Sunday, 09 November 2008
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Stop doing religion wrong, guys, seriously.
Going to an art school, the majority of the students, like me, are agnostic. This is kinda confusing considering the history of art, but I guess creativity only runs in the blood of anarchistic heathens in this day and age. I'm kidding, kinda. but on the subject fo being anarchistic heathens, my friend and I got into a discussion about the innacurate portrayal of agnostics by pretty much everyone.
To be religious, it's assumed that one has to be tied to a religion. This encompasses the foundation of the problem with religion as a whole. The title of a religion is tied strictly to the religion's scripture, and not the ethics, because, for the most part, all religions have almost identical moral codes. So, one has to call themselves a "Christian," "Catholic," or "Muslim," in spite of having the same rules against murder, rape, theft, etc. And naturally, because these religions follow different literature, they have to look down on each other, because being different is just stupid, and you're stupid for being different (that's the code of all mankind right there, folks).
So, I wear the title of agnostic, because we have to have titles for everything, society would panic without a label and system of identification for everything. Because of this label, it's assumed I disregard everything about all religion. Obviously this is bullshit. I have read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, two books on taoism, a book on budhism, and even a book on Krishna that some monk gave me a few months ago. the last three are incredibly more interesting, since rather than telling incredibly ridiculous stories to prove their points, they discuss philosophy. Granted, these are just a few books on a very select few religions. Either way, though, I realized how dramatically similar they all really are.
So, take away the literature and stories of the respective religious texts, because, true or not, they are only in there to reinforce the morals and ideals that the religion is founded on. They are not important, and not ment to be taken literally in any context as they so often are. Suddenly, religion isn't so bad, and something I can totally get into. I'm still not going to accept whether there is or isn't a God, because I can't prove that. But again, diety isn't important in religion, either, and some don't even have one. I mean, what is a God in a religious sense? Someone who may or may not be there who you pray to, who may or may not do what you ask, which is irrelevant because he or she already has your fate pre-determined, so what the fuck are you praying for, anyway? Oh, also it's someone who you can kill in the name of, and it's automatically justified.
I don't hate religion, I just hate where society has placed the focus. That is, everyone is so caught up in literally interpreting the religious texts that they forget the point of religion. Religion is there to set a unified moral code and to give hope to those who need it. Instead, it's being used to give hate an excuse. I know this isn't any sort of new revelation, that the religious are misusing their religion, that's been done since before history. The problem that I've come to realize, though, is that while everything else in society advances, religion doesn't, and in my mind the single-most visible cause of this is the labelling and segregation of religions. But then, what do I know, I'm a anarchistic heathen.
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Comments (196)
You are overlooking one possible problem though. What if the texts are true, or are meant to be taken literally? Or worse, what if they claim to be literally true, but are not? You then ask us to accept the moral code that those texts promulgate, even though the fundamental proposition of those texts is a lie?
Not everyone accepts that the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran are "not meant to be taken literally." The differences in interpretation necessarily lead to differences in morals, or as you put it, "giving hate a chance." In the end the only refuge is the truth, or at least an honest search for the truth.
i'm not being a dick here, i'm asking a serious question. if you think there is no need to segregate since the underlying moral code for all religions are the same ("all religions have almost identical moral codes...murder, rape, theft, etc.") i think you should try to write a more exhaustive list of code conduct and ask if it's widely accepted.
i'm guessing you'd have a lot of people wanting to include stuff you wouldnt want included.
i bet people would want to remove behaviors you wouldnt want removed.
and i suspect the active interpretation of the agreed upon morals would be up for heated debate.
if i'm right, it'll be readily apparent just how religion did get spilt up into tidy little chapels of belief.
Good post; I tend to agree.
However, I would like to point out that the labels and systems by which we categorize everything in life are not intrinsically negative. They exist as a byproduct of our nature; we need them so that we can refer to an idea without explaining it in depth and so we can view things from a broader perspective.
It is not the labels fault that people do not interpret it correctly.
