I have heard people musing that if we can have a 'Bad Science Column', why can't we have one for Bad Religion? Generally, this comment is followed by much ah-hem-ing and something about absolutes and left brain versus right brain. But seriously, do you think that there is such a thing as Bad Religion? If so, why can we not define it? I was at an 'Affirming Liberalism' conference on Saturday, when Peter Vardy did just that. I guess it is taken from this book:
Now, he wasn't saying that one religion was better than another, eg Christianity is better than Islam, he graphically showed us pictures of massacres in many religions, his point was that for all religions there can be good or bad manifestations. So here is his list, Good Religion has:
1. Humility. It will always accept the possibility of error and listen to alternative views.
2. Justice. Good religion always promotes justice for all.
3. Science. Good religion is not afraid of science, both religion and science seek truth.
4. Freedom. Coercion is always wrong, indoctrination is wrong, threats are wrong.
5. Causes us to travel on a journey towards being fully human. So we increasingly stand up for compassion and forgiveness, for righteousness, so we increasingly become more at peace with ourselves and others.Personally, I was very impressed with this list, and I feel it can apply to other world views such as secular humanism. What do you think?