There was a time where questioning the authority of the Church or any other religious hierarchy meant death but with increased literacy, declining mortality, advances in science and technology the masses have been given a certain degree of control concerning their right to speak up. In addition for the first time since the inception of the Church, church doctrine, literature, and dogma can be researched within seconds. The actual structure and function of the church can be viewed easily yet most religious people don’t take the time. They take the word of their religious leader of their elders and promote their views as law. A carefully costumed religious figure, with a passionate voice and experience studying the religion does not equal greatness or superiority. If we expect others to be judged by their acts why do we continue to abide by the institutions that commit such horrible ones? If you believe in Christianity and swear by the Bible as the ultimate authority why wouldn't you study the history of its compilation? How many “true believers” really know the history behind the religion they adhere to outside of what is being taught by their particular spiritual leader? If you attend college, one professor does not teach all of your courses. Regardless of your degree you are required to fulfill a combination of course requirements taught by various teachers of different philosophies in part to encourage independent thinking and reasoning. The quickest way to fail a course is to write a paper regurgitating what the professor said. If we believe that in higher education, independent sources, thoughts, and interpretations are encouraged and required to succeed why are they suppressed within our religious institutions? Why are the obvious contradictions in the Bible, Torah, and Koran not questioned openly and explored within the institutions that claim them as fact? If we live in a world ruled by science, technology, logic and reason, why are they ignored within the institutions claiming to hold the answers to life?
Nina Davis
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