How religions affect us [View All]

There are many threads on DU debating whether liberals, or DUers, hate people for whom religion is an important part of their life.

For me, the jury is still out. I think that it was religion that instilled in people the command to care for widows and orphans, for the sick and the poor. Yes, today all of us feel like that, but I think that we got this through earlier generations and at some point it was a sense of duty, because this is what "god" demanded.

But we know that religion has contributed to many wars and millions of wounded and dead and displaced people, as well as ruined homes and communities.

Certainly as liberals we sometimes reject the notion that a religious belief should dictate our actions and policy since such cannot be debated - which is the root of democracy.

And all of us are alarmed at the spread of religious extremes across the globe - of all the monotheistic ones, at least. We are scared and object to any group of people telling us how to live our lives because this is "god's commands." (And one can wonder whether the god of Pat Robertson is the same as the god of Muslim suicide bombers).

I try to understand that proselytizing is an important aspect of many religions. Still, it bothers me that so many demand that we convert to their religion. Christians used it in the past and now it is the Muslims.

The main damage that religions have been doing, I think, is the way they affect individual people, the way they prevent them from living healthy, free thinking life.

I once had a friend who told me that he stopped going to church and to confession. I consider myself a decent guy, he said, and I don't see why I should go and confess for sins that I have not committed, or subject myself to heaps of guilt.

About 10 years ago I saw a made for TV movie about life of Catholic women in Australia, I think. And one woman, with too many kids, was given birth control pills. And I remember a scene where she was in the bathroom, holding those pills, full of terror about the sin she was about to commit.. and flushed them down the toilet.

And we know how people are frightened that they will end up in hell because they do not follow a certain doctrine.

And today I read a really sad letter in the Dear Abby column:

http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/?uc_full_date=20060407

FEAR OF COMING OUT CAUSES MAN TO WITHDRAW FROM LIFE

DEAR ABBY: I am a 23-year-old male. Ever since I was in middle school, I have been dealing with the possibility that I might be a homosexual. Today I no longer think it's a "possibility." I know it's a fact.

For years, not a day has gone by that I have not had homosexual thoughts and urges. I have dated a few females to try to "change," but those attempts have been unsuccessful.

I am depressed, confused and angry with myself. I am becoming reclusive. I have withdrawn from most of my classes in college, and I don't want to socialize with people. Sometimes I think my life is over before it ever began.

I come from a religious family in south Georgia who believe that homosexuality is a sin and God will punish gays. In my part of the country, homophobia is everywhere. If I ever told anyone what I am feeling, I could never show my face around here again.

I keep asking myself whether or not my life would be better if I told people that I am a homosexual. I am beginning to believe that if I come out, my life would be better. I'd do it now, but I couldn't stand that my family would be disappointed with me -- and I don't want to lose what friends I have left. I also can't bear the thought that my religious community would condemn me. What would you do if you were in my situation? -- CONFUSED IN GEORGIA

DEAR CONFUSED: If I were you, I'd accept that my life wasn't working and I'd probably come out. However, I am NOT you. If you come out to your family and friends, it's important that you understand that you will change. It will be better, but it will also be different. How close can any of these people really be to you if they don't know who you are?

Before making up your mind, I urge you to go online to www.lgbtcenters.org and locate some gay and lesbian centers where you can get counseling. (Atlanta might be a good place to start.) You can't hide forever. With emotional support, taking such a big step will be easier.

P.S. Eventually it might be better if you move to a more diverse community to complete your education and begin your new life.