On a serious note today I would like to leave an open discussion based on this NYTimes article. It vaguely covers religion. More importantly, its an article about looking back on the beginning on one's principals. Now that we are in our later twenties, maybe a little older, have any of you ever questioned things you were taught as a child?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/opinion/sunday/bruni-a-catholic-classmate-rethinks-his-religion.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
First, let me just point out that I'm not trying to be offensive toward anyone who is religious.
ReplyDeleteI still remember listening to my very first bible story and right after listening to the story, I thought to myself, "BULLCRAP". It was Noah's Ark. There's no effing way to get both male and female of every single animal on Earth, on one boat. The next story I heard was comical, but then thinking, "ok, this all BS". It was Samson and Delilah. LOL Good times.
I think my most poignant memory was when every time even as a child, all my questions were answered with "Because the bible says so." I then realized that they themselves didn't know the answers to my questions. The more I prodded for answers the more distressed they became. It was as if they were afraid of the question itself. I can still get my relatives worked up over these questions. Its very funny if I do it in front of visiting relatives. My grandmother gets this look of dread the moment I open my mouth. Its great!
ReplyDeleteI would in return ask my father the same questions. His answers varied, but at least he was answering them truthfully.
I think people make the mistake of taking the Bible's stories so literally. People tend to be very close minded when it comes to religion, especially those raised in strict religious households. I was raised in a Catholic family, although once we were older my parents left it up to us whether we would go to church every week or not. I am a very spiritual person, I believe in a God. I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus, Buddha, etc. were put on this earth to teach and enlighten people. However, I do not believe that the same God Christians claim will forgive a man for torturing, raping, and murdering children, would also condemn a person to an eternity of hell because they love someone of the same sex. Most people choose not to question these things, they choose to live in ignorance and believe what they are told whether they see the faults of their "rules" or not. This story is a good example of how sometimes people need to go out in to the world to gain a sense of perspective. I deal with this sort of ignorance fairly often. My aunt and uncle truly believe in their hearts that their daughter will go to hell when she dies because she is a lesbian, they struggle to continue to love her and accept her for who she is. They will never admit that maybe man made religions are flawed. Maybe it is simply arrogance to say "my religion is right, yours is wrong, I know exactly what happens after death". Maybe we should all be humble and realize we will not know until we are there. I could go on forever on this subject.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Camille. It's important to take what you've learned and at least attempt to apply logic to it. It's funny to me when someone believes that their religion is absolutely the only one that's correct. Well, if that's so, how is it that all the other religions exist? 20 different times in 20 different places, in 20 different languages, different fantastic stories were written. Mine is true though. The rest of you are full of shit.
ReplyDeletei question most of what i was taught as a child, considering my mother told me that she hoped i found a wealthy man to marry because i wouldnt be able to take care of myself or that i will most certainly do whatever my husband told me to. yea, ask ricky how that turned out. I grew up in a pretty religious home and was deliberately scared into being 'saved' as a 5 year old by a minister at church. he told me that i would go to hell if i didnt get saved and baptized. anyway, i think its good and healthy to question things, it helps us grow into educated, well-rounded adults.
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