In his beautiful song, Imagine, John Lennon asked what if there's no heaven, countries or possessions. It's an interesting question because we each hold beliefs about life and death, right and wrong. It's a good thing to take our beliefs out of the closet from time to time to examine them in the light of a new day. What if...?
It's a question I've been asked by many a Christian. What if you're wrong about God and Jesus, they ask. Wouldn't you be better off believing in such things simply to cover your bases?
For me, this is an imbecilic argument. Believing in something half ass to "cover your bases" defeats the whole purpose in the belief. It places the focus on oneself, not on the thing or idea to be believed in. Besides, if there is a God, wouldn't one expect that he or she would easily see through such a guise?
There may be a God or some other supreme entity. Then again, there may not be. The way I see it is that none of us will know for certain until (or IF) the time comes. So, why waste time and energy now on trying to comprehend the incomprehensible?
While I will readily admit that the possibility exists that there is a supreme entity, most religious adherents refuse to play the "What if...?" game. If the tables are turned and you ask most of them, "What if there is no God nor heaven?", they seem incapable of fathoming that they could be wrong!
A few years ago I had an ongoing email exchange with two fundamentalist Christians in Salem, OR. They loved to play the "What if...?" game with me as long as each of them was asking the question. When I was the one asking the question, then the game was no longer considered fun. One of the gents steadfastly refused even to consider that he might be wrong -- He had talked with "God" many times, so he KNEW he was right. The other fellow simply went silent.
Regardless of one's beliefs, asking ourselves "What if...?" is a good exercise. If you don't ask the question, you never have a chance to grow. You become mired in a quagmire of your own creation.
It's a question I've been asked by many a Christian. What if you're wrong about God and Jesus, they ask. Wouldn't you be better off believing in such things simply to cover your bases?
For me, this is an imbecilic argument. Believing in something half ass to "cover your bases" defeats the whole purpose in the belief. It places the focus on oneself, not on the thing or idea to be believed in. Besides, if there is a God, wouldn't one expect that he or she would easily see through such a guise?
There may be a God or some other supreme entity. Then again, there may not be. The way I see it is that none of us will know for certain until (or IF) the time comes. So, why waste time and energy now on trying to comprehend the incomprehensible?
While I will readily admit that the possibility exists that there is a supreme entity, most religious adherents refuse to play the "What if...?" game. If the tables are turned and you ask most of them, "What if there is no God nor heaven?", they seem incapable of fathoming that they could be wrong!
A few years ago I had an ongoing email exchange with two fundamentalist Christians in Salem, OR. They loved to play the "What if...?" game with me as long as each of them was asking the question. When I was the one asking the question, then the game was no longer considered fun. One of the gents steadfastly refused even to consider that he might be wrong -- He had talked with "God" many times, so he KNEW he was right. The other fellow simply went silent.
Regardless of one's beliefs, asking ourselves "What if...?" is a good exercise. If you don't ask the question, you never have a chance to grow. You become mired in a quagmire of your own creation.
People can be so narrow-minded.
ReplyDeleteSo true (of all of us). I try to keep an open mind, but I know there are some topics I'm very close-minded about.
ReplyDeleteSOME topics? Oh Ramblin' Toast, you don't mean it!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. My G-d bless you and keep you in the new year.
Actually Nora, there are many topics. Though I don't celebrate Christmas, I thank you for the warm sentiments nonetheless. May you have a very happy Hanukkah too!
ReplyDeleteWe may rumble a bit over at SondraK.com, but I don't wish you or any others ill will. There are more things we share in common than where we differ.
I cant find anything we could agree on, but it has been interesting reading, here and over at SondraK's.
ReplyDeleteI assume wishing you success and health in the coming year will not offend.
LostLiberty
LostLiberty,
ReplyDeleteWouldn't life be boring if everyone agreed on everything? :-)
Happy holidays!