For the record, evangelical Atheists are just as annoying as evangelical Christians (and probably any other fanatics of a religious or philosophical belief system)
Me being Christian does not automatically make me stupid or gullible, any more than you being Atheist/Agnostic/Egocentric/Pushy automatically makes you enlightened or educated, and would be great if you could stop making stupid assumptions. I believe in a lot of things that you might not. But the main thing that I believe is that everyone is entitled to live their own life. We call it "Free Will". I don't have to agree with you, I don't have to like you, and I certainly don't have to listen to you, but I DO have to respect your right to your own opinions and your right to make your own choices. I would appreciate the same concern.
I don't talk religion very often. I am always willing to talk about what I believe in, and I certainly don't hide it, but I also don't go out of my way to find ways to work it into the conversation or wave it around like some great universal cure all. I know that what makes sense in my brain will not/cannot have the same impact on someone who has led a life other than mine, with different experiences, priorities and needs. For some reason western culture has become very confrontational about, well everything. The need to "be right" has become a big part of any discourse, and it is ruining our ability to think critically about other peoples points of view. People grow and change and learn and it is a shame that some people have started to look down on people who change their minds. Unless of course it is to change their minds to whatever it is those people think is 'right'. I find that very very sad. It discourages thought and personal growth.
I have my reasons for believing as I do, and I assume everyone else does as well. It does not mean I put any less thought into me life then they do. Granted, some people don't. But those are specific cases, and not nearly as common as anti-whatever-their-particular-hate-is would like the world to think.
I also have great respect for people who believe in nothing specific because they don't feel the need to. I would much rather someone admitted to that than cling to something ultimately meaningless (to them) for the sake of fitting in, or not having to think for themselves. There is nothing wrong with saying "I don't know"
My church has as one of our main "Articles of Faith" this line "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may". Combine that with the a following bit about "Doing good to all men" and I really can't say it better then that.
This has gotten very long, but the key point is this:
Worship or not as you will, and leave me to do the same.
2 comments:
Thanks for this. I often sway between Agnosticism and Atheism and don't feel I have the same fight in me as others in my boat do. I mostly just shrug and say, "I don't have any answers for you." I have many peers and friends who walk different paths of faith, whereas I often feel like I'm floating aimlessly without any real goal or objective, and the only real reason I don't believe in anything is that no doctrine has passed my eyes or ears without leaving a knot in my stomach and a bad taste in my mouth. During a particularly trying time last month, I had one friend say they'd pray for me, which I genuinely thanked and appreciated him for. I'd like to think I just haven't found my deity yet.
Anyhoo, I've also heard through the grapevine you're expecting. Wonderful news, and congrats! Now that I know where your blog is, I've bookmarked it. : )
Nothing wrong with not committing to something unless you are sure! But it is always nice when someone has room for your views in their world. I hope you are having a better go of things lately.
And thanks! Two more months until the world gets all upside down. And of course I am totally expecting that to be the week that we finally sell the apartment/have to move. Life likes to do that kinda thing. :)
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