RE: Word of the Week, Ep. 3: "Religion"
Evenin' Cap'n. I derived great insight into religion through the works of Joseph Campbell. His series of interviews with Bill Moyers is a classic (The Power of Myth), and should be viewed by anyone even remotely interested (or invested) in the subject of religion. His books provide an even richer context and invaluable insight (though are not generally written for the casual reader, and will appeal most to those who enjoy a more serious academic style).
Religion is notorious for its use as a control mechanism, but we should be careful to not toss both baby and bathwater aside in reactionary indignation. Many materialist atheists can trace their current perspective back to such rebelliousness, and though you may eventually come to this conclusion, it should not be based upon the failings of religion.
Most notable of these failings is the exclusivity of many religions (i.e. XYZ person and/or doctrine is the only path to salvation, etc.). This notion Campbell will alleviate quite readily, as will any honest analysis of religious history. Common themes permeate nearly all the religions of the world, and will be easily discerned if their study is approached from the perspective of seeking personal value (a topic which I wrote briefly about here), as opposed to factual historical or metaphysical content.
More than just morality (which is actually the scientific study of behavioral cause-and-effect), religion can provide an accessible metaphorical framework for understanding the grand mysteries of the cosmos.
Though religion has been the tool of tyrants for millennia, the poison pill is commonly served together with a body of truth; such that it may piggy-back upon the resonance such truth inspires. Remembering that all evil is a perversion of valid truth, if we can see past the opportunistic, deceptive interpretations of religious mythology, we may yet find something of immense personal and social value hidden within these ancient teachings.
...the one whose coming springs from the power of Satan in every mighty deed and in signs and wonders that lie, and in every wicked deceit for those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved." -2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
Campbell seemed to know his stuff.
Evil being wrapped in truth is a clever trick that has been used for generations to dupe the masses. If people studied religion with a real intent of seeking personal value as opposed to interpreting it has historically factual and metaphysical I think there would be less "radical" religious lunatics.
Absolutely, but it’s difficult to shake off that intetpretation when it’s being purposefully promoted on such a massive scale. Also, it’s a far simpler interpretation requiring little thought, which is very agreeable to a society who has been taught that indoctrination is education.