I know you have all been salivating for another religious post, so here it is.
I was listening to NPR today, and they were interviewing this very interesting author, Jennifer Michael Hecht. She has a new book out called Doubt: A History, "...trac[ing] the forces of doubt in human history."
The parts of the show that I caught seemed to be revolving around religion, and it got me thinking (again.)
The few religion-themed conversations that we've had here have always devolved into all-out brawls. Of course, those conversations were about religion
in politics, a combination of two rather flammable topics. My wish is that we could talk about these things in a constructive, respectful manner. They
are both important, whether or not you "believe."
theoria's religious disclaimers
- raised Catholic by a very liberal feminist single mother in the shadow of Notre Dame's golden dome
- former altar boy-- witnessed abuse by priests
- left church in favor of broader spiritual knowledge
- still consider myself a "believer"
- I once received last rites (cool)
- I once gave last rights (not cool)
Now, I will mention right off the bat that out-of-hand dismissals are annoying and counter-productive. I don't think atheists are going to hell (in fact I don't believe in hell, other than hell-on-earth) and I expect you atheist/agnostic types to try really hard to avoid calling believers silly or deluded.
Of the four "disclaimers" I listed above, I can see one (#3) that quite a few of us will have in common. Many enlightened Catholics leave the church in search of broader spiritual understanding. Some return with additional knowledge, others find nothing there and become atheists, and still others, like me, keep believing while turning away from the organized church forever. As far as I am concerned, we are all right, because spirituality (or lack thereof) is such an incredibly personal thing. It's between you and your self.
As I listened to that show, I noticed a recurring theme. It had a lot to do with the hypocrisy of the church, and of Christians in particular. The hypocrisy of the church, particularly the Catholic church, is precisely why I left. I couldn't stand seeing poor folks donating money to a church that was gilded in gold. I couldn't stand the fact that people were shunned because of what they did with their own bodies, or because of who they happened to love. Still, I knew that Jesus was teaching principles that we progressives hold dear, and he wasn't slitting people's throats when they didn't agree with him. He was a bad-ass. There are others that I admire equally.
I am not going to pretend to speak for all atheists, but it has been my experience that many of them are disaffected Christians... many times former Catholics... some are formerly abused Catholic altar boys who saw the power of the church (rightfully) as the core of the probem that scarred them so horrifically. (I didn't say that all athests are altar boys that had been raped, so don't go there, please.)
I can completely understand the bilious hatred that some atheists have toward organized religion. I spent about fifteen years as a rabid atheist, until I recognized my repulsion as contempt for those who turned people's faith into a tool for gaining power. Religion has a bloody, oppressive past, to be sure. That does not mean that I should not believe. Quite the opposite, for me.
So I think there is this disconnect. I know there is one between myself and "non-believers." When the non-believers here on kos vent their hatred at me, which some of them do (others do not) I see a gap between what you are fighting and what I represent. (Yes, it was fighting.)
The typical, hypocritical bastardization of what is pure and good, represented by the Right and the Christian Coalition, is as offensive to me as it is to you. You have the additional burden of feeling rejected by those "believers", but they are simply a scary (and yes, large) part of a group of people who believe a certain thing. This is no different than hating any group of people because of what a segment of them does to wrong you. Can you think of which tenet of progressive ideology this runs counter to?
Some black kids stole my bike when I was young. Growing up as a minority in my childhood neighborhood, I was beat up almost daily by black kids. I was mugged by some black dudes when I was living in Chicago. I could choose to think that all black people are thieves, but I know better, in spite of unfortunate incidents in my past.
I sometimes get the feeling that the more rabid anti-Christian people here at kos have a personal vendetta against those that choose to believe. What I am trying to say is, don't lump us all together. Progressive Christians are an important ally as we all struggle to return our country to its rightful owners... the people.
The "Christian Coalition" is one of the most dangerous things in this country, especially with Bush at the helm, but true Christians see right through this bozo and those hypocrites.
What would Jesus do?
He'd kick their asses.
peace out