Through the ages religion has always been a force for both good and evil in the world. The truly religious are loud! They make demands that others who do not believe as they do conform or face persecution in some way. Often the persecution is violent and deadly.
Religion to the truly religious is black and white. There is good and there is evil. There is heaven and there is hell. The more religious one is, the more there is a certainty of black or white. There is not much logical about religion. If you believe, it is reality. If you don't, it is myth.
An atheist does not believe in a God. An agnostic says prove God exists and I will believe. If you could prove it to an atheist, he would also believe. If you could prove it, everyone would believe!
Is it a fair statement to say that no one is born believing in a God? Being born into a Hindu family usually means living life as a Hindu. Be born into a Muslim family and you become a Muslim. Convert a Muslim to a Christian who marries a Christian, and their children grow up Christian. Convert a Christian to a Jew who marries a Christian, and they must decide whether to raise their children in the Jewish or Christian faith. If born an atheist, and so on. With the child as an open slate, how can one know which religion is the right one to pick? If none or the wrong one is picked, will damnation be the end result? All of them think they are right!
In a conflict everyone thinks they are right! The winner declares himself to be in the right and declares the loser to be wrong! (But the loser, if alive, still thinks he is right!) Is it survival of the fittest! Very Darwinian!
Most in this world do not want to see grey. Grey is confusing! It puts one at risk, requiring thought and consideration of options. Most would rather have a default to the certainty of black or white. Most everyone likes to be lead by leaders who show certainty in their rightness. Nuance is not comfortable. A sense of certainty removes the uncomfortable feeling of risk.
If the great majority of humankind saw shades of grey in their views of the world, would they follow the golden rule. And if so, would it be a world of caring, compromise, and no violence against each other. Is that a fantasy impossible to accomplish?
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