Defending the Faith

Be it a faith based organization, an ethnic group, or a nation state dependent on a common set of cultural beliefs, groups define themselves by pointing out who they are not, as well as by defining who they are. Any organization that finds outside influances threatening or is unwilling to allow compromises its basic beliefs or principles has to expend energy and assets to maintain its integrity. Alternate systems and beliefs are viewed with caution and often as a treat. It is these self defining systems that create most of the cultural tensions, conflicts and wars, and religions are not exempt. As the world becomes more secular religions become more defensive and with few options beyond converting non believers, some go to extreems and attempt to eliminate the threat by killing or suppression. A devout individual or organization with no alternate perspectives to fall back on can easily become frustrated when their belief system is threatened or compromised even when the treat is imagined. This same emotional impulse to distructive action can also be triggered by powerful or charismatic leaders and has been used often to create chaos and killings on massive scales. When a set of beliefs become the primary definition of self for individuals or a group, paranoia is a natural result and violent reactions become a possibility. The Middle East is being torn apart by conflicting belief systems, and tension is growing in the West as simiar conflicts have found their way into democratic political systems. The wisdom of the founding fathers of the United States to keep church and state seperate has never been more poinient as this vital seperation is slowly being narrowed by subtle and persistent manipulative political efforts. Having served as a security guard in front of abortion clinics to keep protesters from blocking driveways or causing a traffic accident I have been confronted directly by individuals driven by their frustration as they threatened me and others and deflected any attempt to reason with them. A mutual understanding was impossible. Any argument was met by a display of their holy book or a rush to recite the rosery. The gates to any mutual understanding were closed tight as the protestors shouted and prayed and attempted to disuade abortion clients and convert anyone who would listen. For them their was only their faith and no outside influances would ever disuade them or get their attention. Their minds were closed. Disturbed by the growing encroachment of religion into our politics I occasionally watch one of the many religious television programs. A recent program got my attention as the hosts and a guest author seemed to be revisiting the Scopes trials in a slightly different way. The author was highlighting his recent book, "Stealing from God" and describing how any secular argument against God must draw on the reality around them,(which were obviously created by God), and were therefore arguing against God by using his creations. It reminded me of arguments by Thomas Aquinas proving God by his creations. The Host's comments were how watching an earth mover at a construction site was a perfect anology that prooved the necessity of a creator. The author had obviously been willing to confront disbelievers in debate and had a favorite question that he claimed always put an athiest back on his heels. The question was; If Christianity is true would you become a Christian? He felt that the usual hesitation to answer was proof that he had made an irrevocable point that couldn't be countered. In fact he was just bringing up the old paradox about liars always telling the truth.....and the hesitation was the realization that it was a trick question and there was no answer. The correct response should have been a responding question; If Christianity is not true would you become an athiest? The extreems of religious TV programing and their increasing numbers, may be evidence for a growing frustration by the devout. The silliest in early indoctrination programs for children is Veggie Tales, a cartoon about moral behavior by carrots. It took me a long time to extricate myself from the unthinking flock and a lenghthy indoctrination, but now that I am a part of the real world again, aware of my responsibilities to my community, my country, all of humanity, the planet, and all life, I am not about to cop out again. Far more important than ten commandments that promise a false pass to a life after death if followed, are the mandates imposed by 3.5 billion years of chance evolution bringing us to our advanced state of awareness. To ensure the future of our planet, our species and a continuance of the natural order and balances that allows life to thrive on Earth, we must do three things; Explore and learn Be of good council and Be a good steward