The Influence of Religion
 

Why bring religion and God into our discussion about ways to prevent suppression and poverty? Well, a person’s metaphysical outlook shapes his view of the world, and of ethics, and it influences his will to action. A Buddhist, for instance, is rather laidback, while anarchistic atheists often fight the police. And what would Osama bin Laden be without religion? In other words, religion matters in discussions about ethics and politics.

Around 85 percent of the world’s population believe in some kind of higher power. The rest are agnostics or atheists, a minority. This web page is partly about resistance to multinational firms who kill and exploit poor people. Such resistance is often associated with the far Left, and the Left is associated with atheism. Not a good position if one seek support from ordinary people. That's why we like to put a little distance between us and those who read Bakunin or Engels. 

It could be said that saving people from starvation should not be associated with any worldview or political bias. It does not matter if you are a devote Catholic or a hardcore atheist. Many will argue that your responsibility to rescue those who are dying, is the same.

God may exist, or may not. Either way, each one of us probably has a moral duty to do our best to help a person when we see that he or she is starving to death or is tortured by soldiers. Should we not try to see through the fog of politics and worldviews, and just focus on that duty?

On this website we will discuss how one’s worldview influences one’s opinions about defensive political violence and humanitarian interventions. Let’s give an example: Theravada Buddhism’s rejection of violence is not primarily based on ethical considerations. Its main reason for opposing all kinds of violence is that Nirvana cannot be reached if one’s meditative peace of mind is disturbed by violence. That’s the real reason why orthodox Buddhists will not use violence against oppressive regimes. Another example: God never intervenes when humans are killed in wars and genocides. Does this mean that Christians should copy God and just watch while people are slaughtered? Some will say no, because one’s own conscience should be enough to motivate a person into helping another human being who is tormented by extreme physical pain. Others prefer to live as solitary monks, turning their backs to the world. Who are doing the right thing?

You can present your views in our discussion forum. See also the article Religious Pacifism versus Self-Defence