Survey Says: “Religion is ‘the new social evil’”
It’s always interesting to see how opinions and perceptions change over time. From the TimesOnline:
A poll by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation uncovered a widespread belief that faith - not just in its extreme form - was intolerant, irrational and used to justify persecution.
Pollsters asked 3,500 people what they considered to be the worst blights on modern society, updating a list drawn up by Rowntree, a Quaker, 104 years ago.
The responses may well have dismayed him. The researchers found that the “dominant opinion” was that religion was a “social evil”.
Many participants said religion divided society, fuelled intolerance and spawned “irrational” educational and other policies.
One said: “Faith in supernatural phenomena inspires hatred and prejudice throughout the world, and is commonly used as justification for persecution of women, gays and people who do not have faith.”
…..
The findings contrast with Rowntree’s “scourges of humanity”, which included poverty, war, slavery, intemperance, the opium trade, impurity and gambling.Poverty and drugs remain, but are joined by issues such as family breakdown, young people’s behaviour and fears over immigration.
…..
“Britain has had it with religion,” he said.
Being a woman, lesbian and atheist I can’t say I disagree much with their perceptions. Religious beliefs are the most significant reason I don’t have my full Civil and Human Rights. It is because some people think their religious beliefs trump my Human/Civil Rights that I am treated as a second-class citizen though I am a law-abiding, tax-paying adult. And it is through (certain) religions that people are taught to hate and seek to harm me and others like me simply because I am a lesbian and atheist.
No, I’m not a hater of religion or those who ascribe to religion. I’m merely tired of being a victim of those who think their religious beliefs trump the rights of everybody and everything, and I know I’m not the only one. It would be nice if religious adherents were to consider how their actions affect others, and practice The Golden Rule every now and then. That’s in the Bible and is also found in myriad other religions and philosophies. Just imagine how much nicer life would be if everyone live by that one simple rule.
