3.14.2005

Philip Pullman on religion

Today I came upon www.philip-pullman.com.
Wonderful website. Amazing writer, and he had this to say about religion:

"Religion

Some of the articles and talks I've written are to do with the subject of religion, which I think is a very interesting one. The religious impulse – which includes the sense of awe and mystery we feel when we look at the universe, the urge to find a meaning and a purpose in our lives, our sense of moral kinship with other human beings – is part of being human, and I value it. I'd be a damn fool not to.


But organised religion is quite another thing. The trouble is that all too often in human history, churches and priesthoods have set themselves up to rule people's lives in the name of some invisible god (and they're all invisible, because they don't exist) – and done terrible damage. In the name of their god, they have burned, hanged, tortured, maimed, robbed, violated, and enslaved millions of their fellow-creatures, and done so with the happy conviction that they were doing the will of God, and they would go to Heaven for it.


That is the religion I hate, and I'm happy to be known as its enemy."

-And that really sums up what I think and why I don't go to church anymore. I'm happy that Mr. Pullman can explain it so well and I'm impressed because I don't often find people who understand the problem.
Carrie

No comments: