A Better Good Book
Here’s an open challenge to any religious people lurking out there: Put away your holy book for 3 months and read Aesop’s fables instead. I contend that you’ll find the fables to be just as useful as, if not superior to, your present text.
Aesop’s fables are morally instructive: They illustrate the foolishness of negative behaviors such as greed and false pride, while promoting honesty and a sense of fair play.
Aesop’s fables are family friendly: They do not contain genocide, infanticide, or rape.
Aesop’s fables are civilized: They do not promote animal sacrifice or slavery.
Aesop’s fables are inclusive: They are not racist, misogynistic, or homophobic.
Aesop’s fables are practical: They do not list any silly rules about what we must wear or eat.
Aesop’s fables are easy to understand: They often conclude with a clearly stated moral, so people are unlikely to argue over different interpretations.
I could go on, but I think you get the idea. So what do you say? Are you willing to take the Aesop challenge?
2 Comments:
HEAR, HEAR! I have often used this argument with xtians who refuse to believe that moral teachings are available nowhere else but a religious text.
Aesop was a good sort--he didn't require an army of priestly interpreters; the moral of the story is nicely laid out at the end.
The alternative, of course, is to throw ALL these books away and use common sense as a moral guide. Preposterous, I know.
Thanks for the comment, headbang8. I work with a fundie and a muslim, and the only thing they can agree on is that I have no morals. Sheesh!
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