Religion is one of those things that I like to keep in the same category as a preferred sexual position or what kind of toilet paper you use. It’s none of my business and unless I’m dating you I don’t want to know. Sadly this is not a realistic request. Ever have a conversation with someone who seems to be rational and sane then out of the blue they mention “I love Jesus!” “Praise God!” “Thanks to my Lord and Savior!” you have to arch a brow and back up slowly. They have just informed you that they believe in imaginary beings… but it’s okay because it comes with a book! Then they mention it’s fine because ‘God’/'Jesus’/'Mary’/'Angels’ talk to them. “Well then that makes it alright, as long as the voices tell you it is.”
I am no stranger to biblical study or the infrastructure of Christian belief system… but just like with fairies, Santa, Easter Bunnies, devils trying to steal your soul and hopes of Superman diving from the sky to sweep you up to safety, you realize it’s all make believe- so you grow up, take responsibility for your life, enjoy everything fully because you own it, work it, and you recognize the give/take impacts of life and fulfillment. Odd how you can feel loved and moral and decent without pretending an invisible parental figure is lording over you at all times in hopes of getting to go to the party if you’re good enough (who the hell would want that?). Fiction… Non-Fiction.
Maybe some people are so screwed up when left to rely on themselves that they *need* to believe a pretend being and since some deities are the more accepted choices amongst the general public, they nab them and not be locked up in an insane asylum. “No… it’s okay, I’m not talking to Big Bunny Bear Face… I’m talking to Jesus.”
I feel a slight tinge of disappointment when I find someone who could be interesting bring religion into the mix. You’re discussing the workings of the world, they’re scoffing at people who are quite possibly mentally ill- and then they might as well say casually “So then when I die I plan on going to this alternative Universe with gold and a bunch of dead people where we won’t be hungry, show any emotion other than happy, and we’ll be like that forever and ever and ever and ever and it’ll be awesome because a guy who died a couple thousand years ago will be there too and he talks to me in my heart!”
You mentally put them in that circle of people you can’t get too close to.
Why am I bringing this up now? Because I’m expanding and getting to know larger groups of people and you try to get in their minds to figure out “How can a sane, rational person believe in that??” The answer is simple, “They don’t.” So society is filled with high functioning (for the most part) nut jobs. 
Yay? Am I worried about offending people? No… it’s not up to them to judge. Their being will be the one who does that… but they can throw their cute little verses at me like it’s supposed to mean something to a ‘non-believer’.
But then again there are the ones who claim to be Christian, but they don’t go to church or anything, and they don’t really do anything out of the norm of a sane human being other than wear the label ‘Christian’. These people I think of as the ones who merely say they are to avoid waves. They’re like the people who watch The Office and tell Office fans that they’re fans too… but they really don’t see anything great about it- they just watch it to be a part of the water cooler crowd.
You can do good things without religious backing. You can be a decent human being without falling into a belief system. People without religion do have morals and shockingly do know wrong from right- and may practice it more often than those who believe in something other than themselves.
Current Mood:
Disappointed
So certain are you! As it happens I agree absolutely, though I’m past the point where the thinking modes of others trigger an emotional response in me unless there is some direct practical impact on me.
But I think your statements are very revealing. What they reveal is a rationality that is might disturb people who would otherwise like to know you better. Most people like their thinking warm and fuzzy. Don’t fall into my trap: which is to both repel people by an excessively rational approach, and to reject people on the basis of their perceived irrationality. (That will help you to stay out of the dating scene and to further the collapse of the global economy for sure!)
Of course it’s a vital part of welcoming people in or keeping them at arms length. If someone told you that they think green Martians float around their head 24/7 and are watching the two of you right now; would you really want to bend your thinking and convince yourself that they really are sane on all levels and that you can have a fulfilling relationship… just so you aren’t alone?
“Well the vast majority is crazy, so just get over it and embrace them otherwise you’re just being difficult! The crazy people want in… LET THEM!!!!!!!!!”
I didn’t state I was repelling people, I just can’t take them too seriously as their mental structure and processing isn’t sound. Not everyone can be 100% in perfect mental health or deal with things wonderfully all the time- but people who believe in beings who are not of this world and yet control their lives and destiny… is not sane. It’s the accepted and enabled mental illness.
