Summary

The text critically examines the paradox of religious wars, questioning how such conflicts can be justified under the guise of divine will, and ultimately concludes with a fictional scenario where humanity is found guilty of giving God a bad name through these wars and is sentenced to self-engineered extinction.

Abstract

The article titled "Holy Wars" delves into the irony and contradictions inherent in religious conflicts, which are often fought in the name of a deity who is said to embody love. It highlights the hypocrisy of using God as a justification for violence and the subsequent erasure of love from the equation. The author references historical events, such as the Crusades and the persecution of Jews, to illustrate the long-standing pattern of religious violence. In a satirical twist, the narrative imagines God suing humanity for tarnishing His name and committing atrocities, with the Angel Court finding humanity guilty and sentencing it to self-extinction. The piece underscores the absurdity of religious wars and the dire consequences of humanity's actions, while also making a subtle plea for compassion and understanding.

Opinions

The author, Wolfstuff, implies that religious wars are an affront to the core values of religion, particularly the principle of love.
There is a clear criticism of the historical and ongoing violence perpetrated in the name of religion, with specific mention of the Islam warriors' eradication of Buddhism in Northern India and the persistent conflicts between Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir.
The text suggests that the justification of "Believe in OUR God or else" is a flawed and destructive ideology that leads to immense suffering and loss of life.
The satirical court case against humanity serves to highlight the author's view that religious wars are not only inhumane but also irrational, as they go against the supposed teachings of a loving and compassionate deity.
The author points out the irony in the defense's argument that humans "mean well" and "know not what they are doing," which echoes Jesus' words on the cross, yet fall flat in the face of such grave actions.
The piece concludes with a grim outlook for humanity, suggesting that the self-engineered extinction is a fitting punishment for the atrocities committed under the banner of religion.

Holy Wars

God Should Sue

Religious wars give God a bad name God should sue

When Bob Dylan wrote “With God on Our Side” he brilliantly voiced the sick paradox of Religious (aka Holy) Wars.

Believe in OUR God, or else, is the first shot fired.

Never, is the second — in return.

Else, is the third.

A million deaths later (and a river of blood) the stronger of God’s two sides relishes a well-earned victory among whoever survived the slaughter. Love, the purported ground zero of all religion, is nowhere to be seen, but is reported to be lurking somewhere in the shadows making ready for an eventual comeback; for now, that WE have won, and OUR loving God helped US do that, we can start the loving again. At least MEN can start with the loving again. Women, well, God’s not a woman, is he? And Eve tempted Adam, didn’t she? She ruined the whole thing. Got us thrown out of Paradise, didn’t she? Lesser beings, women.

At the beginning of the second millennium, heartless and frothing-at-the-mouth Islam warriors cleared Northern India of Buddhism and all traces of compassion — a loving example of “Believe in OUR God or else”. A lot of sharp-edged Else to make sure.

And Hindus and Muslims are still fighting — Kashmir is a good case in point.

And then there’s the Crusades, of course. Even God lost count of the dead.

And the ongoing persecution of the Jews, Hitler’s contribution included.

And that did it for God. Fed up, He did sue.

In Angel Court: God (the Almighty) vs. Humanity (the bloodthirsty).

The Charges: (a) Giving God a Bad Name; and (b) inhumane (though very human) slaughter.

Not a single angel wanted the thankless task of representing humanity, of course, so the defense was appointed by the Angel Court (apparently by lot). And that lot fell to Raphael (who has yet to forgive the Chief Angel Judge, whom he silently, and sometimes not to silently, accused of rigging the draw).

God decided to represent himself and did. Effectively.

Twelve Angels were selected as jury. Three Angel Judges presided.

God brought the charges along with the gruesome evidence and many, many Ohs and Ahs from the gallery. The Chief Angel Judge had to bang his gavel as many times, demanding silence in the court.

Raphael, though his task was both thankless and impossible, did put up a good fight along the lines of “they are ignorant but mean well”, and “they know not what they are doing” (which brought snickers in the court, since that line had already been put to fitting and forgiving use by God Junior); still, compared to God…, well, what could he do? Lots of shaking angel heads in that courtroom. Poor Raphael.

The case went to the Angel Jury early on the third day.

The Jury, curiously, didn’t even leave the courtroom to deliberate, they just looked at each other and nodded in agreement and said, in angelic unison: “Guilty.”

“Sentencing tomorrow,” said the Chief Angel Judge and banged his gavel.

Tomorrow came, and Raphael made an impassioned plea for leniency though you could tell that this passion was more for show than heartfelt.

The Chief Angel Judge heard him out then passed humanity’s sentence:

Self-Engineered Extinction.

Now well underway.

P.S. If you like what you’ve read here and would like to contribute to the creative motion, as it were, you can do so via PayPal: here.

Wolfstuff

So, who am I? Really really. I could tell you that I was born in northern Sweden during a snow storm, and subsequently…

wolfstuff.com

Holy Wars

God Should Sue

Wolfstuff

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