Monday, November 07, 2005

Brief

See Fred's new article Paris Burns Again. I wonder to what degree Fred is right about the future. It is not altogether unlikely.

See also this article, Too clever by half, by Razi Azmi. It raises some valid questions that some Muslims should ask themselves.

I hope the revolts in France have little to do with Islamic culture and religion and much more with poverty, discrimination and unemployment. But I am afraid it is not the case.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

More violence and divorce in religious societies

This was the headline of an article in a Danish newspaper today. A researcher has compared a number of western countries. The conclusion is that religious democracies have more social problems than societies with many agnostics, atheists and other non-believers.

I have a link here to the US report; but I have so far only perused it briefly.

But I could have told you that anyway, without doing any scientific studies on the subject... When I saw this article I thought: Obviously.

The number one cause for conflict and war has historically always been religion. Or let me paraphrase that, religion has always been an excuse for conflict and war. Truly religious people of course don't need to convince other people by killing them. And to kill in God's name is somewhat an oxymoron. Even though it is probably one of the most common causes of death in violent conflicts.

Some of the most decent and kind people I have ever met are religious. Many of them very interesting people. If they try to convince you about anything then it is by example, because they are very sure of themselves and their beliefs. And as any decent person can explain - you don't ever force beliefs on other people or try to control their thoughts.

One of the smartest men I have ever met, a religious philosopher, actually once explained to me that he thought teaching or convincing people is plainly wrong. You may only answer if asked and otherwise just try to teach people to learn. One day realization will come or not - but only this way may a perseon ever truly come to realize and eventually to believe...

Now we come back to the study. Why then have so many conflicts a religious element? Well let's jump right away to the conclusion. It is done by evil people. Evil as in bad - not good. Sick people who will use anything and anybody to cause some harm. Especially if you disagree with their narrow stupid minds. They are manipulative people who have a hidden agenda.

There is usually not much or anything religious, religious defined as holy, decent, moral and ethical, about people who consider themselves very religious. On the contrary. The next time you hear some leader speak in the name of God or according to God's will - just turn away. In best case is that you have a madman in front you. Worst and most probable case - greet evil...

Personally I do not believe much in any religion and hold the belief that societies with a high number of agnostics and atheists are a natural development of the human race. Until proven otherwise, I distinctly fail to see any need to believe in supernatural fenomena. I will not discount it absolutely and just remain very sceptical. But this is my personal belief, which I am ready to discuss anyday. I will be the first one to admit that my entire "personal belief system", if you will, of moral and ethics, is rooted in Western European Christian traditions. I may not believe in the bible but I do act and live accordingly to many of its teachings. It is very important that we live purtaining to certain moral and ethical codexes.

Conclusion: Frankly, it seems to me that agnostics and atheists on a whole are more balanced, more decent, have more character and are more intelligent than people who stand up and call themselves a moral majority. Maybe now science can prove it.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Brief

I have been very busy with work and now affected with a bad cold. I was the last one in the family to get it - with a vengeance. That is why I have not done any updates.

Have a look here at the Edge of Computation Science Prize, click on the nominated scientists to get a view of the people and cutting edge science. Very interesting.

Bush has found a real conservative for the Supreme Court. A real conservative court could set back development in the US by a generation concerning liberal rights and a modern society. Look out for mandatory prayers before crossing the street. That could very well be the major Bush legacy. I hope det democrats will be able to fight it.

Don't miss Fred's new column A Brass Pole In Bangkok.