Weird and Religious
In ancient Rome, priests known as augurs interpreted the will of the gods by watching birds. The direction of flight, their calls, and even how chickens ate grain could influence state decisions such as whether to go to war.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
1839 to 1842, Qing China. The Taiping movement, led by Hong Xiuquan who claimed a Christian inspired divine mission, began rebellion that became a massive war. Followers justified violence as establishing a heavenly kingdom, destroying demons, and carrying out God’s will on earth.
Fact
In Christianity, charity is encouraged, and Christianity teaches giving to those in need as a practical expression of love and faith.
Sacred slaughter
The phrase "sacred slaughter" perfectly captures the reality of religious violence. Violence does not merely receive permission. It is blessed. Blood becomes holy and death becomes meaningful. This transformation is psychologically powerful and socially devastating. It allows ordinary people to commit atrocities while believing they serve righteousness.
Quote of the day
“The Church says the earth is flat, but I know that it is round.” Galileo Galilei, reflecting conflict with religious authority.
Ask the right question
After Noah's flood, how did animals unique to isolated regions, such as kangaroos in Australia or lemurs in Madagascar, return to those places?
Religious Crooks
Keith Raniere led NXIVM, a group with spiritual and self development framing, and was convicted of sex trafficking and related crimes after evidence showed women were coerced into sexual relationships under his authority.
For more information, google the name.
Almost all of the crooks appearing in this section have their own wikipedia page.Every country in the world has its fair share of spiritual crooks.
Today we took a look at yet another religious crook but there are hundreds of thousands of them. You could spend a lifetime researching the topic.