When Religion Becomes Lethal: Lessons from Norway

The horrific events in Norway this past weekend provide yet another powerful teachable moment in the ongoing and increasingly dangerous saga of religion becoming lethal. The murderous rampage by Anders Behring Breivik brings several important lessons more clearly into view.

First, religion is an extraordinarily powerful and pervasive force in human society. Throughout history, people within various religions have been motivated to their highest and noblest best actions. At the same time, some of the worst things human beings have done to one another have been done in the name of or justified by religion. Religion is a powerful force inspiring constructive and destructive behavior among believers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-kimball/when-religion-becomes-let_b_912537.html

Some of the worst things human beings have ever done indeed been done in the name of or justified by religion. But it is also true that so many more things have been done by atheists and very often in the name of atheism.

I was in Holland a while ago and saw the same racist thing going on. While religious language was used, religion had nothing r do with it.

While he used religious language, religion had nothing to do with it.

Unless you're going to say that Christians are always good people, and anyone bad is a non-Christian.

You don't get to have your cake and eat it too.

Good connections notwithstanding.

And no matter what, these are infested with right wingers, who are the ones that run the show. No one who isn't speaks out and up against this trend. Maybe somewhere, but it's an exception.

Or they keep silent because they agree with American churches (the majority of which are right wing).

who commits an anti-social crime.