In my last blog it was pointed out that I made some very pointed statements based on Christian assumptions. I’m not going to back track on what I said because it’s what I believe.
I do want to say that everyone starts with some basic assumptions in life. I assume that when I say things, the Bible and Christ are truths. You may assume that the only truth is what you can touch or sense. There are plenty of assumptions you make on a daily basis without thinking about it. You wake up and automatically assume that you’re going to get up, start moving, breathing and carrying out your day. You assume that you’re going to make it through your day without dying. You assume that your car will start up whenever you get in it. You assume that when you talk to someone they will immediately understand you.
Assume: “1. To take for granted or without proof; suppose; postulate; posit”
So since everyone has assumptions about the way life works, and about God (one way or another) I think it’s safe to say that everyone has a religion. Now you’re gonna say, “Whoa whoa whoa, I’m an atheist, agnostic, or some other form of someone who believes in no God. I cannot have a religion. In fact I don’t believe in religion, and everyone who has one is a wimp with a crutch. I rely on nothing.”
What’s the definition of religion?
Religion: “A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe,”
Ok that’s great you can continue to be in self denial for a while.
So basically a person’s religion is built upon their assumptions. There are no cold hard facts concerning the beginning of the universe. Everything is a theory. I know, I believe the bible is true and so therefore I must believe in creation, which I do, but that doesn’t make sense to you. So I assume the bible is true and that makes my belief in the beginning of the universe a theory just like yours. Neither one of us were there to tell the other one how it happened. Now we’re on a level playing field.
You and I aren’t so different after all. We both have beliefs in the “cause, nature, and purpose of the universe” and those beliefs are based upon assumptions.
We both have religions, just with different view points, and with different starting points. I believe that there is an eternity; a place called heaven and hell. That we were born into sin and every single person must make a choice to be rescued from that sin. There is only one way that can happen and that is through believing in Jesus Christ, it’s a free gift and there isn’t any way you can earn it or buy it. Christianity isn’t a cure all, it isn’t a guarantee life will get better or easier or that you won’t trip up. It’s a promise that you’re going to spend eternity with God.
Don’t count out what I believe solely on the belief that yours are the right ones and mine are the wrong ones. The closed minded term goes both ways.
So here is a question after reading your latest blog, and realize this is something that I have thought long and hard on, well before your blog post (you know me, always asking the questions which have no good easy answer):
If we are to assume that there is a god or gods, and that said god divinely inspired a literary work and set of beliefs for his/her/their people, wouldn’t the oldest religion that is still in existence today be the real religion? Some other scenarios are: said god’s religion died out, invalidating the idea of god; god created everything, let people come up with their own ideas of god, and then chose to present himself – again, pretty lame.
With that said, eliminating the creation stories of each religion, the oldest religion still practiced today is Hinduism. So shouldn’t we as intellectuals (at least I consider myself an intellectual) pursue Hinduism? Or perhaps take the stance of arguably the most intelligent individual to date, Albert Einstein: “I believe in Spinoza’s God, who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world, not in a God Who concerns Himself with the fate and the doings of mankind.”
All I know is that if I was God, I would do things a little differently. First, this “free will” business has to go. Second, I would make a super-caffeine coffee-like drink, oh yeah.