Weird and Religious
In parts of West Africa and the Caribbean, traditions developed in which spirits could “mount” a person during rituals. The person would shake, speak differently, or lose awareness, and this state was seen as a god or ancestor temporarily using a human body.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
2017, Marawi in the Philippines. Islamist Muslim militants seized parts of the city, leading to months of fighting. The group justified the uprising as establishing an Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia, enforcing Islamic rule, and resisting a government seen as illegitimate.
Fact
In Buddhism, personal experience is important, and Buddhism encourages individuals to examine teachings in their own lives rather than accepting them purely on authority.
Why religion survives
Religion embeds itself in family, culture, language, and community. To believe is to belong and to doubt is to risk isolation. Humans are social animals, and belonging is not optional. The threat of exclusion triggers the same fear systems as physical danger. Religion exploits this instinct expertly, ensuring that leaving belief carries social cost. That cost need not be enforced violently to be effective. Shame, disappointment, and loss of status are often enough.
Quote of the day
“God is a concept by which we measure our pain.” John Lennon.
Ask the right question
If humans are the pinnacle of creation, why are we so biologically fragile and dependent on countless other life forms?
Religious Crooks
Ann Lee, leader of the Shakers, claimed divine visions and authority, requiring followers to surrender property and live communally, with critics describing the system as one where religious devotion translated into total economic control.
For more information, google the name.
If a real God existed, would he allow crooks to act on his behalf?