There are two aspects to it. One is what you find attractive in others, and the other is what they find attractive in you. Naturally, you know what you find attractive in others and I wouldn’t dream of trying to convince you otherwise. I won’t even try to convince you that the green Martian analogy is false, since as it happens I find that I’ve used exactly that analogy for exactly the same reason myself.
No, what I was really trying to get across is something that has slowly dawned on me over the years (no pun intended here), and that is that people tend to find this hard-edged kind of thinking creepy. It seems alien to them. I don’t think they really recognize it, but I think they will subtly avoid people who think like this. The analogy that always comes to mind is meat that has been in the refrigerator for just a little bit too long; the expire date is okay, and it smells okay, but you’re just a little suspicious of it and throw it away. That’s how the general public treats a rationalist. After a certain point, I became tired of it, but I can’t really change my spots now. Your observations may differ, of course.
Thanks for the link you sent! I’ll now go read it.
Ahhh I get what you mean now- although the last part leaves me confused. “After a certain point, I became tired of it, but I can’t really change my spots now. Your observations may differ, of course.” Tired of which part? My thinking is rushed when I’m at work reading/writing while things load.
I guess at times I wonder if I should be tapping anyone on the shoulder showing them the other perspective. Like it’s such an integrated and accepted part of their life and they liken it to “We breathe in Oxygen”. They don’t really think about it, aren’t concerned with it and give it too much thought. Is there something truly wrong with them mentally that they *need* the training wheels because they’re afraid of their own actions and the unknown?
*sigh* I suppose it’s not my place to tap anyone on the shoulder and announce “Umm dude, do you realize how insane that is?” If I write it, and they want to read it- then fine. It becomes their choice to do with it what they want… snap out of it, or delve further into insanity because now they’re making MORE of an effort to do such.
And you’re welcome for the link. Of course it’s a parody of sorts/a joke, but some parts of it did make me snicker. Other parts of it caused me to crinkle my nose and sneer.
Yes, I chuckled. And I chuckled at your post as well, in spite of all the babbling I tossed at it afterward.
What I meant about being tired of it is that I’m tired of being left out in the cold for modes of thinking that just seem slightly weird to people. Of course, that may not be why I’m out in the cold, and I might just be fooling myself about the reasons!
At any rate, there’s nothing to be done about it. I am how I am, and you are how you are, regardless of how anyone else might or might not like us to be. On more than one occasion I’ve been told to just pretend to be like everyone else. That’s not too likely to happen.
LOL Yeah, I hear the same thing and I can’t. I’ve always critiqued for my thinking because it’s not the norm. I make people uncomfortable.
I know that’s what keeps me out in the cold. As one dear friend says, “If you would just look pretty and keep your mouth shut, you’d be married by now and popular.” I can’t and won’t change who I am. I tried before and each time my pesky independent thoughts came up -I’d order a drink.
I keep that large part of myself locked away for the most part around people I like or find amusing to avoid being pushed back into the cold or further into the cold- and that’s as far as I go. They know I’m odd or off though because of my public site, but it all remains silent and the friendships never deep due to it.
It’s silly though because I don’t think it’s me who is weird!!!!
I then wonder if it’s my thinking that’s off… and then I remember “OMG they think they have Martians circling their heads 24/7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t pretend that’s normal!!!!!!!!” Or whatever the irrational thought is.
Well, you’re lucky to have your kids. Obviously I don’t know that much about them, but from your post the other day it sounds like your daughter is a chip off the block. Does Jonathon think you’re weird? (I mean, any weirder than kids normally think their parents are?)
Oh I’m definitely lucky I have my kids! And Jonathon… Not more so than other kids think their parents are weird. He tells me often “You’re weird. I love it.” but it’s always because I’m intentionally being weird, not because of my beliefs.
That’s lovely.
Okay- most times he just points out “Mom, you’re weird.” I pretend it’s a compliment
It was lovely in your mind, and in my mind, at least for a moment. It does remind me somewhat belatedly, though, of a couple of lines from one of my favorite movies, “What’s Up, Doc?”—
She: I know I’m different, but from now on I’m going to try and be the same.
He: That’s good. The same as what?
She: The same as people who aren’t different.
Good quote