Religion: Fantasy vs Reality

Angkor Wat

Notes:

• Picture - a blindfolded warrior or a battle scene where everyone is blindfolded (or VR goggles);
• Perfect idea from Chat-GPT:

In the midst of a vast, open field, four gallant knights in shining armour stand poised for battle. Each knight is blindfolded, their helmets securely fastened to obscure their vision. The sun hangs low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow on the scene.

The knights hold their swords and shields at the ready, their body language exuding a sense of determination and courage. They rely solely on their instincts and training as they anticipate the clash of blades and the rush of their opponents. 


Spectators encircle the field, their hushed whispers filling the air with anticipation. The blindfolded knights symbolize the uncertainty and unpredictability of battle, where victory depends on skill, intuition, and unwavering bravery.
VR goggles are also good for the same idea.
pyramids in the background
a field of slaughtered innocents
$20 US/month to render this into graphics (Chat GPT-4 Enterprise)


• A huge subject requires organization, perhaps a mind map - many, many hours;
• Needs to be broken up into at least 3 or 4 essays;
• "Scorched Earth" in the name of God;
• "Sacrifice" as a core concept in Religion;
• Modern versions of the "Sacrifice" myth;
• Crippling misdirection of resources;
• Uniquely destructive "Religions of the Book";
• Shifting perspective: "They" are "us". We are part of the history of humans on this planet;
• Human nature has not changed;
• Remarkably, we seem to be less ready to accept the "total destruction" idea - genocide;
• Religious motivation is fading, but it is evident in the 20th century.
• Ironically, the modern idea of a "truce" through tolerance represents a shift backwards to more tolerant times, but our religions are inherently intolerant;
• Link to "Ancient Civilizations" - Provide a reference list. Vast online resources. Some are better than others. Use links to the video to make follow-up painless.
• The core idea is pointless effort and sacrifice to the Gods is justified. This logic doesn't strictly need a God in the picture. It has modern God-free versions. This can be pulled apart into:
• The idea that sacrifice is needed - the modern idea that riches are deserved by the fact that the rich "worked hard" for them;
• The idea that sacrifice is magically effective;
• The idea that "more" is always better. Human sacrifice;
• The idea that failure to sacrifice is behind disasters (floods, defeat in battle);
• The poor are poor because they don't work hard enough;
• Prosperity gospel - send lots of money to the preacher - more the better;
• Mention factors behind the fall of civilizations (all different);
• Brutality was common, accepted and celebrated. Until the rise of Christianity and Islam, brutality was not justified on religious grounds.
• Endless and totally pointless wars in Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire until (?) were religious. This may have started with Justinian.
• A common factor is the belief that good fortune depends on "honouring" or worshipping the Gods.
• Priesthood;
• Physical labour;
• Resources;
• Until Christianity and Islam, religion was rarely an explicit cause of warfare but a rationalization of brutal conquest (Americas), Crusades,
• Religion is rarely the main reason, but it weakens empires;
• Christianity rationalized the destruction of ancient civilizations - sometimes so complete that all trace is gone;
• Elevating the "king" to godhood makes the king accountable for misfortune;