Yes, it's that time of year when I get existentialist, questioning. Since I began reading at the age of 4, I've read a lot. If you read, and you breathe, it leads you to think. I know that's not popular these days, but I still do it, sillyass old-fashioned twit that I am, I think.
While I have no doubt about "life after death" and no doubt there is a Big Good that connects us when we tap into That, I have doubts about religions. The organized religions that have survived (with lots of organized money) on into these days are the ones in charge. The big 3 desert religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all command center-stage. Other religions get attention in political squabbles or as novelty press, but they hold no sway. The desert religions rule much of the Earth. And so do their laws, that date back to Hammurabi's days.
There's no question to my mind that there's something bigger and better than any of us, but I don't see That as others see It, and can't subscribe to a desert religion. Which makes for divides. Not being a Yahweh follower these days in America is starting to feel like the medieval days when you were either Christian or kindling. It's not enough to say, "Hey, that's what you believe; it's not what I believe but I'm glad you have a belief." Because Evangelism has become rampant again. Everybody's out to tell others to believe as they do or else. Oh, what a hemorrhoid. Who cares what someone else believes anyway? And the judgment- Bitty said yesterday, "These people around here will all be frying biscuits!" with such relish and righteousness.about her longed-for Judgment Day. Wow. Makes me want to stay away from her church, her friends and her.
So perhaps my doubts don't lie in any supernatural imaginary friend but in my fellow human and the imaginary friend they worship. That's what worries me, anyway. Because their imaginary friend seems to be telling them they're right.
MYSTERIOUS GARDEN
10 months ago
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8 comments:
Batty Bitty. We're not all evolving at the same rate, that's for sure. Such hate...
Next thing you know they'll be burning bitches (oops witches) again. And around and around we go. I make it a practice to not discuss religion or politics with anyone or to get my name on any list concerning either. I sometimes wonder what I could have been in a previous life that keeps me so secretive. lol.
I'm also a card carrying member of the doubters club.
I arrived at college a pretty devote Lutheran, then met some members of an on campus evangelical group. They were such nice, bright, welcoming people that I jumped right in.
But when I was not actually with those folk, I came to realize that that god was no more real or compelling to me than,say, Middle Earth (of Lord of the Rings).
To me there's few things worse than fake faith, so I left the group.
In a short period of time I got a lot of practice explaining my agnosticism. Dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses was child's play after that.
Boo- it seems to me the only reason for spirituality is to be uplifting, and how can hate be uplifting?
Lawless- Convenient how those burned and tortured to death "witches" were almost all women.
Hey, maybe you were Mata Hari! ;)
Paul- Fake faith is pointless. But there seems this compulsion to force other people into one's belief systems these days, which is what I can't tolerate. "Believe what you want, as long as it's what I believe", kinda thing. Nobody has the right to impose their stuff on others. That's all I'm saying.
Thanks for writing this. I'm glad you can question stuff. It's much needed in the world.
However, I'm hardly a member of any of the 'desert' religions, but I know a lot of good Christians, Jews, and Muslims (okay, Sufis) who are open to others thinking differently and can be supportive of people trying to find their own way in the world. It's important to remember that just because the ones who believe their way is the only way yell louder doesn't mean there aren't a lot of others who are more inclusive.
My brother-in-law, for example, is an ex-Catholic priest and retired Methodist minister and quite a devout Christian, yet he tried to put together a spiritual group based on Love--and invited me (and he knows I don't believe in a deity) to be part of it.
Likewise, as somewhat of a nonbeliever (at least in things like divinity and the afterlife) I get doubly upset by the uprising of militant atheists who are now insisting that anyone who believes in God (or a Goddess) needs to have their head examined. It's the same fundamentalist fanaticism, only with the other side doing it.
Moony- Good to hear from you! I wish I had the kind you speak of around here. I knew some very open Christians and Jews growing up, but no Muslims until I was in HS.
Here, these days, there are a lot of people that really believe that what they believe is the only thing anyone should believe. And anyone who thinks that, whether they're Atheist, Christian, whatever, is just wrong in my opinion.
We've had our discussions on our beliefs and all that jazz. But, I had lunch with my "sister" today and we agreed that if we're headed to Hell, we're doing it on our terms and having great fun getting there! :) Now... back to being sick.
Lisa! Get back in bed. You can't play around being sick. Now you been told! Sleep.....sleep.....
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