Weird and Religious
In parts of medieval Europe, people believed in “ordeals” as a way to let God decide guilt. An accused person might carry a red hot iron or plunge a hand into boiling water. If the wound healed cleanly, that was taken as proof of innocence.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
2013, Nairobi in Kenya. Islamist Muslim group Al Shabaab attacked the Westgate shopping centre, killing shoppers. The group said the assault was retaliation for Kenyan military action in Somalia and framed it as jihad against non Muslims and their supporters.
Fact
In Buddhism, lay followers also have a place, and Buddhism teaches ethical guidelines such as refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and harmful intoxication.
Before neurology
Dreams and altered states of consciousness reinforced religious ideas because the mind produced vivid experiences disconnected from the external world. Without an understanding of psychology or neurology, dreams appeared external and significant. They were interpreted as messages, warnings, or visitations, and gods became the authors of inner experiences that humans could not otherwise explain. The boundary between imagination and reality blurred easily in a world without scientific literacy, and this confusion strengthened belief by making the unseen feel tangible.
Quote of the day
“Religion is the dream of the human mind.” Ludwig Feuerbach.
Ask the right question
Why do religions so often claim special status for their own founders while dismissing others as false?
Religious Crooks
Eddie Long was a megachurch pastor accused in civil suits of coercing young men into sexual relationships while using his spiritual authority, with the cases settled out of court and ongoing debate about financial and power dynamics in his ministry.
For more information, google the name.
Almost all of the crooks appearing in this section have their own wikipedia page.Every country in the world has its fair share of spiritual crooks.
If a real God existed, would he allow crooks to act on his behalf?