Is religion the root of all evil?
Religion, atheist authors argue in a spate of recent books, is
Alan Jacobs
The Wall Street Journal
Religion, atheist authors argue in a spate of recent books, is “a social evil‚” the root cause of terrorism, hatred, and war. But this premise is based on a surprisingly simplistic reading of why extremists such as Osama bin Laden do what they do. Faith can indeed be powerful, yet it does not fundamentally alter human nature. When people claim to be acting out of religious conviction, they usually have motives for which faith merely provides a convenient rationale. Bin Laden, for example, claims to be following the dictates of the Koran in his campaign to kill all infidels. Yet he has made it clear that his rage originates primarily in ethnic humiliation, not religious conviction. If you took away bin Laden’s religion, would he be a peaceful, warmhearted man? Atheist authors such as Richard Dawkins appear to think so, with Dawkins saying that if we just rid people of their religious beliefs, we would have “paradise on Earth.” This, obviously, is “wishful thinking of the silliest kind.” Religion may not rid mankind of prejudice, envy, and other dark impulses, but neither does it cause them.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
8 movie musicals that prove the screen can share the stage
The Week Recommends The singing and dancing, bigger than life itself
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published