I haven't made a secret of the fact that I watch American Idol - faithfully online the day after the show. For me it's up there (almost) with The Voice and X Factor. But I made the mistake of following one of the finalists on Twitter. This particular finalist also likes to retweet comments from other finalists so my observations from following him aren't necessarily based on one person.
One observation: Vacuous! Really. I know these "idols" are pretty young but still - tweets about shoes and hairdos and every second one is praising god for something or other.
And that leads me to thought number two for today. When I listen to Americans or read what they have to say - and I mean Americans other than Jon Stewart and the latest scientist du jour - ordinary, everyday Americans, I am struck by their strong similarity to ordinary, everyday people who live in the Middle East.
Truly, Christians and Muslims have so much in common they really should unite and become one sect. Both are fanatically god-centered - they pray for everyone and everything and leave their lives in the hands of this being they invented. It's beyond all reason.
I often find it hard to believe that reasonably intelligent human beings can still, in today's world, worship a god.
I'm not saying there is no such thing as spirit, but that's very different from some all-encompassing being who controls the world and sides with people in war and sends retribution down from above.
But there we are - that's America and Iran (and Iraq and Afghanistan).
Meanwhile, I still enjoy American Idol but I think I'll stick to the singing and judging and leave it at that.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one Goody. This is far too deep a topic to discuss in an online format.
ReplyDeleteObserving the same world with the same wonder, respect and awe that I know you have, I can't imagine that there ISN'T a divine power that we can't begin to understand.
I'm hardly a religious fanatic, just someone with a quiet faith that accepts and embraces each person's understanding and sense of the divine, different though it might be to mine. As long as people have a respect for other's beliefs, and insofar as they don't trod on others rights and freedoms, and have a true sense of right, wrong and justice, then believe what you want, for my money.
But please- just because you don't agree with or can't understand why someone would believe in a greater power, please don't be condescending-- intentional or not-- toward those of us who DO believe.
Until you've walked a mile in someone's shoes, you cannot know or understand what experiences they may have had to form the faith they have (or lack thereof). Your comment of: "I often find it hard to believe that reasonably intelligent human beings can still, in today's world, worship a god." is hurtful to those of us with faith. There are a great many like me, who accept those who aren't believers just as readily as we accept those who are.
I cannot speak for you because I can't possibly understand your life experiences any more than I can anyone's, other than my own.
And just be sure you don't make the wrong assumption about me-- in my spirituality and faith, science and a belief in a deity go hand in hand, and are not at odds with each other.
As for world religions, they represent some of the very best(who does much of the heavy lifting with comforting the poor and hungry and homeless and sick and hopeless?) and the very worst in human behaviour (I don't need to make a list here, it's that obvious). But let's not tar all thing religious with the brush of hypocrisy, hate and greed, as is so easy to do. I never have an issue with my God (though the reverse is often true no doubt). The problem is some of God's cheerleaders, regardless of the team or the uniforms.
I'm usually not one to speak out about things like this, but I'm always saddened when such incredibly complex issues get painted in black and white broad strokes. Perhaps we'll take a long walk (ok, not long by YOUR standards :) and talk of things spiritual. The ground we walk might become common.
I love what you wrote and agree with almost all of it. We are really not that far apart. I consider myself spiritual - not religious. And I think we'd probably have a lovely talk on a long walk. :)
ReplyDelete"I often find it hard to believe that reasonably intelligent human beings can still, in today's world, worship a god." is hurtful to those of us with faith. There are a great many like me, who accept those who aren't believers just as readily as we accept those who are."
ReplyDeleteScott of the Forest: I hear you. And I do regret that you feel offended by Goody's thoughts and comments. I think Goody is too kind. The fact that believers have, fairly recently, started to tolerate us nonbelievers, and refrain from telling us to our faces that we will burn in Hell for eternity because we fail to accept their God as a reality, this fact does not prevent me from wondering how obviously intelligent people can claim to believe the contradictory statements they tell me they believe.
I am sorry if you hear this as offensive. I really don't think most believers are stupid. I just don't understand how they can look at reality and tell me with sincerity that their loving God takes an interest in human affairs, favours one nation over another, one combatant over another, one form of sexuality over another.
Now, either we are allowed to discuss reality, including our failure to understand these beliefs, or we are to be inoffensive and keep our opinions to ourselves. I will do that when all the believers, even the ones who accept and tolerate us nonbelievers, stop praising their imaginary friend and spreading their beliefs. I'm as entitled to my beliefs as you are, and just as entitled to express them.
Again, sorry if this makes you feel stupid. But that's your problem, not mine.