Why is it that so many in the atheist community cannot bring themselves to get past their anger whenever they engage in discussions? The language of many of their contributions in public debate is laced with invective and dripping with sarcasm and bile. There are exceptions of course, but they tend to fall more into the category of being the 'exception that proves the rule' when compared to the hostility of many of today's atheist posters. Comment offered by the theists in the public square is often depicted as being 'malicious' or 'venomous' and intended to enslave the 'feeble minded and weak' by those who post. Nothing could be further from the truth. Venom is something that is oriented to death. Christians are oriented in a 180 degree different direction. We speak not to the culture of death that grips our world but rather for the culture of life and light which ends with the gift of eternal life. For example, the Catholic Church in its hum...
It seems to me that the problem here is we're arguing about the pros and cons of issues which shouldn't even be allowed in religion, so that the discussions themselves are inappropriate. We'll never get anywhere.
ReplyDeleteProbably the most appropriate forum for expression of religion and spirituality I can think of is Alcoholics Anonymous and it's primary focus is not even religion.
They don't have any clergy or full time leadership. They couldn't afford any even if they wanted them. It's democratic in the sense only that it is run by those who attend functions.
Everybody is welcome. The only rule is that you want to quit drinking but there is no judgement, ostracism or punishment of those that don't.
There are no churches of AA but anyone that wants, anywhere they are, can usually find a meeting anyplace they are, any time of the day or night.
The positive aspects of spirituality are universally recognized in AA but no specific requirements of how people develop that spirituality or where they find it exist.
AA has no big PR footprint in society, no lobbyists in Washington, no politicians that claim membership, engages in no organized missionary outreach efforts and yet the organization flourishes and is accepted as a positive influence by all.
Originally Christianity was like AA. No longer. That is the problem. It's a big problem. Arguing about Gays, abortion, natural marriage or any of this other crap will get nowhere because they involve behaviors that people find functional and help them to thrive and become better people. In order to change these things you have to change people and people only change when it benefits them. Heavy handed punitive efforts to change specific behaviors are stupid, counterproductive and reflect badly only on those that engage in the punishing, not those that engage in the so called sins.
Each person can do no more than try and become the best person they can be and hope that they may become, occasionally, a good enough person to act as an example for others when deciding what kind of person they want to be.
I think I have quite a way to go before I'll be worthy as an example and hope I'll never feel righteous enough to tell anybody anything about what kind of a person they ought to be. On the other hand, I enjoy going someplace and being with others who are trying to become better people. There are always many things we can agree on. It's good to share our mistakes and failures as well as our hopes and aspirations. I admire those who are able to build better lives than mine. I am humbled by the efforts of those who still have far to go.
Do you feel righteous enough to lead others to the truth, Tim? Oh, I'm sorry, that's how you make your living, isn't it?