Response 4/13

        In an excerpt from the "Cultural Resistance Reader" by Antonion Gramsci, the author critiques the notion of regarding faith and spirituality as things that someone can be and still claim common sense. He discusses the inherent flaw in the systems of religion, making a point on how the similarities in a population's moral doctrine should not be categorized as "religion" but rather just a faction of people who share an ideology. Removing the secular aspects of religion would make it no different than the basic foundation of worldly politics; opposing ideals struggling to maintain and achieve greater numbers. Drawing conclusions from these themes, it seems reasonable to me a secular version of any religion would just be different moral factions attempting to promote their beliefs. Most major conflict that occurs in the world today, whether subtly or direct, has to due with the effects ultra religious dogma has had on populations. Issues of morality and retaining the light skinned, rich, and heterosexual population that many countries glamorize so highly seems like a direct effect of the conservatism that once was (and still is) the dominating voice of the central government. Once we are thoroughly able to separate religious beliefs and keep our political conflict on a purely secular basis, unity in diversity of faith and race will find a much clearer path to success.