[whenitbegan]

I think 9/11 probably wasn't what the media said it was, but either way, i think people should stop treating their religions like frat houses or rival football teams...it seems like most of the major religions that argue over things like that all have some code or scripture promoting peace and inner faith. i just think once you get political you kind of lose focus of the point of your religion.

i definitely see the potential for controversy on this particular subject but see more potential for hatred and bigger controversies. maybe little think first-act later state of mind would help.

[planckman]

Originally Posted by whenitbegan

i think people should stop treating their religions like frat houses or rival football teams...it seems like most of the major religions that argue over things like that all have some code or scripture promoting peace and inner faith. i just think once you get political you kind of lose focus of the point of your religion.

I agree that religions deserves more reverence from their practitioners. It does seem natural for it to become politicized given it is an easy route to power for a run of the mill megalomaniac. The behaviors of religious groups are more of a reflection of human nature than the theologies that they "promote". The goal is often less about upholding the concepts of the religion than for it to serve as a banner to unite people under. The unfortunate reality of this phenomenon is that committing to a banner means one spends far less time than they would prefer actually pursuing spiritual enlightenment which is presumably (or is it supposedly?) the goal.

It is no accident that those most strongly pushing their religion in public arenas are the least likely to epitomize its message; consider the acts of Mother Theresa.