Sunday's post ended with this paragraph:
Early in Mark Vernon's article, he says, " ... for all religion's ills, for all its irrationality, religious traditions preserve a way of fife that human beings are poorer without." That can only be true, it seems to me, if there is an underlying assumption that religion is the only way to preserve that way of life. I am not ready to accept that assumption.
Having thought about it, I may have been both wrong and too strong. I seem to have read my own ideas into his statement, and don't know that he was saying it was the only way to preserve that way of life, I am willing to accept Mr. Vernon's statement as true and accurate . Since according to his article Mr. Vernon is an atheist turned agnostic, he probably did not mean it was the only way.
It's now time to review what I have written about my belief in God. When asked whether I believe in "the God of the Bible, The God of Abraham, of Mohamed, the Prophets, Jesus, The Gospels - that God" I replied with a single word, "No." That is true and accurate, but not complete. However, I am unable to form the words necessary to it to make it complete, at least not in firm, solid positive thoughts.
There is nothing wrong with believing in that God, but for me, if that's all there is, it is simply wrong. The God of the Bible, of Israel, Mohamed, the prophets and Jesus simply places limits on a concept that must be limitless. So my answer remains, but is extended to, "No, I don't believe in that God."
I think basically humans need a god, not that there is one. There have been various ways that need has been expressed over human history. Whenever I stand on a vista overlooking a beautiful nature scene and know reverence; whenever I hear a magnificent symphony and feel an appreciation for its source; whenever stars blanket the skies and the vast reaches of space impress me with my own insignificance, in these and many more I feel there is more than the physical existence of it all. But that doesn't mean that there is A God that created it all. Among other things, it means that we have been conditioned to search for meaning since the times when these powers were assigned to Mother Earth. And when I attend a Wiccan gathering, I understand a tiny bit more of their traditions.
Having said all that, and aware that more needs to be said, the Christian religion is the way I channel my beliefs of charity, hope, and love. I don't believe in all its rituals, or even its precepts of Trinity and Resurrection, but I do recognize that it best expresses precepts of compassion that guide my life. If that sounds contradictory, it probably is. I don't believe in the Christian God, but do love and enjoy many teachings of the Christian tradition, at least as expressed in part by the congregation and services I currently attend.
I observe, think, and question, and that is enough. I am not be as good at any of those as I would like to be, but this I know: The best way to live a fulfilled life is to help others to do the same. And that returns me to the beginning of this series.
A fully involved, fulfilled life, it seems to me, is likely one in which the person acts from a deep desire, pressing toward a goal that may never be reached, but pressing nevertheless. And I believe that every person should have the opportunity to live that way. But what does that actually mean? Is every person ever free to reach for the goals of his heart, or is that for a minority who have the intellect, time, and resources to do so? Examining these, and questions that follow them, raise ideas, prejudices, and fears that need to be examined.
I'm sure that I will continue to examine them, occasionally even to find answers. And that is the best I can either do or hope for.
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