Dr. Michael J. O’Connell recently commented that he has always been amazed at the extreme emotions displayed by those fervent believers in Islam. The prayer mats, facingMecca, the pilgrimages, and the self flagellation. It all made me somehow skeptical of such absolute faith, too much outpouring of theatrics for my taste and comfort level. What is such sacrificial nuttiness covering up?
A couple of weeks ago brought home brought home the stark reality that many Christians are not any less emotional and demonstrative. Two former popes (undoubtedly popes who looked the other way while their priests, cardinals and bishops sexually abused tens of thousands of children) were committed to sainthood. Hoards of believers in the Vatican were crying hysterically (with joy?), unable to form words, giddy to the point of appearing insanely idiotic. I am now a bit smarter. Not only are a minority of Muslims over the top, so are Christians. How similar these two religions are, and now I realize how similar their most devoted followers.
When will religious zealots get a life? Sure, religious freedoms protect such ghastly (I suspect hugely exaggerated) outward displays; have at it, so long as it doesn't hurt others. And freedom of speech allows me to observe how much time is wasted in such infantile, absurd and aberrant behavior.
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