Hedge words or phrases like “perhaps”, “maybe”, or “I don’t know” have been dropped from your vocabulary long ago. Who needs them? You have uncovered all of the answers.
The doubts and fears that limit the potential of the rest of us are no longer concerns of yours. You don’t just forward forceful arguments. No, that wouldn’t be nearly enough. There can be no room for debate.
Your opinions rise to the level of certitude because, after all, there is no question that you are right.
You believe that those who disagree with you are misinformed, ignorant, lost, or worse.
You believe that all nonbelievers – the good people as well as the bad – are doomed.
You believe in a Grand Plan, and you speak as if you’ve read the unpublished manuscript.
You know that yours is the only way.
How difficult life must have been for you before you knew everything.
I have a friend who is very into her religion. She spends more time in church than I do watching baseball, which means that she’s there a lot. I accompanied her to a service once. It felt as if I had been dropped into heavenly Hillsboro of Inherit the Wind fame. There was lots of enthusiasm in that room and some in attendance were even overcome with the spirit. I had never seen that in person.
The service went on for so many hours that I no longer worried about seeming rude by getting up from my seat, so I did. I had to. I went outside for a smoke.
I’ve known my friend for over thirty years, so what she believes and how she thinks are not secrets to me. She has her beliefs and I have mine, so we move on.
We’ve had only one real falling out.
One day, we were having one of those circular discussions that occur when one side cannot even consider what the other side is saying. The discussion nearly ended when I mentioned that one of us was going to hell, or at least purgatory.
Now, I’m not what you would call a true believer. I have my views of this life and the next, but I don’t stick to the company line. There are a lot of ifs, ands, or buts in my vocabulary and even more questions. If I know anything, it’s that my questions cannot be answered by anyone walking the earth.
I’ll just have to wait and see.
And pray.
I went on to explain that the problem with everyone running around insisting that theirs is the one and only true religion is the implication that everyone else is pretty much screwed – no matter how well they’ve lived their lives.
No god that I pray to would be down with that.
Ray } – 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I certainly enjoyed reading this article. I suppose I may be somewhat like your friend…I do think that my belief in Christ is my salvation, and it is the only way. The only way “for me”. I know what the bible says, but I suppose I’m not totally convinced that every other person in every other belief system is…doomed.
The bible says Christ sat down with the levites (I suppose you could say the “infidels”). If he could, I guess I can too.
I learned after lots of “church” indoctrination that I didn’t really agree with, that the way isn’t to browbeat or convert or cite verse upon verse…but simply to let your actions speak for what God’s done your life; to be who you’ve become because if it; to care about others even if they don’t believe; to accept.
Hi Gracey,
I’m glad that you enjoyed reading this, as I had fun writing it. I also thank you for your thoughtful comment. You hit upon the two words that are often omitted when people profess a belief — “for me”. The addition of those two words can make all of the difference in people reaching the level of acceptance that you wrote of.
It’s good that you’re not convinced that everyone else is doomed.
That line was a bit over the top, I know, but I wanted to emphasize the disconnect that I feel with that notion.
Clearly, faith is a powerful force in the lives of many and that can often be a good thing because, at their core, religions promote peace and harmony. My primary gripe, for lack of a better word, is when one person’s beliefs are forced upon others. I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools through high school. I was even an alter boy for years, (I never miss a chance to point that out, as if that service earns me a get out of jail free card) so I was indoctrinated as well. Still, questions remain. Ray
You are welcome, glad to help
Thanks again, Bashar, for the use of your photo. The arms outstretched toward that dramatic sky is just what I envisioned for this post.
Ray
To my site visitors: check out http://www.radiantguy.com/ to view more of his wonderful photography.
There is nothing wrong with having questions, doubts or fears. There is also nothing wrong with having a confidence in one’s religious beliefs. The problems come when people belittle others for not feeling the way they do. I believe we all progress spirtitually at different speeds.
I admire people of all faiths for their integrity in living the standards of their chosen religion. I admire people of all faiths for being brave enough to share their religious experiences with others and having tolerance for other’s opinions.
Unfortunately there are people who are as you described in this post. I’m guessing this intolerance for your religious position has caused you to question more and feel negative feelings. I’m sorry this has been your experience. I think that those who belittle and berate are insecure with their beliefs and can’t handle the thought that someone does not believe the way that they do. They freqently think “if there is someone who does not believe it; is it true?”
