The codes of conduct of religions and the Mafia

A local Lay preacher has acknowledged that he was wrong to equate the word 'church' with a building when the context clearly associated it with a congregation of people assembled for the purpose of joint worship. In the New Testament, the 'Church' never referred to as a place of worship.

Over time, the assembled worthies became wrapped in the tradition, myth and liturgy of a religion which now controls many aspects of life, usually, under an umbrella protocol that those not 'in' are therefore, 'out' and labelled heretic. Order is maintained by the fear fuelled suggestion of eternal punishment in the life after death.

This 'protocol' reminds me of a similar arrangement to be found in a Mafia family.

Benefit/ Responsibilities	CHURCH	MAFIA
Security/Protection	Love of God in life. Heaven after death	Protection from Authority and prosecution. Family looked after post mortem
Respect for the institution.	Blasphemy. Punishable by imprisonment, death or disestablishment.	Omerta. Punishable by death
Justice	Excommunication. Alienation Death. Stoning, crucifixion	Withdrawal of protection. Death. Confirmation Communion (Body not found)
Leaving	Apostasy. Death	Coffin

Mario Puzo, the author of the Godfather helpfully tells us that the Mafia use the euphemisms 'confirmation' and 'communion' to describe executions where the body is found or not.

The similarity in the codes of conduct is revealing; they rely on the primal instinct of fear to maintain order.

It is likely that tens of thousands of people have died at the hands of Mafia 'soldiers' but this pales into insignificance compared with the millions killed as a result of religious strife.

People should unshackle themselves from the yoke of Religious lies and intolerance, take all organised religions to 'communion', and embrace the honesty of secularism engaging with the innate spirituality that touches the heart of all humans.

Open up the synagogues, mosques and churches and free the congregations to do good by dispensing love, supporting the needy and caring for those less fortunate than us. Always remember the Golden Rule, to do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

Watch my video at:   https://youtu.be/l3NT---Bx5g