Religiously Motivated Violence

I'm sure you had your fill of the news lately, and your fill of the opinion of the events in Orlando by everyone and their brother. When I see the usual social media response to tragedy by the use of memes and heartfelt posts, mostly by christians, I avoid commenting or responding in any way. I do not make any public statements myself. Because of religious fundamentalism, I don't have the world's permission to be open and authentic and feel secure.  Plus, personally, those types social media sermons always feel a little self serving. They are designed to either make the poster feel good about themselves or to try to convince the general public that the poster is one of the good guys. Not like those other people who don't know how to "hate the sin and love the sinner." But, as others have said, no one's thoughts, prayers, or lengthy treatises are going to help anyone. My own feelings of sorrow and my opinion of these events won't change anything.

Why? Because certain books written by mere mortals are still revered as being of divine origin. Because too many people still believe in supernatural beings with power to influence events and grant wishes. Because too many people are burdened with unnecessary guilt for breaking the irrational rules of invisible despots and fear of divine justice meted out through eternal torture.  Because too many people still believe that invisible supernatural beings can give their followers messages through their holy books or visions, dreams, signs, and portents. Because too many  people subscribe to the gruesome, barbaric, violent, and inhumane concept of blood sacrifice as necessary for atonement of sins and as a means of reconciliation with their supreme master. 

Why are people surprised and shocked at religiously motivated violence? Religion is where these ideas were born, out of a misunderstanding of how the natural world works and the percieved need to appease gods who supposedly make all the rules and who can give or take life on a whim. If someone actually believes that his/her god needs appeasing, they are potentially capable of any number of horrific acts. What is surprising to me is that it doesn't happen more often. I would like to think it is because deep down inside most people can't really swallow all the claims of their holy books and their preachers.