Wow, very nice way of putting this all together =)
@tigristarlet - Saving Private Ryan used historical events, locations, and other true information, too, but that doesn't mean it's not a work of fiction. Also, there is no evidence that Jesus ever existed, the first claims came about 200 years after he would have lived.
I always wondered: why is it so many art school students fall into archtypes? Aren't art students supposed to be innovative or creative or something. (or is that antiquated too?)
As far as your beliefs on what is wrong with religion, the real problem is the people. Get rid of religion and you still have people. However, you can't get rid of people, because the same thing we hate about them is the same thing that we love about them. It's just we feel one way or the other at different times. The religions themselves are just sets of rules to contract with a higher being. Even if you are secular, you are contracted to follow man's law, or risk being pulled by the civilization's laws. Everyone answers to a higher authority, no matter what.
i think that we are called to make the most of the life we have right now. to do anything else is sin. the afterlife is a question that will be answered much later.
i absolutely concur!
agreeed! that's so weird the entry i wrote today is sort of about society's silly labels etc.
You're an entertaining writer and I really enjoy your personality. Also, I believe you are very sincere and actually believe what you are saying. But I am also very sincere when I say that you are sadly mistaken in much of what you contend.
Christianity, according to the New Testament, claims to be the only true religion. Jesus Christ Himself made this emphatic statement, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to (God) the Father, except by Me." If you read the four Gospels, carefully, you will see that Christ clearly teaches that through Him is the only way to salvation. I believe that it is important that we learn to live peacefully with all those we come in contact with. I do not believe we have a right to despise another person because of his/her religious beliefs.
Not all Christians are good representatives of what Christ teaches. Something else that He stated emphatically is the fact that the way to perdition is wide and "many there be that go in thereat." Conversely the way that leads to life is "straight and narrow, and few there be that find it."
He taught us by both precept and example to show genuine love toward those around us.
I know you are sincere and I thank you for sharing your views.
Peace!
David. Psalm 23
perhaps you should get a bible. it gives a totally new view on everything.
christianity cannot exactly/totally be defined as a religion. its just a label to represent your loyalty and love towards God, and which side you are on, becos in this case there are only two types of people : people who believe in God, and people who don't.
it's wonderful.
many think that being a christian is tiring, troublesome etc... but in actual fact, not being a christian is so.
open a bible, read it, absorb it, learn it by heart.
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth - BIBLE.
you have no idea how true this is.
i hope this changes your view on religion, or on christianity that is.
heh. nice. we like your take on it, not that we're going to start randomly believing in anything religious now, but still, *STAMP OF APPROVAL*
how very sad that what you say is pretty much true...
however, if i pray, it is because i believe that there is a God and that He cares for me and about me. i believe that while He knows what I will do, He doesn't make me - or anyone else - do anything. my course in life is mine to determine -- my destiny is mine to make. if i ask Him for something, it is because i believe He has the power to grant it. why would i believe such nonsense? because of the witness of His work in my life and in the lives of others.
as for the stories in religion not being meant literally -- well, some are and some aren't. the story of Jesus' resurrection is meant to be taken literally. if it is true, then there is no point in following any other religion. if it isn't true, then there is no point in Christianity.
I love that you commented on your own post. I am sooooooooo going to do that. And with such unreserved admiration! To think how many underappreciated and sparsely commented posts I've written when I could have just praised them all myself.
nicely done (:
to claim that you're a Christian, maybe it's a good thing to do if you evaluate yourself first. (this one is not for the author)
i'm not sure if i should waste my time on this but hey, i hope you won't get mad because i want to share my side but it's not meant to insult you in any way.
just keep your mind open. violent reactions.. well, i'm not hoping you'll do that but if you wish, then i can't do anything about it.
First, religions. Religions formed by all the wrong reasons aka money, power etc. are sure to do nothing but the wrong things. And it shows. So that part is right.
Second, you've read the Christian Bible? Well, you would know why real Christians live the way they do IF you have understood it. How 'bout the Catholic bible? Didn't you notice the difference between the Christian bible and the catholic's? Catholic bible contains books that are UNKNOWN to the real apostles of Christ, which makes it contradicting, and unholy. Any devoted catholics here? I will be grateful to show you all the evidences to let you know that your doctrine is wrong. And I won't look down on you but I will be sad for you if you will refuse to accept the truths.
