Dangerous Thought # 10 – “God Destroys Equality” – How Belief in God Creates Obedience to Unaccountable Authorities

God destroys the possibility of equality because the belief in a god requires authority figures to speak on his behalf.

The inequality happens when a human interpreter claims there are certain behaviors God wants from humans.

This ‘prophet’ or priest claims legitimate insights and their musings become a set
of taboos and commands from the God.

Because these prophets or messengers speak on God’s behalf, the claims are authoritarian; lists of commandments, for example. No votes are allowed on whether the commands are good or whether they make sense.

The messenger thereby becomes an unaccountable Authority the moment his claims are allowed to dominate.

God beliefs create inequality because the deity’s messengers oversee and police what constitutes proper obedience.

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“Then burn the entire ram on the altar…a burnt offering…a pleasing aroma…to the LORD by fire.”
(Exodus 29:18)

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Does God really desire humans to provide Him with the aroma of burning ram flesh? Who knows? It doesn’t matter what the congregation thinks.
Only the self-appointed messenger or the manifestation of its hierarchy, dares claim the authoritative answer. Further, these Authorities are never required to provide evidence of their claims, why their claims are true or why they contradict from time to time.

There is also no way to separate what the God wants from what the unaccountable interpreters want for themselves.

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“Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce..”
(Proverbs 3:9)

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Convenient for the Authority. Right?

Even if equality were an ostensible command of the God, the messenger is still the Authority over other claims, many of which favor him – so equality remains impossible.

Meanwhile, this human authority figure and messenger of God is the judge and jury regarding adherence to the claims or laws.

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“You shall purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you…also the children..You may treat them as your property…” – Yahweh (Leviticus 25:44-46)

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Lack of obedience to God requires either punishment or forgiveness. Since no real God ever shows up to do this publicly, the Authority figure assumes the role of God’s intermediary (whether a real God exists or not) and acts on his behalf.

How is equality possible in any culture where absolute knowledge about God is claimed by certain Authorities? Theocracy is a natural dictatorship. Power and claims about God go together.

Equality is impossible with God.
It is no wonder that societies without religion tend to be more egalitarian.

Atheist Max – December 1, 2013