From Mark Twain to Christopher Hitchens it takes courage in a superstition world to admit feelings of passionate truth.
Dear ones,
It's difficult to believe that people were punished, tortured and stretched on a rack until they died because they refused to subscribe to one of the three original related Semitic Abraham law persuasions.
Humanity hasn't changed much regarding zealots copy-catting, history's most gruesome revenge regarding extermination of other people who have different belief systems–in "God's name!" Shades of Middle Eastern Isis (ISIS) today. The ancient past is still with the world when some sects never progress but continue to march backwards.
Bravery is not in following the crowd with blazing torches and mouths foaming, ready to rush in for the kill over rivals of opposing beliefs. Among history's important American scientists and politicians who greatly improved the lives of all people are Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson and Stephen Hawking. (I must learn more about other nation's great humanitarian leaders.) Paine not only had a hand in writing the United States Constitution, but he also influenced the thinking of Jefferson–who wrote his own Bible using only the good teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.
Paine wrote, "To do good is my religion. Tyranny is religion at its worst. A [faith] institution appears to me to be no other than human invention set up to terrify and enslave mankind and profit." (see law book in Hebrew Bible, "Leviticus" 25:44 about those in bondage kept as servants (slaves) taken from the heathen (heretics) meaning non-believers)
Edison remarked, "I am proud I never invented a weapon that kills people."
Hawking said, "Spontaneous creativity is why the universe is here." He also wrote that theology is not necessary for a good life. Amen!
At last atheists and agnostics are honored for their truthfulness. Instead of being reviled they are now revered.
Mame
www.macdonsaldsward.com
helenesmith1.blog spot, com
