Religion—the root of all evil?

The perpetual turmoil in the Middle East begs the question, “Is religion, or more specifically, religious fundamentalism the root of all evil?”

Throughout history, what has caused the majority of conflicts between countries?

What has spurred “ethnic cleansing”?

Is it:

(1) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes,
(2) Hollywood,
(3) the homosexuals, or
(4) religion?

The correct answer is (4) religion.

Of course, you might disagree with my answer.¹

Many people look to religion for all the answers in life. Let's face it. Life is much easier if you have all the answers in a book.

I think that's why some people are hell bent on converting others to their religion. That way everyone is on the same page. They must follow the rules, and then we will have order in the world.

There are several problems with this thought process. First and foremost, it is not that simple. Just deciding that everyone must convert to your religion will not make it so. Second, it is extremely presumptuous to decide that you must save other people because they do not subscribe to your belief system. Third, it'll never work. Seriously. People have been attempting to convert others for ages. Has it worked? Is there any less religious-inspired fighting in the world? Finally, and most simply, no book contains all of the answers.

And yet, this does not stop people who, in their little minds, are convinced that they are right. Has anyone been converted by the street corner morons preachers who shout witness to strangers passing by? Or better yet, by the ones who find their captive audience on the subway trains on their way home from work? How did they get the impression that this is how to "witness" to people. Does one not catch more flies with honey than with vinegar? It never ceases to amaze me how many alleged christians behave in completely un-christianlike ways. Don't they realize that people learn more from others who set a good example rather than from those who simply yell at them. But I suppose the honey v. vinegar theory means I can't simply reply, “Bitch, please.”

______________________
¹My brother, for example, believes that the carrot— the evil root, as he calls it — is the root of all evil.