by Star

There is a good analogy which can be used to explain an important human social phenomenon. The analogy is a child who has access to a gun and can thereby create a tragedy anytime while playing with it.

If this hypothetical child kills another person or hurts himself or herself, who do you blame –the child or the gun? You may argue that the gun couldn't’t be dangerous if the user is mature enough to understand how to use it. This argument might be accepted if we could only agree that there is some good in a a gun because it is made to destroy, no matter what –either organic material (human flesh) or inorganic material (a target board for sports). Without any doubt, the nature of a gun is destructive.

But let’s assume that there is some good in a gun, making it legitimate to own such a weapon and use it for good reasons (for instance, hunting for food and self-protection, which can be vital to our survival). In this case, we can’t blame the gun and , in our analogy, we should be wary of those who use one. This means that we have to keep the gun away from the child.

Now let’s use this analogy to explain a social phenomenon. To me, religion is like a gun that can be used to destroy humanity. You may again argue that it depends on who practises religion. If one is like an immature child (think of Osama Ben Ladin), then one can use religion to harm and destroy. And if one is a conscious adult (think of George W. Bush), one can use religion as a salvation for humanity (God bless America).

Again, let’s assume that it is true that religion in the hands of good people can be useful to humanity. But wait a second. Take a look at human history and find the function and role of religion in human life. You will find that religion has been used as one of the best excuses to create war and atrocities.

We are still using religion to legitimize our evil actions. Just look at what happened in New York in September 11, 2001. Look at the human atrocities which happened in Yugoslavia during the past decade. Just look at ongoing human hatred and tragedies in the so-called holy lands of Israel and Palestine. Look at the religious suicide bombers. Take a look at the Dark Ages with the burning of witches, and the Middle East’s lack of human rights due to religious rights. Look at the pain and hatred in Ireland which has been ongoing for centuries. Look at the Second World War and its notorious ovens. Look at the crusades and Jihads. Look at the mass suicide of different small religions (so-called cults as Islam and Christianity once were cults) like the branch Davidians, Jonestown, Heaven’s Gate and others. Look at the burning crosses of the Klu Klux Klan. All of these historical evidences reveal the fact that we have been using religion as a legitimate excuse to eliminate each other and create human suffering.

Even if your argument is right that religion does have a good nature and it all depends on who practises it, then I should argue that, unfortunately, we have not grown up as a conscious species to be able to use religion in a constructive way. Thousands of years of civilization testify to this fact. Therefore, we are still kids, and the gun of religion should be kept away out of our reach until we grow up. Otherwise, I can imagine that by the time we evolve as a wise and honourable species, we will realize that religion is destructive in its own nature and that we must put it aside for good and forever.

How about the gun of God? How about if the analogy of a bullet to a gun is like a religion to a god? I leave it up to you to find a better analogy. Good luck!

by Star