Random Ra Material Questions

[Diana]

Christopher Hitchens and Penn & Teller have one thing in common: their absolute hatred of all religion, and their disdain for the stupidity and naivete of those who believe anything other than the materialist mythology we're fed by society.  They see themselves as knights in shining armor, saving mankind from a social disease (religion) that somehow got held over from the dark ages and is continuing to poison humankind.  You could not have found a more biased source.

I must come to the defense a bit for Christopher Hitchens. While there are many who show hatred and poke fun in very mean ways at religions (such as Bill Moyer), Hitchens, while speaking his truth, was always fair. He did not stoop to making fun of religion so much as point out the reasons why it does not serve humankind and why it is absurd. He also spent 2 years traveling the country and inviting any religious persons to his debates, which were always conducted fairly.

And, we are fed religion more than materialist "mythology." We have to be force-fed religion because it makes no sense whatsoever and it keeps the masses under control with fear (in my opinion). If one is of a scientific bent, and thinks for themselves, and requires evidence or direct experience rather than "taking things on faith" or someone else's word or experience, then what is wrong with looking at the facts? Even a cursory look into the bible, for instance (I have read the whole book), reveals endless atrocities and contradictions. Just read the ten commandments (specifically, thou shalt not kill), and then read the couple of pages after that qualifying when it is mandatory to kill (such as if a son talks back to his parents, he must be stoned to death).

I feel Hitchen's did a service to humankind by attempting to get people to wake up and think for themselves. He wasn't converting anyone as religious people do by proselytizing to those who are down and bribing with food and shelter and a heavenly afterlife. He wasn't asking anyone to follow him. And he didn't threaten that if someone didn't agree with him they would burn in hell forever or some other nonsense. 

In the matter of Mother Teresa, Hitchens was a political writer who traveled the world and reported on what he found.