Those of you who are familiar with me, my work, my postings and ideas will recognize the theme here. This list is by no means comprehensive or exhaustive. Overall, my position is that “God” and religion are mostly useful inventions of man that have outlived their purpose and should be relegated to the boneyard of once useful beliefs and concepts.
10 Reasons for inventing God
- Mind Control – it makes it easier to control people by inventing a higher authority who is perfect and beyond questioning.
- Genocide – justification of the motivations of those in power through violence, land grab, rape, and pillage are a good thing if God says so.
- Patrimony – control the structure of power and keep females in their place.
- Scare the kids – a boogie man is a useful parenting tool.
- Eliminate the competition – our people are entitled to your resources. Because God said so. Either recently, or through convenient prophecy.
- Invent authority – God says I’m to be your leader and you must do what he told me to tell you to do.
- Justify poverty – God says your reward will be in the next life. In the meantime, do what you are told and give me money.
- Invent the next life – your life sucks for a reason and its entirely your fault if you don’t accomplish salvation by living the way you are told.
- Normalize disaster – God says you deserve that earthquake, tornado, flood, or terrorist attack. You’ve been bad and only he can help you. Here’s some of your money back if you are lucky.
- Design modification – you were born broken, and we must fix you.