I believe in a loving God and a loving Savior. I believe that God knows all His children by name. He knows everything about us and He loves us unconditionally. I don’t believe God expects us to fail or to feel confused. I think that if anyone has any questions they should pray. I believe God will answer because He loves us and He wants us to know. I believe that there are answers to all the questions we have. We just have to be willing to ask and listen for the answer.
Good morning Tristan,
Surely, having confidence in one’s faith is what would be expected. Faith without confidence doesn’t even make any sense. People place so much emphasis in their beliefs because, to them, the fate of their afterlife hangs in the balance. What more personal and serious an issue could there be?
It’s not intolerance that I question; rather it’s the exclusivity of religions. The issue that I attempted to raise with my friend may be better explained like this. Two good people of different faiths will have vastly different experiences after death simply because of the faith that they’ve chosen to follow. Given that the majority of people are born into their faiths, this virtually eliminates choice, which is an important concept in all religions. Taken a step further, generations of people who continue family traditions by indoctrinating their children in their religious beliefs have, in effect, either set their young on a path toward salvation, or toward the loss of their eternal souls. This makes no sense to me.
I’ve known good people who believe in many different religions. Goodness is not the exclusive domain of any religion, including my own.
It’s not people or their beliefs that cause me to question; it’s my capacity for reason. You profess a strong belief and that’s good, but I recognize that the faith of others in their religions may be just as strong, and true, and heartfelt. I would no more discount their beliefs than I would yours. That’s not why I wrote the post.
A world where each believes as they see fit without imposing those beliefs on others is a pipe dream, to be sure, but it remains an endpoint that I envision. Your second paragraph encapsulates a similar vibe:
“I admire people of all faiths for their integrity in living the standards of their chosen religion. I admire people of all faiths for being brave enough to share their religious experiences with others and having tolerance for other’s opinions.”
Beautiful.
So you see, we, like most people, are closer to understanding one another than we give ourselves credit for. It’s the “I’m right so you’re wrong” doctrine of many that ensures that friction between religions will unfortunately continue to exist, as it always has.
Tristan, I know that you prefer to avoid commenting on controversial subjects, so I appreciate that you’ve chosen to add your insights to this discussion. It probably wasn’t easy for you.
Thanks,
Ray
Hi Ray,
You have said a lot to clarify your original points and I appreciate that. You have also reiterated a lot of points I was trying to make but maybe I wasn’t very clear in how I said it. Yes, this is a “controversial” subject but it’s one I feel strongly about.
I don’t believe that God would watch His children raise generations of people following family traditions, as you put it, and fault them in any way for that. I believe that each person will be judged according to how they lived their life knowing what they know. So if someone “mistakenly” followed the “wrong religion” they would be judged on the principles espoused in their religion. Did that person live the laws, principles, and standards set by their religion and not their own perceived moral code in the moment they made a choice for good or bad. That, to me, is the question that will be asked on Judgment Day. The laws of Justice and Mercy will be applied appropriately and fairly. It makes no sense to me to imagine it otherwise.
If there is one way, and I believe there is, to get back to God, it would only be fair for Him to make that one way achievable to those who didn’t have an opportunity to find it in this life. What God could possibly damn His children for their ignorance?
You talked of exclusivity with religious groups. I believe you already know I’m Mormon but your readers may not. This is a religion that is often perceived as exclusive. It’s not. We extend an open invitation to anyone interested in knowing more. More than that, we do proxy work for those who have passed on from this life without having had the opportunity to participate in those sacred ordinances before passing on. We believe that God wants all of His children to return home and that He has provided a way for that to happen. If proxy work has been done and that deceased individual is not interested in accepting it, they have that choice. Everyone always has a choice in everything, which I believe is a beautiful blessing. I don’t have to believe the things I have been taught. I was born and raised Mormon and I know I don’t have to do anything if I don’t want to. I choose to live the life I do.
I stand behind what I said earlier. I really respect people who live their religion. Mormons and non Mormons included. There will always be those who have a superior attitude for their beliefs. I hope I’m not one of them. I don’t believe I am.
Tristan
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