Weird and Religious
In ancient Greece, people visited healing temples dedicated to Asclepius, where they slept in the temple hoping the god would appear in dreams and prescribe a cure. Priests then interpreted the dreams as medical advice.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
622 to 630, Arabian Peninsula. Early Muslim community conflicts under Muhammad included battles such as Badr and the conquest of Mecca. Fighting was justified in Islamic terms as defence of the Muslim community, struggle against persecution, and establishing God’s rule over society and sacred space.
Fact
In Taoism, flexibility is admired, and Taoism uses images such as water to illustrate strength through softness.
Religion and Storytelling
Storytelling is central to religion. Humans do not think in statistics but in narratives. A story with characters, motives, and consequences is easier to remember and transmit than a complex explanation or an honest admission of ignorance. Gods became characters in humanity’s longest-running story. They explained the seasons, justified suffering, and promised resolution. Each retelling polished the narrative. Gaps were filled, contradictions ignored, and authority added. Over generations, stories turned into myths, myths into doctrines, and doctrines into sacred truth. The original fear that inspired them was forgotten, but the structures remained.
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
If sacred texts are clear guidance, why do they require historical context to avoid harmful interpretations?
Religious Crooks
Father Divine, leader of the International Peace Mission movement, claimed divine status and attracted donations and property from followers, with detractors arguing that his religious claims underpinned a system that channelled wealth and loyalty to himself.
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.
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.