If politics show us one phenomenon of human nature that seems paradoxical or irrational, it’s that human beings almost always work contrary to their well-being—war is a primary example. Very seldom do our individual efforts attain overall well-being for us. History shows us that collectively, we fare no better. In other words, happiness is extremely difficult to achieve and maintain for individuals and societies.
When we look at this phenomenon through the spectacles of our health most human beings do little or nothing to maintain good health. The average lifestyle of most people, for example, might include cigarette smoking and some form of substance abuse. Looking at human nutrition, the nutrition of human beings is inadequate with too much reliance on animal protein. Such a diet destroys one’s health over time. As human beings grow and age instead of exercising to keep up the normal strength of their muscles (muscles don’t age) they exercise less and eat more.
At one time, the U.S. didn’t have adequate sources of potable water for its population which contributed greatly to water born diseases. It also lacked sewerage treatment facilities. Even today potable water is not what it could be nor is the quality of air in major metropolitan areas healthy. The list goes on of such counterproductive examples which do not lead to optimal health outcomes. Even medicine works contrary to human health. There are some 250,000 physician caused deaths a year in the U.S. This is like having almost two Boeing 747s crashing everyday!
Public education, K thru 12, teaches obedience to superiors and unquestioned obedience to certain doctrines. This is not education but a form of brainwashing. Resistance to critical thinking seems to be what youth learn. The last thing the educational institution wants is for students to learn how to engage with ideas which require critical thinking skills which involve the testing of judgments and caution in reasoning to conclusions. Because of this we are taught to repeat the mistakes of history. In fact, the only thing history teaches us is that we never learn from it.
When it comes to religion hypocrisy reigns supreme. In no other human institution is hypocrisy expected as much as in religion. Those who claim to be religious are more than likely no better than the people they look down upon—most are worse. Ministers support doctrines inimical to compassion and love of all beings while pretending otherwise. Religion ends up supporting the harmful contradictions inherent within the state; demanding of its flock obedience to the state and to god.
If true religion demands that we look within for the absolute symbolized by a statue of the Buddha in seated meditation, popular religion instructs their mindless flock to look to the sky. This is where the redeemer will appear, riding on a cloud to save humanity from the madness which it created out of its own stupidity, hatred, and greed (the Three Poisons).
That human beings feel the need to believe in a god points to their contrary nature. The whole notion of a god as an eternal creator who has complete power over his creations is quite an absurd idea when you think about it as the Buddha did. This is from the Bhuridatta Jataka.
He who has eyes can see the sickening sight
Why does not God set his creatures right?
If his wide power no limit can restrain,
Why is his hand so rarely spread to bless?
Why are his creatures all condemned to pain?
Why does he not to all give happiness?
Why do fraud, lies, and ignorance prevail?
Why triumphs falsehood — truth and justice fail?
I count your God one among the unjust , who made a world in which to shelter wrong.
As we can see, god is man’s contradictory and irrational nature deified. Man certainly is his own god if only he knew it who can give to all beings happiness—but he refuses. He prefers to destroy himself.
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