When I was talking with my buddy about our respective stances on religion, we mainly spoke about life experiences that got us to where we are. Nothing tragic, just nagging thoughts, observing the natural world and being open to a different path really. I do know of people that have renounced their respective faiths because of bad experiences, but outside of talking shit and watching preachers take advantage of the trust of their congregants, I have no horror stories of my own. Oddly enough, most of the preachers and highly religious folks that I meet, think I’m just like them for the positive attributes they believe to be present in themselves. My moral compass isn’t adjusted by religion though. In casual conversations with them, I avoid stating that I’m not really looking for a church home nor am I interested in visiting theirs. That’s either polite or conflict avoidance, at the end of the day, I’m protecting their energy and mine by keeping those thoughts to myself. On my blog though…I speak freely and any energy received is by choice.
Who are you fooling?
One of the odd questions posed to me over the years “if you don’t believe in heaven or hell, what motivates you on your walk”? I find this question odd because I try to place myself in their shoes to fully understand it. To me, it implies that without great reward or great calamity, there is no motivation to do the right thing.
That seems ridiculous to think that the main reason folks aren’t violating everyone around them is because of these two unknown, and highly unlikely consequences. It’s weird that the same God that would have so few things of importance to concern Itself with than their parking space at the mall, somehow is incapable of recognizing that they’re only playing along for the perks. Like they believe God hears all, sees all, knows their heart, knew them before they got here…but in the same breath is so gullible that It can’t see past their bullshit and inconsistencies.
Golden Rule
I do what’s right because it’s the right thing to do. I’m polite to people because why not? I don’t steal from people because that’s an awful thing to do to another person. I do my best to not harm anyone in any way. That’s like 90% of being a “good” person right there. Doing good and doing no harm sounds pretty easy, it’s certainly an easy concept to grasp until you dig deeper into perceived and actual power/authority. I knew this guy that was relatively quiet when he was broke…then his father passed away and he found out he had a $10M inheritance waiting. He immediately went from quiet and inoffensive to a complete asshole. His true self was the asshole, but without money and power, he had no way to be who he wanted to be. Meanwhile, a friend of mine, was super cool, generous with his time and resources even when he was broke…and now that he’s financially knocking it out the park, he’s still generous with his time and resources. His true self is a generous person. What this tells me is, only the natural assholes NEED the threats and rewards of a religion to function in society. Sure, well-adjusted, socially cool people can be religious too, but they’re good folks just because, so they’d be fine in society either way.
I know one thing, if someone told me the only reason they aren’t violating me is because they believe in God…I don’t want to be around that person. Their moral compass is defective already, because the moment they feel God isn’t listening, or times are harder than they believe God would have for them, they’re going upside somebody’s head, and it won’t be mine. The other piece to that is some folks use God like a drug. Part of the reason I believe addicts often become devout Christians when they are free of drug addiction is because they simply swapped one fix for another more socially acceptable one. They stole VCR’s and game systems to get their fix when hooked on that narcotic, they steal personal space, and violate religious freedom when they’re hooked on Jesus.
Bank of Religion
I’m not trying to be funny, but I’ve seen a lot of examples of the type of people I speak on in my 43 years. Enough examples that I can say there are trends, but not enough to say it’s a rule. I don’t think being a good person should be something that is coerced out of someone, bought or manipulated in any way. I understand that with all of the disingenuous people in the world there would be a greater abundance of societal ills without religion. Conversely, I believe a great majority of our societal ills are because of religion. I believe people have the ability to change, just not enough people are willing to put in that real work to do so. If folks are morally bankrupt but are able to borrow kindness, love, understanding or whatever from religion, I’m cool with that. Just understand that some of us are sincerely able to fund our own compassion without the bank of religion. I’m simply one of those people.