you hate, but human nature. If there were no such thing as religion, humans would find some other convenient excuse to exploit people and cover up immoral behavior. For Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, atheism and evolution filled the role nicely.

Yes yes totally normal! In fact as I see it religions are the source of so frraking many humanity issues. Religion fanatics are DANGEROUS.

Loof for "the root of all evil?" documentary over the internet.

Religion is a filthy disgusting murderous thing that has been the death of billions. Religion is man's understanding and rules about God. Belief and God, however, and the greatest thing in the whole of reality.

To put it more simply:

How many people would believe in Christianity if they knew it led to Hell? How many would believe in democracy if they could lose their lives?

Most people have never cared for what's right. They only care for their own lives and what will make it easier.

1. You're fooling yourself if you really believe there's anything inherit (read: born with) in human nature that desires to right wrongs and cares what's morally right.

Man's only true morality is the terror and punishment the law provides.

2. You never answered why you believe that religion has "darkness" in it.

A man sees the world as he sees himself. When you see the cruelty and subhuman mentality in religion are you perhaps glimpsing into yourself?

3. Again, you're being very naive if you think judges don't interpret the law through the lens of their own beliefs and "moral compass".

"They all have dark shadows they ignore?"

Like what? Explain yourself.

"Do unto others..."

Ok but when two nations clash over what idea/belief will create the best society, how do you apply that emotionally relative philosophy?

How does the judge apply it to the murderer? How does a father apply that to his son when he's screwed up?

If he were to live by that then the son and the murderer must escape punishment as no man dreams of punishment, terror, and destruction for himself so how could he deal it out to others?