It’s O.K. To NOT Believe

Think of the three great Abrahamic religions -- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam -- parallel versions of God, Christ, and Prophets set to fight, even kill each other. Within each are vehement, often incredibly violent 'schisms': in Islam, the Sunni vs. Shia; in Christianity the Protestants vs. the Catholics; in Judaism the Orthodox vs. non-Orthodox. The arguments are pointless. The conflicts are over childish, superstitious fiction. Religious ideas inflict indescribable psychological damage and inspire adherents to maim and kill innumerable people. Churches, Mosques and Temples flourish in opulent splendor that costs astronomical amounts of time and money. Travel through any community and take note of the most outrageously expensive buildings. How can religion claim morality? What is the cost of 'faith', and can humanity afford it?

Kendall Hallett

January 2012