Solid Block of Ise

I’m going to state this very flatly: I don’t like religion. In my opinion organized religion is the biggest hinder to humanity turning into something great. I completely agree with what Marx supposedly said, that religion is the opiate of the people. Religion wraps your brain in stupidity, and you start believing in absurd tales designed to inhibit you.

So, it’s great reading about Markus Anhage in one of the major newspapers. Markus grew up in a christian family, brought up with christian values and the belief in god was as natural as anything else in his life. When he was 12 something happened, and he became a deep believer. He would get up an hour earlier than the rest of the family to pray, and he would speak in tongues when he took the dog for a walk. In school, he would get bullied for wearing shirts proclaiming “Jesus is lord” and such, but this only strengthened his faith - after all, the bible told him that this would be expected from people who didn’t have the true faith.

But in 1997 the first doubts started to appear. How could god be such a great god if he let all the war and suffering happen on this planet which he supposedly created? This was the seed, and during the years following he took greater and greater distance to religion. Two years ago his son Hugo was born, and he was born with a flaw in his heart. He needed a pacemaker to survive. This cemented Markus doubt in religion - why would god let a child be born with such a thing?

Markus comments this as (translated by me):

Previously I believed in the healing power of God, that he could correct all things. I don’t believe this any more. Sometimes you hear about people claiming God helped them find an apple. Alright, there’s a God who helps people find apples, but he doesn’t stop people from dying in cancer or preventing children from being born with heart-problems. It doesn’t make sense.

One year ago he completely left the church behind. He describes it as a gigantic relief, to finally be himself rather than leaving every decision in the hands of a non-existent god. He says it’s physically easier to walk, without the burden of being righteous and correct. He now runs among other things a site for former christians who have left their faith behind, and who need help and support in their new life.

Congratulations, Markus. You’ve entered a much better and larger world.

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