Weird and Religious
In parts of West Africa, the Yoruba tradition includes a god of iron, war, and technology called Ogun, who is believed to govern not only weapons but also modern tools such as cars and machinery. Road accidents are sometimes linked to displeasing Ogun, blending ancient belief with modern life.
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 Judaism, the commandments, often counted as 613 mitzvot, guide religious and ethical life, and Judaism sees these as obligations shaping daily conduct.
Why religion survives
Religion’s persistence is often treated as evidence of its truth. It has lasted for thousands of years, spread across cultures, and gathered billions of adherents. This longevity may be impressive, but it proves nothing about accuracy. Bloodletting lasted for centuries. Astrology guided emperors. Slavery was once universal. Survival is not validation. Religion endures for the same reason many bad ideas endure. It binds itself to human psychology, social structures, and fear.
Quote of the day
“Nothing is so firmly believed as what we least know.” Michel de Montaigne.
Ask the right question
Why would an all loving deity create a system where doubt can lead to eternal loss?
Religious Crooks
Ryuho Okawa founded Happy Science in Japan, claiming to channel spiritual entities and producing a large catalogue of paid books, seminars, and films, with critics describing the organisation as driven by monetised revelations and centralised authority.
For more information, google the name.
Almost all of the crooks appearing in this section have their own wikipedia page.
If a real God existed, would he allow crooks to act on his behalf?