Weird and Religious
In parts of West Africa, belief in witchcraft can focus on the idea that spiritual power is inherited within families and can be used unconsciously to harm others. Misfortune such as illness or business failure may be explained through these unseen forces rather than chance.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
1831, Virginia in the United States. Nat Turner led an enslaved uprising that killed dozens before being crushed. Turner said he acted under visions and biblical inspiration. Later reprisals were defended as protecting a Christian social order and preventing further divinely framed revolt.
Fact
In Zoroastrianism, marriage and family life are valued, and Zoroastrianism encourages social stability and continuity.
Intelligence and Religion
Intelligence does not guarantee immunity from religion. Educated and clever people fall for the same biases, and in some cases, intelligence makes belief harder to dislodge because it provides better tools for rationalisation. Arguments are constructed after conclusions are reached. Theology and philosophy flourish here, not because they uncover truth, but because they offer endless ways to protect belief from evidence. Complexity is mistaken for depth, and obscurity is mistaken for wisdom. The brain congratulates itself for cleverness while avoiding the central question entirely.
Quote of the day
“Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has.” Martin Luther.
Ask the right question
Why do religious taboos often focus on private behaviour while ignoring large scale social harm?
Religious Crooks
Peter Popoff is a faith healer who claimed divine revelations about people in his audience while using hidden radio earpieces to receive information, later declaring bankruptcy and then returning to television ministry selling “miracle” products.
For more information, google the name.
Today we took a look at yet another religious crook but there are hundreds of thousands of them. You could spend a lifetime researching the topic.