R2 Thoughts for You Religion and My Sister
God is all that we don’t know!?
I had a conversation with my sister, recently, and she said: “Ron, you should blog about religion.” At first I thought, why should I, since I have no real strong feelings for religion like she does. I know she believes in the teachings of religion (I think this is called faith for many) and the gospel is a form of truth.
Well, if anything, I am most likely agnostic. Then again, I’m not sure if I should be placed in that category anymore than to say I am a atheist or a “believer.” I don’t believe I’m a atheist. I’m not sure I’m agnostic. Am I a believer??? What does it mean to be a believer?
I have often used the statement that; “God is all that we don’t know.” I’m not sure who to attribute that quote to. I don’t believe it’s an original, but I’m not sure. I guess it’s the same with religion — I don’t believe but I’m not sure. What does that mean???
What is God? Salman Rushdie once said that if we are to believe in God then God must “show up.” I suppose he has a point. With all of the technology we now have, surely someone would have at least a picture of God by now.
There has been a lot of stuff “generated” about religion. One that comes to mind is George Carlin’s routine of Religion is Bullshit. And, routines have been done on YouTube about atheists. Religion is an important “something” in human life. What is it?
Literally, what is IT? I’m not asking about Information Technology. I’m asking about this seemingly deep drive that humans have to be “spiritual.”
Spiritualness and/or religion seem to me to be at the center of most wars, political beliefs, families, etc.. Is what’s at the center important?
So many questions. For every answer there seems to be two new questions. There is sort of a “thought” mitosis going on in my mind. Yikes!
What do you think?
R2 Thoughts for You 
Ron,
Religion is complicated and I can see why you have questions. I thought I might share this to simply things for you.
Ten Commandments Simplified
Some people have trouble with all those ‘shall’s’ and ‘shall not’s’ in the Ten Commandments. Folks just aren’t used to talking in those terms. So, in middle Tennessee they translated the ‘King James’ into ‘ Jackson County ‘ language…..no joke (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro , TN).
(1) Just one God
(2) Put nothin’ before God
(3) Watch yer mouth
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin’
(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(6) No killin’
(7) No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal
(8) Don’t take what ain’t yers
(9) No tellin’ tales or gossipin’
(10) Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff
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Uh oh, now I’ve found religion and politics on your blog, Ron (Dad). This could get ugly. (just kidding) :P
I had to comment on this one though, especially since I am your daughter and I was raised with no real sense of religion in the household. This is not a criticism, especially due to the fact that I, too, am one of those “deep thinker” types who can’t help but obsessively over-analyze such topics. Don’t forget that I have neither encouraged nor discouraged spirituality in my own children’s upbringing. I’ve always felt their spirituality was their own business, as I think you did with me.
Having said that, I need to note that I have ALWAYS felt the “presence” of God in my life….from my earliest memories. I have ALWAYS felt drawn towards Christianity and a spiritual connection with the Son of God who I believe died for our sins. Why do I believe this? Me, this over-analyzer, this woman who is always trying to think in a logical “real-world” way?
The only word for it is Faith. Though I have several (exceptionally personal) experiences that in my own mind/heart/soul proved His existence to me….the bottom line is that I believe. I simply believe in a Higher Power/God/Allah/Creator that thought this whole thing up, and gave us our will, our right and prerogative to think and discuss such topics along with so many more blessings (like the seasons, love, children, art, music, etc). Regardless of my analytical mind, I see a higher power in all of this.
And regardless of whether or not this belief is one that proves to be true in the end (a.k.a. when I die)…..it’s one that comforts me, and is ingrained in my soul. This coming from a girl who wasn’t raised with much religion, spirituality or faith yet felt the tug all along.
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Wow!
Two nice and interesting comments from a friend and my daughter.
Since my goal is “writing for learning” perhaps I should add “reading for learning.”
Thanks, and keep them coming!
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