Spring Break
Take a good, long look at your faith, religious beliefs
Josh Rosenblatt
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Commentary
There are no cameras or tape recorders on you. You have no one to impress at the moment, and no constituency to play to. You are not speaking to Bill O'Reilly or Keith Olbermann. Right now, whether you are sitting in class or bumming points off your friends in the Union, you must ask yourself an important question with complete sincerity and truth.
Do you believe in God? And if so, why?
The subject of religion and faith is one of the most provocative topics anyone could debate. It leads to anything from wars to shouting arguments, defensive attitudes to philosophical discussions. Some people follow the stories and lessons of their religions with the utmost conviction, and others choose to gain some morals from its teachings. Regrettably, only a small minority of people choose to question those doctrines.
If there is anything you could glean here, I ask that you question your religion. As clichéd as that may sound, have you ever actually questioned the historical existence of Jesus, Moses or Muhammad, or the stories of their respective religious texts? Why do you believe in a higher spirit? What does faith in God do for you?
These are very simple questions - childish, even - but then, sometimes, simplicity is necessary for dissecting the most complex of issues.
Understandably, to question your religion is to question the framework of how you were raised. It is a scary thought to look back at square one of your life - the source of your moral development - and put that ideal to the test. To ask truly penetrating questions is in itself a scary notion, since not many people tend to ask meaningful questions; cognitive thought is too much of a hassle because it forces us to actually think. To believe in God is the simpler, nicer path to follow, and to question the non-religious is the easy way out.
But remember, I have not placed my faith or any sort of gut feeling in a source that is not proven to exist. There is the possibility that a higher power is there, but you cannot actually know. God will not exist any more when you make the game-winning shot or when you bomb your final exam. If you fail, you have no one to pin your sorrows on other than yourself for not studying (or in some cases, a sadistic professor). To curse your source of faith for not helping you when the chips are down only breeds within a person an inability to take responsibility for his or her actions.
Do you believe in God? And if so, why?
The subject of religion and faith is one of the most provocative topics anyone could debate. It leads to anything from wars to shouting arguments, defensive attitudes to philosophical discussions. Some people follow the stories and lessons of their religions with the utmost conviction, and others choose to gain some morals from its teachings. Regrettably, only a small minority of people choose to question those doctrines.
If there is anything you could glean here, I ask that you question your religion. As clichéd as that may sound, have you ever actually questioned the historical existence of Jesus, Moses or Muhammad, or the stories of their respective religious texts? Why do you believe in a higher spirit? What does faith in God do for you?
These are very simple questions - childish, even - but then, sometimes, simplicity is necessary for dissecting the most complex of issues.
Understandably, to question your religion is to question the framework of how you were raised. It is a scary thought to look back at square one of your life - the source of your moral development - and put that ideal to the test. To ask truly penetrating questions is in itself a scary notion, since not many people tend to ask meaningful questions; cognitive thought is too much of a hassle because it forces us to actually think. To believe in God is the simpler, nicer path to follow, and to question the non-religious is the easy way out.
But remember, I have not placed my faith or any sort of gut feeling in a source that is not proven to exist. There is the possibility that a higher power is there, but you cannot actually know. God will not exist any more when you make the game-winning shot or when you bomb your final exam. If you fail, you have no one to pin your sorrows on other than yourself for not studying (or in some cases, a sadistic professor). To curse your source of faith for not helping you when the chips are down only breeds within a person an inability to take responsibility for his or her actions.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Jack
posted 4/17/09 @ 9:42 AM EST
The author encourages readers to question their faith and their beliefs. If that were to happen, the world would be a better place. Most people, however, are incapable of the process, unable even to begin. (Continued…)
Yusuf
posted 4/17/09 @ 10:25 AM EST
I was raised a Christian and was quite active and involved growing, and often engaged in religious debates and discussions. During my mid-to-late teens I had somewhat of a crisis of faith and went around studying every religion I could in depth. (Continued…)
Q
posted 4/17/09 @ 3:56 PM EST
"...it is truly no more than blissful ignorance to have faith in a higher spirit."
"I may be no more correct in how this world functions than anyone else, but at least I do not pretend to know. (Continued…)
Bill Russell
posted 4/18/09 @ 9:48 PM EST
For those of you that want to participate in a group that questions religion and all it stands for please see the website, and if you agree and want to meet people of like mind please come to the Norwich Library this Thursday April 23rd at 7 PM in the community room. (Continued…)
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