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  • Cleveland Zoo Expands Elephant Area

    For the last couple of years the elephants of the Cleveland Zoo have been in Columbus, this year they return to the Cleveland Zoo as the new exhibit area is complete. They have named the new area African Elephant Crossing. Here is a picture of the new enclosure taken during our visit in May.

    100_1254

    As you can see the area available to the elephants has been greatly enlarged. Here is a picture of the old exhibit area from 2007.

    Elephant exhibit (4)

    They are also welcoming new additions to the elephant home. Shenga, from the Omaha Zoo, and Willy, a full grown African male elephant arrived from Disney’s Animal Kingdom near Orlando Florida. Willy is the only male to join the otherwise all female group.

  • The God Virus: How it Infects Our Lives and Culture. Pt 6

    The Guilt Cycle

    In this, the final installment of Darrel Ray’s book “The God Virus: How it Infects Our Lives and Culture”, I present what he calls “the Guilt Cycle”, and how it is used to keep the faithful, faithful.

    Guilt is a powerful psychological force, he states.. the drive to reduce guilt motivates behavior for years, if not an entire lifetime. Guilt, rather than lessening the activity that produced it, seems to motivate more of the same behavior, resulting in more guilt and efforts to assuage it. This creates a feedback loop of sorts, a guilt loop. Behavior causes guilt, creating tension, which causes the behavior to repeat itself. Religion inserts itself after guilt providing religious forgiveness, short-term relief, tension builds again causing the behavior causing guilt, etc.

    There are two kinds of guilt: Socialized, and religious. Socialized guilt, like that felt for forgetting an anniversary, or birthday, is harmless and may even be beneficial, as when you feel guilt for cheating someone. Religious guilt, only guilt producing in a religious context, for example as that felt after masturbation, would not be felt if you were of a different religion, or of no religion.

    Sexual activity, including masturbation, is of such a nature that control of it by religious guilt cannot be the real goal. The purpose of it is to create religious guilt. Religions know it cannot be stopped, the guilt however is used to bond the individual closer to the religion.

    Darrel Ray asserts that the term “ Family Values” which is tossed around in political circles is a code for a very strict interpretation of family and sexual behavior. Those using the term insist that family values do not include gay marriage or birth control. For these people Family values means “The family has value for the virus”. Indeed, if the family were to become valueless to the virus, it will work to dissolve the family. The focus is on keeping the family as an intact, functional vector for the virus. (vector: an organism (as an insect) that transmits a pathogen) Family shame is a major part of the defense erected by the virus. Shunning of wayward family members is an effective way to chide those who remain to stay in line. “Shunning, ostracism, and excommunication are all versions of maintaining viral purity”.

    A recent study on those who were raised on religion, including those who had little exposure, and who now are free more or less from viral control reveals that those who had little or no exposure have healthier and more enjoyable sex lives than those who were immersed in the virus when growing up. This report can be found at http://ipcpress.com/index.php?id=42

    You must register to download the report. I found it enlightening.

    All in all I found this book a very good read. We must remember that this is one man’s opinion as to a way to view a religion. I have personally always thought that religion does seem to infect the human mind as a virus infects a computer and changes it’s behavior. The similarities of religion to a virus make a very convincing comparison. Just as some viruses compel some animals into self-destructive activities or behaviors designed to spread the virus, so does the virus of religion.

  • The God Virus: How it infects our lives and Culture pt 5

    THE NEW CIVIL RELIGION

    Darrel Ray relates in his book “The God Virus: How it infects our lives and Culture” that the civil religion (What seems to be a cooperative understanding between the various cults of Christianity”) was a bothersome but harmless loose group before World War 2 but that with the rise of competing viruses like Marxism in Russia, was changed into a weapon of the Cold War. The American Civil Religion rose up to confront the “godless communism” of the Soviet Union. The viruses of Marxism and Christianity fed off each other. Darrel Ray asserts that it is no coincidence that “under God”(1954) and the motto on paper money came to have “in God we trust”(1957) came to be.

    “Prayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in organized religion.” –School superintendent on The Simpsons, episode #1

    During this time the United States experienced a surge in religion all the while European countries saw a continued decline. Present day levels of fundamentalism and active participation in civil religion can be traced back to the feared communist threat.

    With the disappearance of the threat from “godless communism” the focus of the Civil Religion today is on “godless humanism”. The sermons presented by the pastors now are against “secular humanism” rather than the previous ones against communism.

    With the liberalization which rose in regards to sexual freedoms, abortion, and birth control, many of the more fundamentalist groups in the U.S. feel threatened. The Moral Majority allowed the many disparate viruses to find common ground which they used to create methods to infect the political system. Jerry Falwell was instrumental in the formation of The Moral Majority as he felt that though one single religious group could infect and dominate the political system, perhaps a coalition could. Those politicians infected by The Moral Majority now work to achieve the ends promoted by the Moral Majority and other similar groups like the Christian Coalition.

    As a result,today,  regardless of the Constitution, religion is a virtual test for high public office. Those who do not meet the criteria face being labeled anti-religious or worse.

