by Mike Madrid
There has always been a basic need in humans to find an answer to the big questions—where did we come from, why are we here, what happens to us when we die? For thousands of years, religions have served the purpose of answering these questions, and given people a set of rules by which to live.
So, here’s the deal—we’re part of a group. Call us liberals, call us progressive thinkers, democrats, independents, moderates, whatever. The specific label isn’t important. Some of us don’t even want a label. The main thing we have in common is that we share similar values, and qualities. We’re for equality, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion. We support things like better education, the arts, equal pay of women, gay marriage, and a woman’s right to choose. We believe the global warming is something that is actually happening, and not some fabrication that Al Gore came up with.
We consider ourselves intelligent, either as a result of schooling or from being self-taught. We firmly believe in evolution. The facts are there. We know dinosaurs existed, and they’re not in the Bible, so something doesn’t add up. We’re committed to our beliefs, but we’re not fanatics. The other side plays the fanatical role, in our opinion—the religious right, the conservatives, the creationists. We consider ourselves more cerebral and rational. And although we might not admit it, we feel intellectually superior to them.
It can begin to sound like a cliché, but we do the right thing. We try to be politically correct, and respect others’ rights and opinions. We recycle. We try to shop at independent bookstores, although we’d rather get a good deal on Amazon. We buy our groceries at farmer’s markets or Whole Foods. We listen to NPR. We try to see foreign movies. We lead what we believe to be the “right” kind of life.
So, where does the question of something greater enter this picture? Call it “God”. Call it whatever is out there that may have created the universe. A force that may be having an effect on our lives every day. “God” usually comes attached to a religion. And we have seen how religions can deny people their freedom because they don’t align with a certain set of rules. And we’ve seen how the other side —the right, the conservatives, whatever you want to call them —uses religion as a justification to enforce their rules.
So, where does that question of “something greater” fit into your life? Do you just dismiss it, because you know that science has proved how the world was created? And if that’s the case, what keeps you moving forward? So many people draw their inspiration and motivation from that idea of “something greater”. If you don’t have that, what propels you forward? What keeps you living for tomorrow, and following what you feel is the right path. What gives you your moral compass? What is your “God”?
Or, if you have incorporated a concept of “something greater” into your life (a “God” if you will), what does that look like? Is it a personal relationship that works for you? And how do you reconcile your concept with the reality of belief systems that oppress or judge those that they consider “sinners”?
This is about you. And what your “God” is. It’s not about what you think motivates other people, or why other people act a certain way or believe certain things. If you just want to rant about organized religion, we’re probably not going to be a match. We’ve all heard enough about that. But if you want to talk about you, and how you feel about this topic, please contact me — email Mike.