The books on taoism, buddhism etc, are there books written about CHRIST?... of course not. They're not Christian.
So.. just to make you understand better in case you didn't, bro, (Matthew - John) Christ is a God, the Son of God, who took the form of man to pay for the sins of all mankind, so that mankind would not have to suffer the terrible consequence of God's punishment; started preaching at the age of 30 and died after 3years to make the scriptures come true. (Acts) 3 days later, His Father God have raised Him from the dead and He lived another 40 days with His apostles and all who believed in Him to teach them everything the world needs to know, for the previous generations and for the people in the last days.. Now, Christians live to testify and tell His story, so that all who will listen and believe, all who will live according to his teachings, all who will have faith and endure UP TO THE END will be saved.
In short, Christians live the way they do and do what they do because they are working for their salvation. Christians fight against ALL THE WRONG PRINCIPLES, against the rulers of darkness of this world because it's their JOB as servants of THEIR GOD, that's the command to them.
Lastly, for the evidence parts..
Many extraordinary, gifted scientists who has made the most of what they had have admitted to the All Mighty God's existence, Socrates in particular.
We also now have the physical evidences if you're after geography, like the coin of Caesar and the grave stone of James, the brother of Jesus during His life here on earth. It just takes a bit serious research.
@anonymous - Did you read my post? You know, the part where I mentioned having read the bible? No? okay. You might want to try that next time before you make a complete douche out of yourself.
I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the scriptures do not reign paramount. --Martin Luther
The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity. --Immanuel Kant
The Bible is no mere book, but a Living Creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it. --Napoleon
To preach the Bible as 'the handbook for life,' or as the answer to every question, rather than as the revelation of Christ, is to turn the Bible into an entirely different book. This is how the Pharisees approached Scripture, as we can see clearly from the questions they asked Jesus. For the Pharisees, the Scriptures were a source of trivia for life's dilemmas. --Michael Horton
just sharing. :)
@DrugInducedDuck - ?? really? you claimed you've read it, the bible, the book of mormon, etc, are you not reading what you write? haha.. there's something wrong..
@ku394521678 - I read historical texts with a philisophical mindset, take what they're worth with a healthy dose of skepticism, apply the reading to rationality, and then call my judgement on it. How is there anything wrong with that?
@DrugInducedDuck - ah.. well, it just shows that we are different and I believe the Bible so for me, human philosophy would be wrong and there would be nothing wrong with that because we're different, right? But the point is, you mentioned having read the bible so yes? okay? you did. The only difference is that I have mentioned the two kinds of Bible you didn't.
peace....
Robin, I want to thank you for being honest in sharing you views. I can understand how you want to make sense of the religions of this world and explain them all in one quick theory but aren't you essentially doing the thing you critique, labeling? You reduce the religions of the world as only useful in as much as they reinforce ethics without giving any credibility to the full nature of the actual relgious tradition or the practioner of the religion. I am not trying to be overly critical or anything I just found your comments somewhat offensive (which is ok, I am glad you shared them). I just want to let you know that God loves you and desires to have a relationship with you. He is real and he told me to tell you that. The Bible says that if you seek him you will find him when you seek him with all of your heart.
Peace be upon you,
Spencer
@misuriver - Eh, no problem. I figured it out.
@pensator_agrestis_of_victualia - I don't see how I'm labelling anything. On the contrary, in your post you are reinforcing the very thing this post is against. You can't respect that I have my own set of beliefs, that I live a good life and am a good person, and that's not enough for you. It won't be enough until I think the same as you because I don't call myself "Christian."
I'm a Supernaturalist and to me dreams are both more realistic than this world and heaven put together! For me, dreams are an afterlife and yes I'd love to live in mine because they are way better than this world! Muslims, Jews, Christians, Mormons (though I was born one) are rather overstressed like all organized religions. No matter their ideas of moral quo and afterlife they still don't convince me they are real!