In many countries people are free to believe in no religion. For that they will answer only to whatever God or Gods there may be, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for their God. Without this caveat there is no freewill and no freedom. There is only government tyranny and religious tyranny. Tyranny only serves those who profit by tyranny--and surely doesn't serve any god that is truly a God..
2007-05-08 07:38:15 · 6 answers · asked by Terry 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think ultimately, all of us are free to do one thing. Create. If that is taken from us, it's only thieving source is a form of tyranny.
And regarding those who do not believe? Whom will they answer to? No one. They are free to create the reality they choose including a universe without a god. God, as conceived of by human beings, will reflect either love or tyranny depending on the specific belief system.
The true nature of god, be it real or not, cannot be fully understood by animals such as us. The best we can achieve is a "taste."
2007-05-08 07:50:44 · answer #1 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the thing is that religion is a great venue for tyranny. It provides the foundations of prejudice, hatred, in-groups vs out-groups, and the entire mentality needed for totalitarianism and other fascist or tyrannical regimes. The religious mindset and the nature of belief makes it easy to twist for nefarious purposes (or will naturally result in genocide and violence as with christianity and islam).
For a perfect example of this, refer to Nazi Germany... they had the most christian population of anywhere at the time (maybe anywhere in history) with 55% protestant and 40% catholic, and a charismatic catholic leader (Adolf Hitler) who would speak against the Jews (who were hated by christians even still at that point and were a common enemy). Hitler created a tyranny that was not only accepted by the people, but officially and publicly endorsed by both the Vatican and the Protestant Church.
Such is the way religion can foster and be used for tyranny.
2007-05-08 07:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by Mike K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In any country people are free to believe in no religion. The issue is when countries restrict people from believing and worshiping as they please. That is tyranny. I know of no country that says "If you don't believe in this religion we will kill you" (muslims excluded) Therefore with the exception of the middle east I have only seen governmental tyranny.
2007-05-08 07:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by Sylvia G 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tyranny is bad. True agreement by an entire community to live according to certain rules based on beliefs, not so bad.
But exceedingly rare.
2007-05-08 07:44:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree!!
2007-05-08 07:44:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
uhmm....OK?
2007-05-08 07:44:29 · answer #6 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