The Encarta Dictionary defines dynamic as: "being full
of energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of purpose and able, both to get things
going and to get things done."
I think it
would be fair to say that Religion is a dynamic enterprise on so many levels.
Scores of entities and branches have developed over thousands of years both
remaining the same throughout history and changing drastically as the centuries
pass. It has been an elusive creature in a sense, being difficult to understand
or define or even identify for many observers yet easily obtainable to so many.
How can something be so much to some and nothing to others?
The very
existence of a power that can both attract and deter is the reason for its
divisional qualities among populations. In order to participate certain
personal and external traits have to be present within a community. I truly
don't see a person, having minimal contact with others, obtaining and
practicing any established religion. You have to observe it, grow with it and become
involved. Often, there is a carnal need to fill a spiritual desire.
All of the
personal things we allow ourselves to experience that are used to enhance our
lives and make us happiest become as important as mere survival techniques as
our lives progress. Sometimes religion becomes intertwined with other practices:
the way we gather with others, treat our spouses, dance or even give birth. It's
often all-encompassing and that can make it difficult for some to accept.
There is no
middle ground between practicing religion or not. Unlike other personal
endeavors, a neutral zone was never allowed to exist. Take music, for example.
You can either play an instrument or not and are not usually judged one way or
the other depending on your involvement. If you practice spirituality, you may
be judged and more astounding, if you don't practice you may be even more
harshly judged. It's all just strange, as though this particular practice has
been elevated to a functional status among groups and those left standing
contentedly on the sidelines are bewildered.
When
something is elevated to such an majestic, functional status among a group of
people yet another group does not desire to comply, a division will ultimately
take place. Another gesture of grandeur will be created that rivals the first
or a position of non-existence may be embraced.
Owners of all three positions must vie for superiority. We can blame our
human evolution for this phenomenon. We always want what others have but if we aren't
at the helm, we feel inferior somehow. This is the root of the chain of
intolerance.
I see the
extreme culmination of this phenomenon happening today when I try to understand
the function of mega churches and holy wars. Why is money amassed in such huge
quantities and why are personal religious guidelines forced on non-believers?
Looking back throughout history, I can find examples of this happening over and
over so this is not a new occurrence. And the non-believers are not a newly
created group. There have always been Atheists. From knowing this, I can make a
few good assumptions and have tried relentlessly to steer clear of being
involved in any sense within this serious disagreement. I just can't endorse it
as a beneficial exercise.
We have
survived living within the throes of religion versus non-religion since the
beginning of time as people searched for ways to explain the things they didn't
understand. I believe today's world is no exception. Our world is unstable and
we are divided amongst ourselves. The religious are fiercely trying to use
their tools of trade to understand these differences and sometimes that need is
so strong and fearful that they see total conquest of superiority as the only
final remedy. The Atheists just want to be left alone, in peace but realize
they will actually have to fight for that and the circle continues. When will
it ever end?
When I am
voicing my personal thoughts on this whole atrocity, those on the side of
Atheism, I am not taking a stance against anything, but rather for my ability
to be apart from something. I should have that right without a fight of course,
but I think we have proven that this will not be allowed. The machine is too
large and the fuel too plentiful to stop running over me. I feel its weight no
matter how far I run away. When will the barrier of my neutral zone appear?
If we can
do anything to stop this insanity and to stop the hatred and especially the
fear between the religious and non-religious by bringing the practice back to a
quiet, personal level I believe we could root out the criminals who hijack the
entire system for their own personal gain. We need to separate the truly faithful
from the religious zealots and annihilate the latter altogether. ISIS, fanatical
Christians, untaxed mega churches, false prophets and the like have to go.
Whose war is this, exactly? Certainly not Atheists. Change has to come from
within and I call upon the faithful to recognize and fix this problem.
As an
Atheist, and a person in love with the human condition, I stand fully behind to
support you. I want you to love your life and I want you to be happy. But I
want the same for myself. You are strong in your convictions. I feel you can be
just as strong and rise to the occasion of tolerance. Rid yourselves of those
who claim to share your beliefs and strive to prove it by criminal means.
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