I think it was a video by Bill Mahr that I was watching a few months ago, where I heard this idea, and since I'll likely butcher his quote, here it is in my words.
The objective of religion is to convince you that something is wrong with you. You're not good enough or there is something evil inside of you. And the only way you can fix that problem is by doing what the religion prescribes.
I think when he stated that opinion, he was referring specifically to Scientology, but I think it holds true for any religion. Just look at basic run of the mill Christianity... You are a naturally evil and sinful person, and only by accepting Jesus, can you hope to be saved... Oh, and give us your money too - just so you can be extra safe!
I feel as though I need to change the tone of this blog a little. For far too much of my life I've been convinced that I wasn't good enough. I needed to pray more, read more scriptures, donate more time and money, and even then I wasn't guaranteed that I was doing enough to earn my salvation.
But you know what, I'm coming to the realization that there is nothing really wrong with me, and there's nothing wrong with any of you either. We're amazing creatures with a phenomenal culture, unique talents and a huge capacity for love, understanding and compassion. No other species on earth has within it the power that we do to effect change and make our environment better.
So where to I go from here? How do I turn a creative endeavor from a critique of my past to a plan for my future and change the tone from something negative to something positive?
I think for too long I've been buried in the crap churned out by religion, that perhaps I miss it on some level, and throwing the crap back is my way of participating.
I'd welcome any suggestions, but here are somethings I would like to explore in the days, months and years to come...
A more minimalist lifestyle
Ways to overcome greed and simplify my life
Living in harmony with nature and finding better ways to practice environmentally friendly interactions.
Social justice.
And perhaps most important of all, providing my kids with an education and understand of life, so that when they depart our home and enter the real world, they'll take with them a respect for all around them, and an internal sense of integrity and responsibility.
Positive atheism! WOOOOOO
ReplyDeleteIs that a picture from the movie 'Into the Wild'? If you haven't seen it, it is THE BEST movie and may just help you with your searching :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.intothewild.com/
Thanks Daniel! Funny how the world just seems a little brighter since I dropped idea of religion.
ReplyDeleteMaureen... I'm assuming it is, and while I haven't seen it yet, you're in a long list of folks who've recommended it highly! Perhaps this weekend.
The objective of government is to convince you that something is wrong with others. They're not good enough or there is something evil inside of them. And the only way you can fix that problem is by doing what the government prescribes. (And pay your taxes).
ReplyDeleteWorks both ways doesn't it?
With all due respect dbd... What does the government have to do with this conversation?
ReplyDeleteThat’s a really cool song. I love music that has deep meaning and makes you think. What you are talking about reminds me of the famous quote by Thoreau "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
ReplyDeleteThe objective of religion is to convince you that something is wrong with you. You're not good enough or there is something evil inside of you. And the only way you can fix that problem is by doing what the religion prescribes.
ReplyDeleteI have a close friend that is going through the same thing with AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). She called me to talk about it because she feels its very similar the the things I feel about religion, and when we investigated further (thanks Google) we found that [we] are not alone- there are organisations for 'AA Deconversion" and support groups and the like.
We discussed that in particular, organised religion and AA have in common, among other things, the [need?] to make members feel inferior, defective(in AA they call it diseased)and as if they are never good enough- and the only way to become a better person? Give more of yourself to the organisation, go to more meetings, sponsor others, give yourself to 'service' (which is like chairing meetings and stuff).
Now I know this a a little off-topic but I hope yo won't mind as I think it's interesting as religion aren't the only offenders. I don't agree with what dbd said about government and it being the same thing. Sorry for going off-topic on you- resume thread :)
Thanks TGIAA - I can definitely see that. I suspect like with my Manipulation post a few days ago, perhaps there are elements of this in every organization. Even just a plain commercial company is going to use marketing to make you think that you need their products.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago, I had a follower on this blog (The shift in my testimony of the LDS Church chased him away unfortunately), but he was a well educated young man, who had worked hard to get where he was. He and his wife have struggled to have kids, and so they had started working on adopting... One thing led to another, and he and his wife had become adoption advocates, helping other couples in similar situations, and that kind of thing. They would spend their weekends traveling around teaching classes, hosting events and that kind of thing. A truly remarkable man, which a lot to offer and making a positive difference in the world... One day after a rather critical post very similar to this, he commented that as he saw it, he was sick, and the Church was the Physician he had to see every week to make him well again. I recall just a profound sadness that he would view himself this way... It's haunted me ever since.
The Girl With... Thanks for the quote - it sounds vaguely familiar... Perhaps I need to print that out on some pretty paper and put it up somewhere prominent.