It may seem curmudgeonly of me to be raising this issue at the beginning of the Advent season. But let me speak for the sake of full honesty, and from the unbiased perspective of a philosopher of religion. I felt it was time to give a balanced evaluation of my own faith, as well as the usual critique of those I find disagreeable. Perhaps, by doing so, I may help someone to understand what some of the issues are, and why they may want to choose one over another. At least, the example of constructing a list of pros and cons may encourage a reasonable discussion, and a similar treatment of other faiths. Honesty can't really hurt a heartfelt faith, but it might deepen our own core spirituality. And that can only be a good thing.
What's wrong with Christianity?
1. Pre-scientific world view
- pits creation vs evolution
- blames/credits God for natural events
- misunderstands the heavens
- disregards investigation & discovery
2. Denigrates living in this world
- otherworldly spirituality
- critiques economic success
- neglects self-defense
- promotes personal asceticism
3. Apocalyptic expectations
- war in Heaven between Good & Evil
- Earth as a battleground
- exclusive claims to salvation
- morality as contrast, white vs black
4. Lacks a compelling motivation
- fear is only a partial motivation
- unrealistic promises
- unverifiable afterlife expectations
- no clear path to a happy life
5. Short-circuits initiative
- expects otherworldly paradise
- fragmentary, ineffective sociology
- blames demonic influences
- suppresses challenges to authorities
What's right with Christianity?
1. Compassion for the oppressed
- helps to lift the burden of misfortune
- seeks ways to relieve afflictions
- refuses to impose prejudice
- adopts the outcast and neglected
2. Mercy for moral lapses
- refuses to judge harshly
- always gives another chance
- offers an education in ethics
- points out root causes
3. Survives imperial domination
- defuses evil by responding with good
- promotes service to others
- encourages cooperation
- builds trustworthy character
4. Sustains hope for a lifetime
- expect rewards in an afterlife
- is not afraid to suffer
- affirms a relationship with divinity
- encourages steadfast faith
5. Develops spiritual growth
- creates a moral perspective
- looks deeper than "the Law"
- seeks the betterment of others
- raises the expectations for humanity
Are there other, neglected questions?
1. Ultimate concerns
- how do we build value in this life?
- finding one's own niche in society
- respect for human rights
- encourage noble achievements
2. Visions of a sustainable future
- can we work in harmony with nature?
- clean up your own mess
- value nature as created beauty
- observe the world's optimum capacity
3. Intentional community & society
- build a married religious community
- a corporate, collective co-op village
- shared responsibilities & rewards
- joint efforts toward advancement
4. Progress in knowledge & technology
- beyond spiritual oversimplification
- science, engineering & mathematics
- astronomy, medicine & ecology
- mechanics, electronics & space
5. How do we encounter other faiths?
- seeking points of agreement
- comparison with similarity
- defusing issues of conflict
- recognizing spiritual aspirations
6. A variety of valid Ideals, not just one
- Truth, Freedom, Love & Wisdom
- competing situational claims
- different balances between cultures
- each demands full respect together
Of course, a similar list of pros and cons could be drawn up for any religion, simply because they are static constructions. Most might even have a few shared good points and problems. This happens as a rule, because Humanity's cultures are continually changing, and yet we still face many of the same challenges.
"The poor you will have with you always." And yet, Daedalus has finally learned to fly. And in the future, we may find solutions, and problems, that are as yet unanticipated.
"May Adonai bless you and protect you! May Adonai deal kindly and graciously with you! May Adonai lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace!" (Torah, Numbers 6:24-26) And Jesus said, "Allow the little children to come unto me. Forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Truly, I say unto you, unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a little child does, you shall not enter therein." (New Testament, Mark 10:14-16)
Sojourning at an Oasis Paradise
My purpose for living this life, and for writing this blog, is to understand the faith that links us to God. I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all of the world's religions. This is an immense task, but I know that God also has faith in us, trusting that we do desire the truth, as well as freedom, love and wisdom. Thus, as always, He meets us halfway. Even as God has given us individual souls, so we must each of us trace out an individual pathway to God. Whether we reside in the cities of orthodox religion, or wend our solitary ways through the barren wastelands, God watches over us and offers us guidance and sustenance for the journey.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
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