It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
There are two strong beliefs that I have that are shared with my closest family but with few other of my family or friends. The first is atheism. I do not believe there is a god and consider all the churches, shrines and sacrifices that man has made over the ages as a complete waste of resources. When I toured Italy and Turkey, I was struck with how much our ancestors spent on what are to me completely bogus beliefs. On the other hand, I also believe that we should be completely compassionate toward people in the world less fortunate than we and do not begrudge the comfort religious beliefs can provide to well-meaning believers. It is when these religious beliefs take the form of manipulating the ignorant to enhance the power of the "priestly" class that I resent and regret the seemingly inborn tendency toward grasping for supernatural explanations of the natural world. A key event in the promulgation of Christianity was Constantine's conversion and promotion of Christianity in 300 AD or so. I often wonder how the world would be different if he had not done so. Then I think about the fact that most of the world's religions have as a basic tenet, love one another, and that this basic concept becomes so lost in ritual rigmarole as the religion develops, it might not have made a lot of difference if another religion had assumed the prominence of Christianity. So, two strong beliefs, atheism and that empathy and compassion could change the world to a better place if applied. Unfortunately, other than talk, I've done very little actively to live these beliefs....My immediate family however, does share my atheism so maybe I've had some effect at least....
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