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Organized Religion Essay, Research Paper

When one thinks of Organized Religion, we tend to think of places like church, synagogues, or a mosque. Organized religion plays an important role in today?s society, for most, if not all modern governments have been built by religion. In every society, religion has been at the forefront of decision making. Currently, there are three major religions that influence world politics: Christianity (the largest), Judaism (the oldest), and Islam (the fastest growing).

These religions, though separate in their views, share the same basic principals. They are all monotheistic, they all base their teaching from written documents, i.e. the bible, or the torah, and they were all founded in Africa. Yet, these religions are vastly different, One believes in the God, his son, and his Holy Spirit, one believes in Allah, while the other believes in God. Though these religions may be different, they all have the power to influence societies everyday rules, and each individuals thought.

Yet, within these religions, there are lesser known groups, or sects, that follow the same basic teachings. Within the world?s fastest growing religion, Islam, there is the Taliban. With the world?s largest religion, Christianity, there is the Ku Klux Klan. Within the world?s oldest religion, there is the Jewish Defense League. All of these groups are currently viewed as extreme, dangerous, and radical, which is rightly so.

Though these groups have their foundation in religion, they stray far beyond the path of righteousness and into the paths of hatred, destruction, and confusion. They no longer represent the religions from which they base their groups, for they take the teachings out of context.

Christianity is the largest religion in today?s world. It is defined as the religion of Christ.(Websters 110) There are many branches within its one name, such as Protestantism, Catholicism, Baptism, Mormon, Methodism, and many more. There are also radical groups that loosely base their foundations on Christianity, but veer down a totally different path. One of such groups is the white supremacy organization known as the Ku Klux Klan.

The Ku Klux Klan is a group that believes in segregation between the races. Though the Klan is not a religious sect, they are a group that heavily bases their beliefs on The Holy Bible. According to George Steiner, ?It is the book which, not only in Western humanity defines the concept of text, ?largely informs our historical and social identity.? (Steiner ix) The Klan believes that any group that ?white? person that is not with them is against them, and they are considered traitors to their cause. They believe that those who are not of the pure race are sinners, and according to the Ezekial 18:4, ?…the soul that sinneth shall die (494). The souls that they refer to are the ones who do not side with them, the whites who choose to live among the rest of society, and incorporate themselves with other races and cultures. Instead of claiming that they are racists, they state that everyone is, saying ?Somehow, we cannot hate the racist, for most of us do not know how or when we left his ranks, if we have left them at all.? (Sims xvii)

They are an organization founded and thrived by hate, which is not a teaching of the bible. . Their belief that they are the true kings of this earth can be traced to one verse in the bible to which the reference Genesis 28:14, where it states: “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth. And thou shalt spread abroad to the West, to the East, to the North, and to the South: And in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed (18) “.

The Klan continuously uses bible verses out of context and shifts them so that they agree with their ideals. There is no disguising that hate is their main agenda. Whereas the bible states ?thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself? (Bible 577), the Klan chooses to outline verses such as ?if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword.? (Bible 410).

Though Christianity continuously displays an attitude of peace, the Klan continuously preaches their messages of hatred and violence. In today?s Klan, they are trained ?not only to use firearms but also in judo and karate and how to make bombs and other explosive devices.? (Sims 17)

Another vein that separates the Klan from the rest of Christianity is that in Christianity, we are told to love everyone, including our enemies, the Klan chooses to hate and spite their ?enemies?. In The Klan by Patty Sims, a Klanmember makes states that John 8:48 says, ?ye are your father, the devil?for there is no truth within him. For he is a liar, and a father of it.? Now Christ is speaking? directly to all Jews, and if you don?t take my word for it, take the Bible?s.? (Sims 18)

Though the Klan has many followers, both male and female, it does not make their beliefs right. Though they say they are a Christian group, they do not practice the basics of Christianity, or the technical aspects. They pick and chose what they want to convey their ideals, and confuse people in the process. In short, they are spin-doctors, for they can take the very text that teaches love, peace, and kindness, and convince people that its lessons are those of hate, supremacy, and violence.

The widest spreading religion in the world is that of Islam. Islam is defined as the Muslim religion, a monotheistic religion founded by Mohammed. (Websters 294) It is a religion that is also founded on peace. It believes in one god, Allah, and that he is the way. Islam is also another religion that has many different sects an leagues around the world. The most radical that can be seen all over today?s televisions, newspapers, and magazines is the Taliban.

The Taliban is a sect of Islam that believes that a woman should not work, that she should be covered

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