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It fills me with despair that these people still. spout their nonsense on this subject, and I don't discriminate on religion; they certainly aren't exclusive to Christianity nor Judaism.
From a more encouraging perspective I believe more and more people are seeing through this indoctrination and adopting Humanist beliefs. I live in hope this will eventually lead to a more peaceful and equitable world.
No, they also explain the rise of radical Islamist views and Hindu fundamentalism.
If it just exists in someone's head, or amongst a group of like-minded cultists, it probably does little harm. The problems come when the adherents get off their shopping centre soap boxes and lead or influence governments, or street mobs, and the cults grow into mass movements. That has happened in Iran and India, on a smaller scale in Israel, and many other places, with governmental cheer-leaders in the USA (at least under Trump), Brazil and even some states in Europe.
I hope you are right about the growth of humanist beliefs. I think there has been a move in the last half century away from unquestioning religious beliefs in many parts of the world, but at the same time a hardening and growth of fundamentalism in Islam, Judaism and Christianity - and maybe the Hindu faith too.
Maybe two steps forward and one step back?
I don't know that there are any guarantees. But I prefer rational to irrational beliefs, and think we have no choice than to put our faith (though not in the sense that you would use the word) in people rather than invented supernatural beings. I want governments, pushed by public opinion, to make decisions that prevent climate catastrophe. I don't believe that chanting to some random deity is as effective as collective social and political action for the benefit of humanity and the planet. In the uncertain world of 2021 that seems to me to be the way to go. We are the most creative and destructive life form on this planet and we need to get our act together fast. No delusions. No distractions.
Like you say - "We are the most creative and destructive life form on this planet" - and in doing so you correctly note that despite occasional brilliance, something in man is defective. Apart from Christ, and the Solution that He provides (which doesn't mean chanting at all or an irrational belief in some mythical being), how does saving our environment (even if we succeed) help with our internal human problem?