Out with the Old. . .

I was watching some calisthenics videos on youtube when a video ad for silicone rings appeared. The ad was for Groove Rings and was super clever. It showed burly men lifting heavy weights, waterskiing, operating machinery, etc. And guess what? All these "real men" were wearing groove silicone rings.

Fast forward to the next scene which featured a bunch of old men sitting around smoking cigars in suits. Of course, they looked quite outdated and wussy. They were captioned as "dad" and "granddad." Quite naturally, they were all wearing "precious metal" rings. 

The gist of the ad was this: replace your dangerous, daddy rings of 'ole with the functional, comfortable rings that allow real men to get things done. Basically, Out with the old; in with the new!

It made me think about the book I started reading today: The End of Faith by Sam Harris. 

I first discovered Sam when I was watching The God Delusion (a fantastic documentary by Richard Dawkins).  If you've never seen it, I recommend it. It definitely expanded my mind. In fact, Dawkins has a newish book on my "to read list" called Science in the Soul. I hear it's phenomenal.

Anyhow, back to Sam and silicone rings. 

The ad, clever as it was, spoke to me on another level as it illustrated what I had read earlier today in my new book: The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason. Sam begins his book by discussing the dangers of religion. He argues that we need to update our outdated, dangerous "God" beliefs before extremists blow up the world. It's not okay to tolerate ideologies, religions, or traditions that foster violence, murder, and general absurdity. 

Most people will claim that religion doesn't incite violence, but sadly, they either don't read their scriptures, or don't understand God's word for Sam cites several passages in the Bible and the Koran (all purportedly authored by God) that clearly show God would have his chosen people eliminate unbelievers or infidels. Martyrs have a special place in God's kingdom and those who fight for God will be rewarded (see Deuteronomy 13:7-11 and the Koran 9:73,123). 

For all religious, and non-religious people, this should be concerning. 

I'm grateful we have men like Sam and Richard who are intent on infusing religion with reason. Contrary to popular belief, neither want to see religion completely erased from the hearts and minds of everyone forever. They just want people to stop placing religion beyond reproach. Religion should be subject to the same rigorous scientific standards. 

But I guess religious peeps are afraid of that because they know if you do subject religion to reason, it unravels. Completely. 

Now, don't freak out. Religion unraveling doesn't mean there isn't a God or that you can't believe in a divine creator. But it sure does mean that no one is sure there is a God, let alone what he or she or they are even like. And no one knows what the next life holds. No one. I've heard plenty of people speculate and prophecy, but it's all man-made. 

There is no one right religion either. The right way to live has always been in peace, love, and harmony. Those aren't religious requisites. They are basic principles for a happy, successful life.

I guess I don't understand why such loving, religious people get so hateful whenever rationalists speak? Why are they so hell-bent on killing the messenger? 

Down with the infidels? Kill the Anti-Christs? Zionism will prevail?

Or on a lighter note, perhaps it's simply because the messengers are so purely evil. Have not their sacred texts forewarned about "Anti-Christs" and "Infidels?" Won't the "Chosen," and "Peculiar People," always face persecution? But alas, their God will not forsake them. Justice will be served, and in the last day, those who fight against the cause will suffer--an eternity in hell where they pay the price for their many abominations. . . 

But I digress. . . 

Finally, I love Sam's query: Why is it that everything else since the Middle Ages has evolved--e.g. medicine,  transportation, technology--except religion? We grew out of Apollo and Zeus and even look back thinking how ridiculous those ideologies were. And yet we haven't outgrown our current tales. Religion and myth is what people use to explain that which they don't understand. Well, hell, we understand a whole lot we didn't use to understand. All Sam wants is reason to take its rightful place.

And guess what?

I stand with Sam!

Why are we still wearing outdated, dangerous "precious metal" rings?