Hey, you, stop giving a bad name to things that describe me!
This thought is nothing new, and I have surely talked about it before; but a movie (about to be released) has re-roused my passion for the topic. That movie is Religulous.
I want to explain, right off, that I am not in any way trying to belittle this film, start a boycott, or even say it is wrong in its message. In fact, I find the idea of the film to be a sobering one, especially for those who have faith in more than this mortal coil.
I recently watched an interview with Bill Maher, in which he explained that there are two basic kinds of religious people, 1) those who have hardcore faith, but know next to nothing about what they believe, and 2) those who know everything about what they believe, but exhibit weak faith (or blatantly admit that they're very possibly wrong). This is the common view that anyone who is smart enough will realize the stupidity of faith in the supernatural.
Something like %16 of people do not "have faith" (oh what a wonderfully vague phrase that is) according to the film, and Mr. Maher wants better representation of those people instead of religiosity being an assumed essential part of being in government, being moral, etc.
How can all the religious fanatics, the crazies, the violently zealous be the ones who control laws, set up appropriate behavior for family life, or quite literally get away with murder?
My basic problem is that (and I'll bring this close to home so as not to offend too many people) Christians are making Christianity stupid. No, I don't think that they are making it look stupid for having belief, or desiring a relationship with an invisible being, or anything of the sort. Christians are making Christianity stupid because they will jump headfirst into discussions, political positions, and alienating moral views because "that's what the Bible says." Most Christians have no ethical theory, theological training, hermeneutic understanding, etc, etc, etc.
Christians will jump on any bandwagon their pastor tells them to. They will vote for any presidential candidate who professes "Christian ideals." They will chastise those who go against biblical law, all the while committing secret sins of their own.
My point is that most people of faith are either too ignorant to show that their beliefs are not delusions of grandeur, or are too jaded to exhibit any sort of zeal for faith in something that, if true, is absolutely wonderful. Most people of faith hand people like Bill Maher a bat and say, "hit me."
What I wish (and I know this will never happen) is that people would do one of two things, either 1) actually take an interest in the thing that is supposed to be the most important part of their life, do some studying, and be ready to intelligently explain why they believe what they believe, or 2) simply admit that they are not well studied in the area, but that they have faith anyway, and therefore understand that they should not make sweeping generalizations or become fanatical about topics that they are totally ignorant in.
Don't think those are the only two options? Imagine a scientist who bases all his research on the theoretical hypothesis of string theory; but when you ask him why, he replies, "oh, I just believe it." Then imagine trying to argue that quantum theory is right and string theory is wrong, and this scientist (who has no basis or backing for his theory other than faith) becoming belligerently angry, saying you are wrong (though he can't say why), and accusing you of being ignorant.
Would you take that? No, of course not. Why? Because (despite string theory being a hypothesis) it's science, and saying, "just cuz" isn't good enough. Well the same thing goes for religion. If you are going to tell someone that they are wrong for what they believe, or that they must believe in a certain thing, you had better have some good reasons why you are right (and no, "um, because the Bible says so" is not a good enough answer.
I'm sick and tired of telling people I am a Christian and getting that look that says, "oh, heh, riiiight, let's change the subject before I offend your simple sensibilities." I almost feel like telling people, "I'm a Christian, but not one of the stupid ones."
On a final note, I'm not trying to take all faiths down a peg. I'm simply trying to point out that if you get angry by things like movies mocking your faith, take a look at yourself before accusing others. Also, no, not everyone falls into the categories of stupid with faith or smart without faith. I have, well, faith, that people will start putting a little more effort into their beliefs.
3 comments:
I wonder if there's something about religion in general (and perhaps Christianity specifically) that attracts people who are looking to be told what to do so that they don't have to use their brains, or if the ratio of stupidity in religious and non-religious people is about equal. It could be that humanity in general is just pre-disposed to be dumb.
well, aaron, in your case, it seems like you're talking about what the wealthy, elite portion of humanity has turned religion into. regardless of the religion, we've seen the same acts of stupidity caused by an underlying factor of "if we can do this, we'll get more power." E.g. The Crusades, Jihadists, electing G.W. - TWICE. taking advantage of the fact that people DO indeed have a need to believe in something beyond themselves has been going on since the beginning.
oh and grant, that look you are talking about is horrible. it makes me wanna cry. the fact that it happens brings a new meaning to the idea of apologetics, doesn't it? the thing is (and this is indeed biblical, oh no!), that those of us seeing the error in the ways our Christian brethren, or the entirely-too-blind-of-faith for someone to attack another's that the educated, have the responsibility to correct it. we can apologize and explain to those outside of the faith all that we want to, but until there is a change within the faith, there will be no way to believe that could be true. -end- :)
Yeah. It seems like a losing battle sometimes. I was just at work the other night and a huge "discussion" broke out about gay marriage. One worker is Catholic and she was trying to get her views across. I wanted so badly to jump in because she and the opposing side were both using such cliched and broken arguments. I don't pretend to think that I could change their minds in seconds; but at least I could set straight that not every Christian is a hardcore-straightedge-rightwing-nutjob who will do anything to win and not listen to logic.
sigh...
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