Weird and Religious
The Zoroastrian religion traditionally avoided burying or burning bodies because both earth and fire were sacred. Corpses were placed in stone towers where birds consumed them, to avoid polluting the natural elements.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
1692, Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. Government soldiers killed members of Clan MacDonald after a delayed loyalty oath amid sectarian tension. Though political, it was partly justified as enforcing a Protestant settlement and suppressing rebellion associated with Catholic and Jacobite loyalties.
Fact
In Christianity, the church is understood as a spiritual community, and Christianity sees it as the body of believers rather than only a building or institution.
Giving Life Meaning
The fear of meaninglessness plays a role in Religion. A universe without intention feels cold, and a life without cosmic purpose feels small. Gods solve this by placing humanity at the centre of everything. The universe becomes a stage built for human drama. Suffering becomes meaningful, obedience becomes important, and each person becomes known and watched. This is deeply flattering to the human ego but also profoundly comforting. Being insignificant is far more frightening than being judged.
Quote of the day
“Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings.” Victor J. Stenger.
Ask the right question
If moral behaviour can be explained by evolution and social cooperation, what extra explanatory work does religion do?
Religious Crooks
Keith Raniere led NXIVM, a group framed in part with spiritual and self improvement language, and was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking, with the organisation described as using quasi religious authority to control and exploit members.
For more information, google the name.
Almost all of the crooks appearing in this section have their own wikipedia page.
Religion is supposed to bring morality but it also seem to bring a lot of crooks who take advantage of people.