I wonder if the question is: ‘is religion knocked into us, or is it knocked out of us? Or is it something we either have or not, no matter what the powers that be do or don’t do to our societies?
I believe that there have always existed those who believe in one or many gods, those who just pay lip service …
I wonder if the question is: ‘is religion knocked into us, or is it knocked out of us? Or is it something we either have or not, no matter what the powers that be do or don’t do to our societies?
I believe that there have always existed those who believe in one or many gods, those who just pay lip service because of social or even legal or financial pressures and those who never believe in any religion - the ‘when you’re dead you’re dead’ mentality, no matter what external pressures there are. Some grow out of religion (most children believe what adults tell them); some grow into it - perhaps they meet someone so inspiring, so convincing that they have an epiphany. That person may be a conman, a charlatan, misguided but charismatic, but still… Perhaps some, like me, would like the comfort that belief brings but just can’t find that faith in their heart or mind. My sister is an evangelical Christian and has very great faith; I know the arguments.
I don’t believe being moral depends on one’s religious belief, we all know what is right and what is wrong. Do unto others as you would be done to is the golden rule for everyone, is it not? Some ‘religions’ preach otherwise - we should believe Muslims when they say they want to wipe all other religions from the face of the earth, they make a good job of it when they become a majority in a country, after all. So, having a belief in god isn’t everything in my opinion. All religions have killed in the name of god. I have decided all we can do is follow the teaching of Christ - perhaps belief in his resurrection will follow, perhaps not, would that matter? Would he forgive us if heaven exists and he knew we had lived a good life or would he send the innocent to hell because that final, supernatural step was beyond us?
God killed god to save us from god - this could sum up Christianity if we were to be cynical; it’s trite, but it resonated with me.
I have always felt that morality is based on good humility. I am no better (or worse) than the next guy; I have no right to treat him worse than I think I deserve to treated.
I’ve always believed in an “interested Supreme Being” that is timeless and infinite, but that Man is incapable of conceiving anything about that Being. It is beyond our imagination. I subscribe to Christian orthodoxy because (a) it’s a convenient way to express my faith, respect and love for the God who created every subatomic particle of all we will ever know, and (b) because its doctrines are the best way devised so far by which to run a civilization.
Some may express sorrow that I will not be “saved.” I appreciate that, but I can only express what I believe: That God exists, that he is interested, (he gave us a conscience, after all), and that as a human being I am incapable of comprehending his existence.
I think you are a very wise and thoughtful person who is more in tune with the true meaning of faith and spirituality than maybe you give yourself credit for.
Thank you so much for your “hug.” VERY much appreciated.
One thing I failed to mention: it’s very difficult for me to believe that God is exclusively focused on humans:
What happens when all the existing stars exhaust their fuel?
– All life depends on radiant heat from stars.
– All stars are driven by fusion, and there is a finite amount of “fusible” matter in the universe. Our own sun has a projected remaining life of ≈5B years.
– Yes, the residual material can agglomerate, but it’s not fusible, so will not generate star-like energy.
So what’s next? Or are we to believe that God’s corporeal influence is limited to 14B years?
These are not questions for you, per se, but inspire my thinking.
You think deeply. Your thoughts are profound and of a metaphysical nature. Please don't ever lose that - the world needs thinkers such as yourself. Also .. you are welcome :)
P.B - do excuse me for advertising myself, but I do have my own substack, and although I have only posted twice, I have posted a short story there (I’m a published novelist) about one woman’s faith.
Thank you for your response, P.B.
I wonder if the question is: ‘is religion knocked into us, or is it knocked out of us? Or is it something we either have or not, no matter what the powers that be do or don’t do to our societies?
I believe that there have always existed those who believe in one or many gods, those who just pay lip service because of social or even legal or financial pressures and those who never believe in any religion - the ‘when you’re dead you’re dead’ mentality, no matter what external pressures there are. Some grow out of religion (most children believe what adults tell them); some grow into it - perhaps they meet someone so inspiring, so convincing that they have an epiphany. That person may be a conman, a charlatan, misguided but charismatic, but still… Perhaps some, like me, would like the comfort that belief brings but just can’t find that faith in their heart or mind. My sister is an evangelical Christian and has very great faith; I know the arguments.
I don’t believe being moral depends on one’s religious belief, we all know what is right and what is wrong. Do unto others as you would be done to is the golden rule for everyone, is it not? Some ‘religions’ preach otherwise - we should believe Muslims when they say they want to wipe all other religions from the face of the earth, they make a good job of it when they become a majority in a country, after all. So, having a belief in god isn’t everything in my opinion. All religions have killed in the name of god. I have decided all we can do is follow the teaching of Christ - perhaps belief in his resurrection will follow, perhaps not, would that matter? Would he forgive us if heaven exists and he knew we had lived a good life or would he send the innocent to hell because that final, supernatural step was beyond us?
God killed god to save us from god - this could sum up Christianity if we were to be cynical; it’s trite, but it resonated with me.
I have always felt that morality is based on good humility. I am no better (or worse) than the next guy; I have no right to treat him worse than I think I deserve to treated.
I’ve always believed in an “interested Supreme Being” that is timeless and infinite, but that Man is incapable of conceiving anything about that Being. It is beyond our imagination. I subscribe to Christian orthodoxy because (a) it’s a convenient way to express my faith, respect and love for the God who created every subatomic particle of all we will ever know, and (b) because its doctrines are the best way devised so far by which to run a civilization.
Some may express sorrow that I will not be “saved.” I appreciate that, but I can only express what I believe: That God exists, that he is interested, (he gave us a conscience, after all), and that as a human being I am incapable of comprehending his existence.
I think you are a very wise and thoughtful person who is more in tune with the true meaning of faith and spirituality than maybe you give yourself credit for.
Thank you so much for your “hug.” VERY much appreciated.
One thing I failed to mention: it’s very difficult for me to believe that God is exclusively focused on humans:
What happens when all the existing stars exhaust their fuel?
– All life depends on radiant heat from stars.
– All stars are driven by fusion, and there is a finite amount of “fusible” matter in the universe. Our own sun has a projected remaining life of ≈5B years.
– Yes, the residual material can agglomerate, but it’s not fusible, so will not generate star-like energy.
So what’s next? Or are we to believe that God’s corporeal influence is limited to 14B years?
These are not questions for you, per se, but inspire my thinking.
You think deeply. Your thoughts are profound and of a metaphysical nature. Please don't ever lose that - the world needs thinkers such as yourself. Also .. you are welcome :)
P.B - do excuse me for advertising myself, but I do have my own substack, and although I have only posted twice, I have posted a short story there (I’m a published novelist) about one woman’s faith.
Thank you P.B.