Possession is the problem. We are a society rooted in notions of possession. I don't care if you smoke, cause its your idea, your decision. I don't want you to stop me from drinking cause its mine: it's my body. Or is it?
Does God have possession of my body? If there is no God, then am I simply renting my body from the dirt? And where will I ever be going anyway?
Possession and individuality. The two hand in hand. How do you hinder one without ruining the other? How can you have one without the other?
Individuality isn't the problem, or is it?
Does God have possession of my body? If there is no God, then am I simply renting my body from the dirt? And where will I ever be going anyway?
Possession and individuality. The two hand in hand. How do you hinder one without ruining the other? How can you have one without the other?
Individuality isn't the problem, or is it?
1 Comments:
This post got me thinking, especially the part pertaining to God, and a conversation I had yesterday. I would argue it is more a need for possessesion. Not neccessarily for any certain material item or desire, but for control. Possession of their ideas/beliefs and as important,that those ideals and beliefs are correct.
I think it has less to do with individuality. Possession, from a societal viewpoint, signifies power and, power means control.
We as friends often have conversations related to our search for faith,and our understanding of religion. From my observations of others outside my friend group, I've come to see that people tend to have these possessive feelings toward God.
I listen to one group who apparently believes they are the soul possessors of God's love and boast an exclusive relationship where only "they" have God's unending affection (radical Islaam). While at the same time they seek to consign others to perdition who believe differently. Is this not the most selfish act possible by a "believer". This belief acts as a box where they can place God for only them to share a spiritual intimacy. They don't wish to share his love with others, they want to horde/possess/control it.
Before this post comes across as an attack on Muslims, I feel it only fair to point out I find this true of most religions. Just yesterday, and I don't know how it came up, but Christianity became the topic of conversation with some people I had not met before. Each person had said the religion they were raised with, or currently practice. When I said Catholic, "the Baptist" was quick to point out that Catholics aren't Christians. While the remainder of this story was actually quite interesting to me I won't go into it here, but to say it just reaffirmed my belief that since the first monkey got ahold of the fire stick it has been a struggle for control over what "they know to be True". In this case "the Baptists" are correct and loved by God, and "the Catholics" are heathens to be cast to the embers should we not turn from our wickedness.
I don't really know where this is going but, it leads me to see the same thing in Christians as I see in radical Islaam. Religion is fundamentalism in motion. Radical will tell you to follow them or they will end your life and you'll go to hell. The Christian will tell you follow my teaching or when you die you will go to hell. Same story, different method.
All I see really happening is fundamentalist thought believed to be absolutely true, resultuing in complete lack of spiritual flexablility. Systems so rigid and fearful wall God up with his believers in that box, often crowded, and crowned with a dome or steeple.
Finally this brings me to your final statement about individuality, at least from the whole God standpoint. I am not sure I believe (forgive me if this is not exact) "Whoever believes in him will not be condemed, but whoever does not believe has already been condemed"(John something or other. Why would someone say this, unless to scare you into being good by threatening you with punishment in the afterlife.
I don't really believe in an afterlife as most people percieve it, however if it is that way, I doubt it will be given over to our chastisment. I am afraid that you'll have to be good on your own, without the threats. However incase you are looking for some reference points to living a good life I would direct you to the bible and Koran. It doesn't say anywhere that you have belive in God to be good. In my understanding of God, is he'll enter the world through you, whether you think he exists or not.
I would argue that these religions that invite division and intolerance can hardly be called "holy". Sometimes I wonder if society as a whole wouldn't be better off with out a concept of God or Allah or what have you.
dg
Sorry if this feels a little disjointed I kinda got off on a tangent
Post a Comment
<< Home