Weird and Religious
Islamic texts describe a bridge called As Sirat that all people must cross after judgement. It is said to be thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword, suspended over hell. Some cross quickly, others crawl, and some fall. The afterlife includes what sounds like a cosmic obstacle course.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
1984, Amritsar in India. Indian forces stormed the Golden Temple complex to remove Sikh militants, causing heavy casualties and damage to a sacred site. Militants had framed their campaign as defence of Sikh faith and rights, while the state justified action as restoring order.
Fact
In Zoroastrianism, marriage and family life are valued, and Zoroastrianism encourages social stability and continuity.
Emotion and Religion
Emotion undermines critical thinking. Fear, awe, guilt, hope, and belonging all interfere with rational evaluation. Religion is saturated with emotional triggers for a reason. Fear of death, fear of punishment, hope of reward, and longing for meaning are powerful motivators. Under emotional pressure, the brain narrows its focus and lowers its scepticism. This is why religious rituals rely on music, chanting, architecture, and ceremony. These tools bypass reason and speak directly to the nervous system. The feeling arrives first, and the explanation follows later.
Quote of the day
“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.” Seneca.
Ask the right question
Why does religious certainty often correlate more with upbringing than with independent investigation?
Religious Crooks
Herbert W. Armstrong founded the Worldwide Church of God, preaching apocalyptic messages while building a media and education empire funded by tithes, with later internal scandals and financial controversies after his leadership period.
For more information, google the name.
Almost all of the crooks appearing in this section have their own wikipedia page.
Throughout history and still to this day, there has never been a shortage of religious leaders who were not always following their own spiritual advice.