All religions basically utilize this model
I'm sorry but this is an incredibly western take on religion. And this is coming from someone raised as a Catholic. Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism all generally teach a tolerance for other's beliefs, and rarely use tools like indoctrination. They make up about 1.5 Billion practitioners worldwide, so they aren't a rounding error either.
When I was a homeless trans woman (that's white fwiw), I would go to Gurdwara once a week for Langar (communal meal). I was always treated with kindness, dignity and acceptance. The only thing that was asked of me is that I use one of the (provided) scarves to loosely cover my hair. Considering Sikh men wear Turbans though, asking that of me didn't seem at all like it was rooted in deep-seated misogynistic beliefs. No one was attempting to convert me either.
It is against Sikh beliefs to allow anyone to go hungry, or to punish a "crime" committed because of hunger (eg. shoplifting food).
You just cannot compare that to the widespread bloody harm that christianity has wreaked on the world.
Edit: And I guess expecting me to adhere to the expectations of women that attend Gurdwara, was an act of acceptance in and of itself.
First, I am sorry for the hardship you went thru and I am so glad you experienced kindness during that time.
Please note that my perspective and criticism of religion is not solely based on the Abrahamic faiths. If you recall there’s a genocide and conflict based on religion in Myanmar as well, and per my understanding there are a lot of militant Buddhists who are anti-Muslim. India, the birth place of Buddhism, is known for entrenched discrimination based on class and religion.
I acknowledge that there are lots of religious people who do good. The church in my area has been excellent at helping both feed and find permanent housing for local homeless people. However, religion as an institution is untrustworthy, misguided and authoritarian.
Regarding someone’s reply on spirituality: I am not a proponent of that either because I am not sure what to make of it. It all comes across as too silly to me (I’ve seen people try to heal with crystals powered by the moon, and if such things had healing power we’d know by now), but that’s just my opinion 🤷♀️
I am not judging individuals, what people do in their private lives is their business. They shouldn’t bring religion or spirituality into policy making for other groups of people who have other beliefs.
Yes and tribalism in general too.
That's dogma, it's why I hate religon and advocate for spirituality because spirituality of freely tinkerable for the individual and the individual isn't forced to participate in dogma to participate in spirituality
Also biting itself should be included in the list
Please, does someone have a high resolution version of this? I would like to make it a poster in my classroom.
Edit: I work at a private, Catholic high school.
