Cultural Religion

Are you a Christian? Let's assume you are. What does that mean to you? What is it that you think that means? Is it merely a mild faith in Jesus and the Bible? Or does it encompass your life, your very fabric of your existence? These questions are very important to me, as they give me insight to the thinking of a religious person. Can one become simply a culturally passive religious person? Do you attend church only to see your family and friends? Why is it that one can take scripture and apply to our lives, say we believe in Jesus, and not think about it?


I truly wonder how many Christians, or any faithheads, have actually studied other viewpoints. One wouldn't label him/herself a Democrat without knowledge of their opinions and beliefs. So why would you label yourself a Christian without a knowledge of your backgrounds? We can discuss the horrible texts of the Old Testament, or the millions of lives lost in the name of Christ, but I think that misses the point. I am much more curious about your experience with your beliefs.


Supernatural deities that have the ability to perform any task at any time would surely provide His followers with some sort of insight or knowledge, wouldn't he? If you gain nothing from the belief, then I truly wonder what the point of it all is. Is what you feel real in every sense of the word? Are these 'religious experiences' merely delusions of the mind? How does a Christian explain the 'feelings' that Muslims get? Or Jews? How about the Greek people? Why can you dismiss their encounters with their Gods so easily and then expect me to subscribe to your claims? It is easy to show you that you're dismissing the same exact thing you expect others to respect.


Supernatural beings could hypothetically come in and change our lives at any moment. I understand the rationalizations for why this doesn't constantly occur, but is that fair to you? I would consider myself to be extremely fortunate. I know of thousands, perhaps millions of people that aren't as fortunate as you and I. However, as much as I feel lucky, I don't attribute that good luck to God. Just as there are thousands that aren't as fortunate as myself, I'm not as fortunate as many others. When a football star catches a touchdown pass, he kneels down and praises God. But sitting on that other bench, there is another man who probably has an equal faith in God. Why didn't he drop the pass? Both men are pulling God in opposite directions, so how does he pick who deserves it? It cannot possibly be based upon past moral decisions, as immoral people often succeed more than moral ones. It cannot be their faith, as both are equal. You can now come up with an irrational excuse for God and his actions; but that is merely a rationalization. The truth is that you cannot explain it; so you dismiss or rationalize. But both these options are not helpful to understanding, are they?


But that cultural attraction is still there; that desire to worship. I don't believe that desire is pre-programmed into us, software that God installs. I think it is simply a culture that is massively appealing. Let us all attend Church, see Jimmy and Suzy, and be forgiven for the atrocities committed during the week. That sort of delusional is massively appealing. There is so much that religion offers but so very little that it delivers. Religious people create beliefs in their head to explain the world around them; but these beliefs are not facts or even theories with any evidence. The texts offered to us from ‘divine beings’ are nothing more than a collection of first century writings slapped together with gold-leaf paper.


Ignorance will provide us with happiness. Humans desire happiness, and if turning a blind eye to rationally and science is what you call happiness, then good for you. Keep on calling the atheists idiots, attend your church, and pray to God. But if you want to know what the truth is; you need to dive headfirst into knowledge. I'm not saying that all people who study evolution, the Old Testament and atheist viewpoints will become atheists. But a dip into the pool of knowledge will help you on your one path to the truth.


After all, isn’t the truth so much more beautiful and wonderful than persisting in delusional beliefs? Isn't it enough for you to see or do something truly incredible and just appreciate it? I’ll leave this blog with a quote from Richard Dawkins:


“If we are to ever unweave the rainbow, it will not be any less majestic.”