Foreword

Authoritarian religion is one of the greatest dangers facing humankind in our world today. Whether that authoritarianism be Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist makes no difference. In each case, an elite group claims absolute authority on the basis of a text or a mystical revelation, then seeks to impose that authority on others as the only way to achieve personal and collective salvation. In this way, imperfect humans will be rendered more perfect until the day comes when a heaven on earth is realized. Yet no matter how often we observe such fantasies inflict enormous human suffering, our appetite for more seems undiminished. This is curious. Even intelligent and educated people remain vulnerable to the ex cathedra promises of messiahs. It is as though a core part of ourselves has never really grown up. Rather than take responsibility for our own lives, we willingly hand it over to someone else who claims to have direct access to God or the Absolute.

Stephen Batchelor