Weird and Religious
Among the ancient Maya, human sacrifice was tied to astronomy and kingship. Captured rulers or nobles could be sacrificed during major calendar events. Blood was seen as sacred nourishment for the gods, linking political power, timekeeping, and violence in a single religious act.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
2020, France, Nice. An Islamist extremist killed worshippers in a church. The attacker framed the act as revenge for perceived insults to Islam and justified killing civilians as part of a religious struggle against unbelievers.
Fact
In Islam, the example of Muhammad’s life, known as the sunnah, is treated as a model for behaviour, and Islam encourages imitation of his conduct in both religious and everyday matters.
Resolving Uncertainty
Uncertainty is an enemy of the human mind. Not knowing creates discomfort, demands effort, and threatens control. Religion offers certainty in a universe that provides very little of it. Clear answers feel better than honest ones, and the brain often prefers a wrong explanation to no explanation at all. Gods provide instant causes, purposes, and outcomes. They turn randomness into intention and complexity into plan. This is emotionally satisfying, even when it is intellectually empty. The relief is real, which makes the belief feel real.
Quote of the day
“Every sensible man, every honest man, must hold the Christian sect in horror.” Voltaire.
Ask the right question
Why do religions that preach detachment from the world still build large institutions concerned with wealth and power?
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.
History tells us that wherever fools gathered, there was always a religious crook to take advantage of them. The best way to stop the crooks is not to be a fool.