Excerpt #69 from my book, Religion, An Obstacle to Human Progress
If there is agreement on anything in the world of religion, it might be that life has its mysteries.
When we attempt to define or worship these mysteries, particularly as gods, invariably we create religious problems.
Definitions are divisive and invite conflicts.
Historically, we have had, and to this day continue to have, conflicts.
By simple common sense, I don’t believe in God – in none. – Charles Chaplin, actor
Worship of these gods is diversionary and distracting.
Our attention gets focused “out there,” worshipping something we have been programmed to believe exists, is sacred, and by which we are going to be “saved”.
We are going to be saved while at the same time we live unhealthy lives, go to war with our neighbors literally and figuratively, and destroy our environment and deplete our resources.
Yet, we are going to be saved.
It doesn’t make sense.
This is a classic example of nonsensical and irresponsible religious absurdities that a self-serving priesthood foists upon a vulnerable and gullible humanity.
LOOKING FOR THE MESSIAH? LOOK IN THE MIRROR.
The focus of our beliefs must shift from what was imagined to exist and be sacred in some heavenly realm to what does exist and is sacred here and now.
It is time to find our comfort not in the worship of distant mythological gods, but in present, real-life relationships with each other, with our extraordinary environment, and with our own
unique individuality.
These “commandments” are not issued by a god, but by the undeniable reality of our existence.
Certainly, the fictional “gods” of some of our historical religions would approve of this shift of emphasis.
When we take care of ourselves and each other, and leave our environment as we found it or improve it, we are living a sacred life.
ARGUE WITH LOGIC NOT EMOTION.
One would think that if there exists anything benevolent in dimensions beyond our perception—call it a god, creator, supreme being, the force, universal intelligence, divine consciousness, or whatever—that it, she, him, or them would cheer us wildly when our focus is on health for ourselves, kindness toward each other, and respect for our environment.
For what more could any god of any belief system anywhere ask of us?
RIGHT LIVING IS ABOUT BEHAVIOR NOT WORSHIP.
What men usually ask for when they pray to God is that two and two may not make four. – Russian Proverb