    Darrel Ray continues with some of the results of this “New Civil Religion” upon the Nation:

    — specific religious individuals on the Supreme Court.

    –forcing candidates for national office to display their religious credentials.

    –fundamentalist chaplains in the Armed Forces.

    –restricting stem cell research.

    — opening an embassy in the Vatican.

    …among many more.

    The new civil religion is also active in opposing Islamic as well as Hindu, Sikh, Pagan, and Wicca expression.

    The New American Civil religion was successful in placing George W. Bush in office. Five compromised justices now sit on the Supreme Court.

    “Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.” –Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President.

  • The God Virus: How It Infects Our Lives and Culture pt 4

    American Civil Religion

    Darrel Ray, in his book “The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture”, presents what he calls American Civil Religion. Although everyone is familiar with the American Civil Religion, this is the first time I have heard it given a name.

    In early societies religion and culture were inseparable. In societies like the aboriginals of Australia, or the Amazonian tribesmen, or the North American natives, the religions were culture-specific. In modern societies religion and culture are separate.

    He, Darrel Ray, explains that when a virus (religion) invades a society a kind of coupling occurs. This coupling is possible because previously the religion was able to undergo an uncoupling from the society where it originated. “Once religion was uncoupled from a given culture, it could spread to any culture.” he states.

    Numerous religious political groups in the United States see America and Christianity as inseparable. They see everything from the perspective of that belief. Disasters, attacks, failures, are all proclaimed the result of not adhering to what they believe is the will of God. There are individuals, like Mike Huckabee, who steadfastly assert that the Constitution of the United States should be amended to conform to God’s law, or suffer the consequences. Mike Huckabee’s goal has been the goal of Christianity ever since the founding fathers refused to mention any god in the U.S. Constitution.

    “The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion.” – John Adams, 2nd U.S. President.

    “Give the church a place in the Constitution, let her touch once more the sword of power, and the priceless fruit of all ages will turn to ashes on the lips of men.” – Robert Ingersoll

    The American Civil religion was present at the beginning of our republic. It was described by Robert Bellah in his work “Civil Religion in America”. The civil religion is loosely based on the Judeo-Christian tradition, claiming that God blessed this nation and is it’s guiding force. The civil religion gives certain amounts of religious power to the president and expects certain religious acts in return. (prayer breakfasts, regular references to god, and church attendance) This gives the president the appearance of being the high priest of the civil religion.

    The civil religion is a kind of agreement between Judeo-Christian religions to act as one force. Other belief systems are not invited. Should any be invited they are protested.

    Next: The New Civil Religion.

    — Morelater

  • The God Virus: How it Infects Our Lives and Culture Pt 3

    In The God Virus, Darrel Ray explains his view of what occurs when the virus infects an individual. Upon infection the virus begins creating “anti-bodies” to repel competing viruses. Typically the individual will be subjected to studies which provide justifications for the correctness of their own beliefs while instilling arguments for why other interpretations, other faiths, are wrong. Once a person is infected with one religion it is rare that they will switch to another. Religions prefer to work on the minds of children. Usually children infected with a specific God virus stay close to that belief system the rest of their lives. In essence, the God virus creates a powerful immune system protecting the individual from outside influence.

    Fundamentalism is a particularly powerful element of this immune system. Fundamentalism can be compared to inflammation, which is used by the immune system to fight infection. Fundamentalism can be triggered when the god virus is under attack, or attempting to expand it’s infection. Unchecked, this inflammation can be very damaging to the lives of the host and his/her institutions and family. Fundamentalism is incapable of compromise. Discussion is impossible, productive dialogue is unlikely.

    “Fundamentalism isn’t about religion, it’s about power.” –Salman Rushdie

    Science reveals the workings of god viruses. The claims of fundamentalists challenged by scientific inquiry melt away. We may never be totally safe from fundamentalism but the best preventive measure is science education. In western nations where science education is strong god viruses of all kinds have decreased in influence.

  • The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture Pt 2

    In his book Darrel Ray asserts that religion has five useful properties

    1.Infect people.

    2.Create antibodies against other viruses. (religions)

    3.Take over certain mental and physical functions and hide itself in the individual.

    4.Use specific methods of spreading the contagion.

    5.Program the host to replicate the Virus.

    –1. Religions seek to infect individuals when they are young. As the young have not developed cognitive powers capable of detecting falsehoods, this age, between 5 and 7, is a good time to instill the “faith”. Nevertheless, religions, using various lures like offering financial aid with conditions attached, educational opportunities, all the while proselytizing, seek to attract the older audience as well.

    –2. Antibodies simply must be created to fend off competing religions. Bible study full of justifications for their own beliefs and arguments against other interpretations is dispensed. Usually, a child infected with a specific God virus remains close to that religion for life.

    –3. If you ask a believer about his/her beliefs and he/she will recite doctrines learned at age 5 or 10. Just as a virus can lie quietly in a host until triggered. Stress, a traumatic event could instantly reactivate religious beliefs instilled when a child. Catholic priest celibacy is an example of compromised physical functions. Another is dietary restraints or rituals. The virus hides itself. An individual loses the ability to detect contradictions in his/her beliefs and behavior.

