Revolts of the Righteous
Burma's Buddhist monks have left their monasteries and taken to the streets, leading thousands of Burmese in protest against the ruling military junta. Their stance highlights a broader phenomenon: the role of religious leaders and movements in opposing despotic regimes.
It has become fashionable in certain smart circles to regard atheism as a sign of superior education, of a more highly evolved civilization, of enlightenment. Recent bestsellers suggest that religious faith is really a sign of backwardness, the mark of primitives stuck in the dark ages who are yet to catch up with scientific reason. Religion, we are told, is responsible for violence, oppression, poverty, and many other ills.
It has become fashionable in certain smart circles to regard atheism as a sign of superior education, of a more highly evolved civilization, of enlightenment. Recent bestsellers suggest that religious faith is really a sign of backwardness, the mark of primitives stuck in the dark ages who are yet to catch up with scientific reason. Religion, we are told, is responsible for violence, oppression, poverty, and many other ills.