"Many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense. Beliefs
might lack all supporting evidence but, we thought, if people needed a
crutch for consolation, where's the harm? September 11th changed all
that.
"
Richard Dawkins
Religion, as differentiated from faith, is never harmless. Atrocious people commit horrendous atrocities in the name of religion. Crucifixion, castration, segregation, terrorism, bombing, torture, compelling to conformity, shunning, shaming, ad going to war have been done in the name of religion, and are being done in the name of religion. September 11 did not change anything -- religious leaders and followers have engaged in atrocities in the name of religion for millennia. No major religion has exempted itself from these horrors.
I am a person of faith who grasps the scientific method with both hands. Where evidence can lead, I am willing to follow. As a human being I find compassion, caring, giving and respecting lead to better living than does disrespect, contempt, indifference, uncaring, greed and putting myself first. I am not interested at all in participating in a religious group because while my little part of it may not indulge in evil, religion inevitably will.
What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The Ultimate Authority
I was talking with a friend, and mentioned that we attend a church that is "welcoming and affirming". What that means is, we welcome and affirm Gays, Lesbians, etc. His response was predictable: "How can you do that and claim you are a Christian?" (Add some explanations points to get the tone of voice.)
I said, "Because God in Jesus Christ welcomes all sorts of people. Paul said 'All have sinned.' Jesus said, 'Whoever believes. . . ' If can accepts and welcomes people, what right do we mortals have to reject them?"
"But it's against nature ," said my friend.
"Since when has nature been given ultimate authority over us," I asked. "If nature causes an earthquake, are we prohibited from digging out victims and giving them assistance, because, 'Nature has spoken'? If a volcano erupts and displaces and kills thousands of people, do we refuse the survivors help because, "Nature is the ultimate authority, and has decreed that these people are bad.'? If a forest fire rages, do we help people fight the fire and evacuate as necessary because, "Nature wants these people killed and homeless."
That's nonsense thinking, not faith reasoning. Certainly not Christian faith reasoning.
What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.
I said, "Because God in Jesus Christ welcomes all sorts of people. Paul said 'All have sinned.' Jesus said, 'Whoever believes. . . ' If can accepts and welcomes people, what right do we mortals have to reject them?"
"But it's against nature ," said my friend.
"Since when has nature been given ultimate authority over us," I asked. "If nature causes an earthquake, are we prohibited from digging out victims and giving them assistance, because, 'Nature has spoken'? If a volcano erupts and displaces and kills thousands of people, do we refuse the survivors help because, "Nature is the ultimate authority, and has decreed that these people are bad.'? If a forest fire rages, do we help people fight the fire and evacuate as necessary because, "Nature wants these people killed and homeless."
That's nonsense thinking, not faith reasoning. Certainly not Christian faith reasoning.
What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Yes, but... 2
From the inside:
The person who puts a coat over his head and wraps it around his face sees the lining of the coat. If it's a flannel pattern, and there is a little light to see by, he sees the flannel pattern. He can describe the intricacies of the pattern, the texture, maybe some hidden stitches.
From the outside:
The person looking at this guy with a coat wrapped around his head sees a guy who thinks it's important, or appropriate, to wrap a coat around his head.
From the inside:
The person inside a faith, such as Christianity, who has enough light to see by sees details within the faith. He or she memorizes Bible verses, reads the whole Bible, listens to teachers and preachers of all sorts. He or she can describe the intricacies of the inside of the faith. Why is contraception wrong? What did the tribe of Levi do right or wrong? Should women be allowed to wear jewelry? The answers are in the warp and woof of the lining.
From the outside:
The person outside a faith sees something of the character of God. If looking at the Christian faith, she or he sees a God reaching out in love and forgiveness and grace. If looking at the Jewish faith she or he sees a God who made a covenant with a particular tribe. If looking at the Muslim faith, he or she sees a God demanding ritual worship and absolute obedience.
Yes, but . .
but the patterns looks like this from the inside. The texture feels soft from the inside. You don't have the right coat around your face if you don't acknowledge the particulars of detail the way I see them.
I suggest we unwrap the coat and look at the faith movement we are examining from the outside. What is the defining aspect. All that other junk is just, "Yes, but. . . "
What do you think? Share your views and let us know.
The person who puts a coat over his head and wraps it around his face sees the lining of the coat. If it's a flannel pattern, and there is a little light to see by, he sees the flannel pattern. He can describe the intricacies of the pattern, the texture, maybe some hidden stitches.
From the outside:
The person looking at this guy with a coat wrapped around his head sees a guy who thinks it's important, or appropriate, to wrap a coat around his head.
From the inside:
The person inside a faith, such as Christianity, who has enough light to see by sees details within the faith. He or she memorizes Bible verses, reads the whole Bible, listens to teachers and preachers of all sorts. He or she can describe the intricacies of the inside of the faith. Why is contraception wrong? What did the tribe of Levi do right or wrong? Should women be allowed to wear jewelry? The answers are in the warp and woof of the lining.
From the outside:
The person outside a faith sees something of the character of God. If looking at the Christian faith, she or he sees a God reaching out in love and forgiveness and grace. If looking at the Jewish faith she or he sees a God who made a covenant with a particular tribe. If looking at the Muslim faith, he or she sees a God demanding ritual worship and absolute obedience.
Yes, but . .
but the patterns looks like this from the inside. The texture feels soft from the inside. You don't have the right coat around your face if you don't acknowledge the particulars of detail the way I see them.
I suggest we unwrap the coat and look at the faith movement we are examining from the outside. What is the defining aspect. All that other junk is just, "Yes, but. . . "
What do you think? Share your views and let us know.
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