    –4. To spread the contagion a delivery system is required. Just as vectors are critical in a parasite’s life cycle god viruses also need vectors. (vector: any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter, as a virus or plasmid that conveys a genetically engineered DNA segment into a host cell.) In the case of the God virus the vectors are priests, ministers, imams, rabbis, popes, etc.

    -5. Virus replication. Certain rituals including baptism, Bar mitzvah, confirmation, daily prayer, or Bible reading and confession are used to ensure that the virus is passed on to the next generation.

    Next: how the virus defends itself against other viruses, and some of the results of infection.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    http://www.recoveringreligionists.com/

  • The God Virus

    A Book Review.

    The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture

    Initially, indoctrination of the young is carried out in all religions. Young malleable minds are filled with the teachings from the various tomes held by the myriad religious faiths. After this, these young people turn into adults, and are sent forth to reveal the “truth” to other peoples, and the infection spreads. More incentives are offered. Money, educational opportunities at religious institutions and others, all with conditions attached.

    Instilled within the minds of those who are “chosen” to spread the infection, and those who simply have been compromised by the infection, are the verses and arguments for their religion. Along with this within their minds is inserted reasons why other religions, other interpretations, are wrong. This is the defensive nature, the antibodies, of religion. These antibodies keep the faithful, faithful. In a nation like the United States with it’s multitude of faiths each faith protects itself, to keep other faiths from stealing away their converts.

    This is not the end of the effects of indoctrination by this mental God virus. The virus must also protect itself from the host. An infected host cannot detect contradictions within his/her own beliefs. Reason and logic are meaningless to such an individual as his/her beliefs become self-evident to him/her.

    “The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this. For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions.”  -Albert Einstein, letter to Gutkind, Jan. 3, 1954

    As I continue reading this book, the resemblance of religion to a virus, or a parasite, seemed very apt. It is easy to see how religions worldwide perpetuate their grip on societies through the indoctrination of young children whose minds have not matured sufficiently to see the fallacies to which they are exposed. The virus scenario as described involves infection, protection of itself through antibodies, perpetuation through proselytizing.  A virus? If computers can get them, why not our minds?

  • National Day of Reason

    This Thursday May the 5th,  let’s celebrate the National Day of Reason.

    http://www.nationaldayofreason.org/index.php

    The goal of this effort is to celebrate reason—a concept all Americans can support—and to raise public awareness about the persistent threat to religious liberty posed by government intrusion into the private sphere of worship.

    The Day of Reason exists to provide a positive, useful, constitutional alternative to the exclusionary National Day of Prayer.

    national day of reason

  • Easter Eggs and Rabbits

    For Christianity, Easter is all about the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. However, what if none of it took place, what if Jesus never existed at all?

    Christianity has sought to substantiate the existence of Jesus from the second or third century C.E. until the present time. Through forgeries and lies and improper translations the effort began with Church priests from the second or third century, who, desiring a messiah, instead of a heavenly Jesus, decided to invent one. Up until that time he was thought merely a heavenly figure with no connection to our plane of existence. Such a being, having no history, needed history, and so history was manufactured.

    Even now it is plain to see: there are no records of the existence of Jesus outside a book of ancient scripture. No historic record exists of Jesus even with writers who plainly took notice of everything else; except this miraculous being who could walk on water, cure disease, and feed crowds from a  basket way too small to hold enough food. No mention of this God become man, who plainly stated it, performed miracles, was resurrected, along with multiple corpses from nearby graves or not depending on the account read, who ascended to heaven on a cloud, but promised to return within the lifetimes of those present at his sermons.

    Dionysus, Osiris, Horus, Tammuz and other Gods that preceded Jesus were obvious models from which the deity Jesus was drawn. All were born of a virgin. Each are members of the life-death-rebirth club. There is just as much evidence supporting the existence of any of them. (Zilch).

    Some say, well, prove George Washington existed. There are numerous references to George Washington being real, from what others wrote, to what the man himself wrote. Jesus wrote nothing, put nothing in writing, and is only the subject of 4 different books, by anonymous writers, in the bible, and no where else .

    Scholars believe the name Easter is derived from Oestar, Ostera or Eostre a goddess of spring and renewal ,a fertility goddess, for whom a spring festival was held annually. It is from this pagan festival that some of our Easter customs have come. The egg may be the “oldest and most universal symbol of rebirth and new life.

    Even before the birth of Christ, Egyptians and Persians dyed eggs in bright colors and gave them to friends as a symbol of renewed life.

    There are absolutely no verses, anywhere in the Bible, that authorize or endorse the keeping of Easter celebration! The Bible says nothing about Lent, eggs and egg hunts, or baskets of candy.

    Easter eggs and rabbits? Both symbols of renewal, and fertility. Both parts of festivals existing before Jesus was a thought in someone’s head.

  • Darwin Day

    The evidence is in and Evolution is a fact. February 12th is coming up and we have good reason to celebrate this great man’s birthdate.

    Darwin

    Despite the naysayers, the creationists, who would rather believe the myth than face the facts, evolution has withstood the test of time and remains the simplest most logical explanation of how life arose on this planet.