I am constantly struck by how Christian most Western Atheism is. To quote myself "It is not that Atheists have no god that I have a problem with, many religions have no god, but that they have no religion".
Most religions grew up with "belief" in what was "common knowledge" in their time and culture. The God, or gods resided in the most impressive local landmark, and "religion" was seamless with the rest of existence.
As non western societies grew, their religions grew in place, and great thought was spent in the nature of society and the best way to operate within it.
As Rome was a hodgepodge of such groups, and there was a political class that wished to use Religion as a method of creating power for themselves, religion became something separate from location and culture, and took on the need for enforced "belief" in what could be observationally disproved, or illogical, as well as much that seemed unlikely, and self promoting by those in charge.
Some like "Secular Humanists" have attempted to accomplish an Atheistic Religion, but managed the worst of all cases. The most grievous crime perhaps, of attaching the word "Secular" to a religion, and thus giving Fundies cause to demand equal time with such Secular pursuits as Chess, or Cricket. But also in its antitheist dogmatism, becomes a jihad against other religions and invites the same, but still glosses over those ethics concepts that the Fundies have dodged to keep from accusing themselves.
Confucian thinking is intensely Chinese, and based on an anti Democratic, anti freedom, Imperial mode. It does however offer a glimpse of what a religion can be, that demands no fantasy but an ideal that all humans can aspire to, and methods to make life better for all.
Unfortunately like a Cult that combines celebrating free thought and many opinions, with individual freedom, it is a great challenge to accomplish.
Those concepts are not antithetical to faith either. As a Christian, I believe in respecting and honoring the beliefs (or non-belief) of others, whether or not they agree with mine.
ReplyDeleteIn this particular case I was speaking primarily of many contemporary Atheists, being very narrow by treating the Christian God as impossible, and the many anachronistic reality descriptions as obviously foolish, therefore all religion is useless.
ReplyDeleteIt has long been a fantasy of mine that we could grow a religion that was not obsessive of a distant land, or at odds with scientific reality, able to grow by discussion rather than dogmatism, and still provide the positive aspects that religions often have.
Like Confucianism, it would indeed be possible that a Christian or any person could embrace it, if they were not too dogmatic about the provably inaccurate (creationism as example). That would be the discussion part.
What would not be a good thing is to just add another tribe to a world tribal war that has too many sides already.
BTW it is only those who use their religious dogma as proof of their ability to disrespect, and indeed subjugate, anyone who thinks differently from them that has my virulent opposition.
There are many such groups, but the biggest threat to Americans, rather than Islamists, are the Dominionists who believe themselves Christian.
I fully agree. You might want to check my editorial series called 'The Religious Left'.
ReplyDeleteI like your articles! You are very good at articulating your perspective and hey... I happen to agree with you!
ReplyDeleteRegarding religion, there are a few who try to avoid the dogma of Christianity/Muslim/Buddhism, etc. I went to a wonderful "church" outside of San Diego which taught that there were many paths to the top of the mountain, and each path had it's own unique beauty and hazards, yet they were all on the same mountain, heading for the same peak. This church also was excellent at reconciling science and religion, understanding that the two are not mutually exclusive. Rather they study the realm of metaphysics and quantum physics as part of the overall spiritual nature of humans.
When I moved away from San Diego, I went to other churches that belonged to the same philosophy, but the ministers belief were always different, which would skew the basic concepts. I'm still looking for a spiritual leader who I can relate to and relate with.
For less dogmatic spiritual principals, check out churches like Unitarian/Universilist, Religious Science (the church I found in San Diego), or Unity - although Unity tends to lean to close to Christianity for my taste, they are liberal and do not exclude anyone from joining them.
It was great chatting with you last night in Thom's chatroom. :-)
Kelly in Portland