Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.

Charles Darwin

This succinct statement defines the basis of many of the problems that mankind faces today, whether it be government, economics, education or the root of all problems, religion. The human tendency to “know I am right” is the parochial parasite on the human family.

By understanding how religion corrupts all phases of our existence, we have the opportunity to become religious without being orthodox and corruptive.

How does the unknown have such a paralyzing effect upon the knowable? By its very nature of being unknown. Efforts to explain the unknowable by religion has had the tendency to create mindless individuals. If those mindless individuals are applying the same deductive principles to everyday problems, the confidence that they exhibit concerning solutions to problems (because they are directed by a higher power), begets destructive policies that are based on false knowledge.

An open mind is a window into heaven , whether this heaven be figurative or factual.

Religion is like quantum mechanics, if you think you understand it, you don’t (thanks, Richard Feynman). Mankind has practiced religion long before he organized the systems and societies that make up our civilizations of today. The evolutionary man needed some method of explaining the scary unknown and whether this solution came about through a god gene genetic mutation or some early Moses seeing a burning bush is a question yet unresolved. In either case, the unknowable became knowable to those willing to accept fiction as fact. Don’t confuse this statement with the supposition that there is no god; we just have no way to prove if there is, or is not, a god. Accepting theologians’ explanations for knowing is only effective if you are not willing to think for yourself, or, are willing to follow a vagrant herd.

This mind-set has invaded all phases of human decision-making from president to prophet, believer to atheist, the know-it-alls to the know-nothings. The danger lies in the decision-making process when surety becomes bigotry, or even more dangerous, idolatry. Those that worship power in government, moneyocracy in business, uniformity in education and orthodoxy in religion, inflicts humanity with an ignorance that destroys understanding and creates injustice.