I'm sorry. When I talk about religion, I can go on tangents. It just seems to me like all these works of literature we are reading--dips heavily into the religion of that time period. I'm also taking a world religions course and I am fascinated by other religions. What do they believe in? Why do they believe that? What do they follow?
I'm not trying to figure out which one is true or right. (My instructor insists that there can only be one truth--he's a pastor or something...I never know the difference between pastor/priests.) I don't want to debate on spiritual truth. I like to think that I can be open-minded and not discriminate against others with different beliefs. Anyways--who the hell knows for sure. Shit, it might play out like a South Park episode and the only people who get past the heavenly gates are Mormons.
Anyways, it seems like all religions are trying to find an escape from suffering. We all suffer here on earth. We are constantly moving towards our death. And it seems that we are not so very different from one another. We live on the hopes that we can be saved from this suffering, poverty, and unhappiness. As I've said in my other blog tonight, no one is excluded. Even if you're an atheist. You still have some thoughts about death. Some opinion about religion. Something! As much as we, here in America, would like to say that we are civilized and can separate the church and the state--we are affected by religion. Sometimes it divides us and sometimes it brings us together.
Sometimes I want to tell my world religions instructor: Stop telling me to find the 'truth.' What if I'm happy the way I am? And who cares? No one knows what's going to happen after we die. Just put yourself in my shoes. If you were to relocate in a different country and you were considered a minority, would you still be confident in proclaiming your beliefs? What if your religion was a minority, an obscurity? What if I walked up to you to preach about the good of Shamanism and told you that everything you've ever believed in were lies? Everything your parents taught you were wrong! Wrong! All of it. You whole life has been a lie. Everything you've cherished is worthless. You were living against the will of the gods. And beware!! For karma exists! Do not turn away! But look to your ancestors and know that you are reincarnations of yourself in past lives! You are given the gift of another life, so that you may live this one well. May you prosper and be good! May you do only good and live a life worth dying for. What would you do then? If everyone said you were wrong. If everyone told you that you're hallucinating and that there is no God and Jesus. There never was no such thing. Let me tell you what you would feel--inferior and confused.
Preach what you want to preach. But people will not change simply because you've told them to. From personal experiences, one has to want to change. One has to want to believe. Otherwise, there is no point in going to church just to get through the motions of going to church. I don't want to lie to myself. I don't have to lie to myself. I would like to say that I've synchronized Shamanism and Christianity to fit my life, needs, and wants. I understand you want to share your faith and good news. And I will be happy for you. I promise. I will celebrate your happiness. But do not force upon me something that I do not willingly take.
God--I'm rambling again. =) Well, this should be my eighth blog. So I'm probably signing out. Thanks for reading and replying.
I so agree with the statement that if we are happy just let us be...but in a sense that is not the way it is supposed to be. Sometimes I think that having faith in something, a greater force, gives us structure and a path to follow. Most religions influence people to have high morals and to do the "right thing".
ReplyDeletewow- what an interesting post! tell your instructor that another christian said "stop being so hard on mary vue" haha. i don't know who he is but he sounds harsh. also, i've never viewed you or your religion as simply another "minority" thing. i think you're awesome for taking beliefs so seriously and respect you a lot!:)
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean about the trying to shove religion on someone, I feel this way about other religions who have left notes on my car about how we are all going to Hell unless I convert to Mormonism or some sort of other religion. I also understand about sharing religion with other though too. Personally I get excited about my religion and I want to share it because I love it, however many people, I feel, take it too far. Something tells me you've encountered the Bible beaters and Hell and brimstone kind of Christians, these people usually take things a bit out of hand. I agree with Andrew too, I really respect you and your beliefs! :)
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