A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a blog of a person we'll call Sam, who no longer is affiliated with his religion. It happens to be the religion I affiliate myself with. I keep thinking about this, so I might as well type it out. AND BLOG IT.
My observation is as follows regarding myself and some people I have known or known of who "stray", "become inactive" or "leave The Church":
They don't leave.
They seemingly become more "active" than ever.
General Conference 2003. Who are those guys who passionately advocate against the conferencing religion? I bet you they're the ones who left but stayed. Usually, when people picket, they're advocating against one thing, but for another. Blockbuster, any given sleepless night. Browsing the aisles. A few movies here and there with familiar terms and concepts. Taken from the religion they "left". They still borrow it. They still are tied to it, trying to make sense of it to themselves and to the world in their own "creative" ways. And still, where's the discovery? Where's the new truth revealed? Surely you can come up with something other than a story about a gay missionary in his gay-opposing religion, and leave it at that.
Then there's this man's blog, chalk full of detailed and intricate posts basically orchestrated to prove the religion as misguided and misguiding. Studied out, referenced. Passionately exploring what he "left" behind.
I noticed that Sam and I have things in common. We're both human beings, we fear and have hang ups with occassional people's actions or reactions, and in this case, their sometimes confusing implications of gospel teachings and principles. People, including myself, are not always harmonious and aware, considerate and real. And that is to be expected. But why try to cast out the neighbor's beam when there's a mote in my own eye? I can't even see it, since it's on my face and I don't like looking too hard in the mirror. But it's most assuredly there. In some way, some form within the vast world of motes and beams. Motes are so small and yet so pervasive. Someone's huge beam of an offense is not huge enough to overshadow or preclude another's subtler mote of imperfection or offense, whatever it may be. So no point in judging or getting offended.
I think, based on reading Sam's carefully drawn out premises, that he would stay with his religion if he realized that even with it, there are still unknowns and questions that will go unanswered in life and that people will still be clueless anywhere, in any faith or religion. It's part of our natures no matter what. The object in life is live and learn and live. So when testimony meeting turns into group therapy meeting, when Mormon guys got lost on their way to 7th grade (got that gem from Sarah), when home teachers, RS presidents, even Bishops offend, it's true for them what's true for us: we all live and learn. In different ways, at different times, paces and places in life.
I'm no expert in world religions but I've sampled what's out there. It's all pretty good, in my extensive, final and professional opinion. It looks like many religions are founded on true principles and advocate "live and learn", find peace and learn accountability instead of schemes to take your money and wash your brain in return. Either way, it all comes down to the choice. Which of all these should I choose?
Maybe this guy found what he's looking for beyond the religion he's saying he left behind. All I'm asking him, all I'm asking the Conference picketers, the movie makers is, what is it? Where is it? You didn't come up with anything? So what's your point? What are you doing for yourself? What are you doing for others? Whatever it is, it is severely limited.
Where's Sam's blog, "Left this, Found THIS"? What's he searching for? Does he know inquiry doesn't automatically falsify? Questioning is life? The quest might actually be more enlightening and fulfilling than reaching what you think might be the answer? The quest might just be the answer?
We stray, stagnate and stunt because we fear the unknown. The unknown isn't Pandora's Box. It isn't necessarily a vacuum or untrue. It's life. Live it. Love it. And as dear sister Jennie says, Embrace It. Perhaps you have a religion where the exploration is endless, happiness in whole and full truth accessible. All for your Dust of the Earth self who has little time on earth to gain as much of it as possible. If you do, if I do, which I believe I do, then let's not leave it.
6 comments:
Well said dear. I have always been perplexed by the picketers outside of conference claiming we are not Christian's and are going to hell, or that abortion kills, or that there is one true God. So you are damaging your vocal chords contentiously for what reason exactly? Come again?
And not to be long winded, but while living in the most international city in the world, aka Toronto, I was exposed to many a religion and spoke of exactly these things with people, and found exactly what you said to be true. Those who leave with no conversion to speak of only stay in bondage by their opposition to one certain thing. Those who continue learning, perhaps convert to some other arena of thought that brings light and understanding, without a perfect knowledge just yet, are happy and progressive and free.
thanks for that comment! You are a delight. I should've known you'd turn into this wise little truffle after all these years. Remember when you had glasses you called Mazee or something? And Mazee would write me letters? No? Well I do! you are a creative whiz kid. P.S. I can't seem to get a hold of any conf tix. Might not be coming to SLC. : (
Someday soon though. Or you'll just have to move out to Santa CrOOOOOz.
Oh tear. You will be missed. If I hear of any tickets, I will let you know. You should come anyway.
I would actually move in a heartbeat if I hadnt just got my lazy butt back in school and going somewhere. Let me know how the interview goes.
And of course I remember MayZee. I had a thing for naming inanimate objects back then....and giving them life. I was crazy.
come back and post...i miss you.
how are you doing laura? i made brownies...wanna come over?
Very well put...I wish I could write like you!!
Post a Comment