Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hou2a.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!houxm!hou2a!murphy
From: murphy@hou2a.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: religion in general...
Message-ID: <172@hou2a.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 11-Nov-83 14:43:14 EST
Article-I.D.: hou2a.172
Posted: Fri Nov 11 14:43:14 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Nov-83 05:37:32 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 24


              It appears to me that religion (in particular, the 
              organized sort) has always served those in power as
              a very reliable method of manipulating large populations
              (mainly through fear/hatred) towards largely sinister
              and destructive ends. Historical examples of this are legion.

              Religion seems to offer a conceptual framework (some
              would call it a "crutch") to help the bewildered cope
              with a vast and incomprehensible universe. Many people
              apparently have a genuine need for the emotional and moral
              support of religion.

              Some of us prefer naked facts.

              Wasn't it Voltaire who said "There will be no peace on
              earth until the last King strangles on the entrails of the
              last priest" ?

              Those interested in the anti-religious viewpoint might
              like to read "Why I Am Not A Christian" by Bertrand Russell,
              and "The True Believer" by Eric Hoffer.

                                                Rich Ganns
                                                hou2a!murphy