“Start to think about it and immediately you are mistaken. It is like the boundless void, which can’t be fathomed or measured.”
I’ve been thinking about the discussion we had today in class for like the last eight hours. I don’t have strong and conservative religious convictions, so it’s really interesting to hear from those who do. Belief in an afterlife is egotistical? Our morality isn’t a ticket into heaven, but affection towards God? What is heaven and hell? Where is heaven and hell? What the hell does it matter anyway? Like the quote says, I start to think about it all and I think I know what I think and how I feel and then I think about something else that makes me think about it all from a completely different angle. The interesting thing about taking this class and reading this book is that the more I know and understand, the less I know and understand. But perhaps not understanding is understanding. Why is it so hard to just admit to ourselves that we don’t know? Why do we feel the need to debate people on an argument that is impossible to win? Why are we so quick to point out who is a Christian or a Jew or an Atheist? Why are we so quick to point out everything that the other person or faith is doing wrong? When is the last time any of us looked at another human being and just saw a human being instead of seeing a sin/fault we could point out? Human beings always seem to want the world to be in black and white. Yes or no. Right or wrong. I’m beginning to think more and more that when it comes to God and religion, it isn’t black, white, or even grey. It just is or it just is not. I don’t think it is something that can or ever will be answered and I don’t think that is something we need to worry or feel guilty about. After all, if these concepts were easily measured and understood, Pharisees would have been out of a job and Jesus wouldn’t have had to speak in parables.
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I was just today trying to explain to my Chistian friend how I didn't think I believed the Bible, and in fact, I don't think that Jesus is/was the actal Son of God. She cried. But I also don't think I'm going to a hell, if there is a heaven/hell place. I don't understand why we have to necessarily label ourselves either. Can't we just say that we believe in some higher power and get over all the silly discrepancies that people like to argue about?
ReplyDeleteI really like what you had to say and can relate to a lot of it. I also don't have strong religious convictions but for me I think it is interesting to find out if a person is (as you said) a Jew, Chritian, or Athiest because I think their viewpoint is interesting. I am also fascinating with different traditions that have been handed down and wondering why they are done.
ReplyDeleteI do find it interesting that one of the themes that many of the writings in this book share is the idea that we should let things go and not question God because he is already within us, just let Him in. But the interesting part is that the super religious people seem to try so hard and search for Him. And (as you said) they point out things that other faiths are doing wrong, it is just the opposite of what all religions teach.