/*amazon_ad_exclude = "christian"*/ The Skin I Am In: Ra Ra Sis Boom Ba, Go Jesus!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Ra Ra Sis Boom Ba, Go Jesus!

I'm practicing my display of good sportsmanship. I have recently been informed by a reader of one of my articles that I lack this quality, also known as fair-mindedness and good character, if I uphold my personal right to freedom of religion by not subscribing myself to literature which advocates Christ as our Savior.

This message was insinuated in a comment that was left on my post entitled My Sunday Sermon: Modern Mythology. Naturally (and involuntarily) brought up as Christian (as are most individuals born and raised in the United States) this post gave an honest and personal account detailing my moment of epiphany that forever altered my perceptions regarding religion. I didn't “abandon” god out of malice or disappointing life events. In fact, I have even spent years in denial regarding my agnosticism. My views evolved as a result of the parallels between Christianity and ancient mythology--in comparing modern beliefs versus obsolete. The move toward rejecting religion to guide my life was merely a result of my maturation and learning to think for myself. It is truly a shame that Christians so often feel threatened by this practice.

In truth I did not abandon a god at all, for the only thing I feel there is to abandon is a fictitious ideology. In the end, “We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.” I find this to be a very powerful statement, as Christians not only reject polytheistic religions, but any god which is not “their” god. Even the religions that theoretically glorify the same deity no doubt do it wrong--so long as Jesus is not at the helm their efforts and sacrifices are in vain!

Or, so say the fair-minded Christians.


I received several comments to my Modern Mythology post including additional insights, shows of support, and even probes into my thoughts, all of which provided an interesting perspective. In each response, whether or not the submitter agreed with my position it was evident that they had read the post with fair and thoughtful consideration. That is until I received a comment with a Christian prescription. As if it promised to be just the cure for my agnostic ailments, he advertised, “Just for YOU!“

Before concluding his solicitation for me to read The Case For Christ, he commanded, “be a good sport!

Be a good sport? Am I missing something here? Am I somehow indebted to his team? Obviously this individual knew that it would not be an easy sale to convince the author of the aforementioned post to oblige his request; therefore, he tried a common persuasion technique used in advertising by attempting to undercut my integrity for failure to buy what he's selling.

Here is my formal response:

“I have been a good sport for all of my 33 years! I have spent my time in Sunday school. I have spent my time on mission trips. I have spent my time reading the bible and listening to sermons and biting my tongue as dogmatic hypocrisy is spewed all around me. And I continue to exemplify good sportsmanship each and every day by respecting others' right to believe as they choose.

Now, what have you done to be a good sport?

Have you objectively considered an alternative to your beliefs? Have you accepted that there is no right or wrong religious doctrine? Do you accept others' rights to believe as they choose and respect their boundaries to be free from futile attempts, like yours, to convince them otherwise?

If you, sir, are man enough to be a good sport, check out religioustolerance.org.”

Now, Ra Ra Sis Boom Ba, Go Open Your Minds!


14 comments:

Tami Daun said...

Bravo!!!!

CharmaineZoe said...

I'm with you on this one 100%!

Tinggay said...

I confessed I am what you may call a Christian. What made me keep my religion though is that for every literature I've read on how Christianity is a big sham, I've read an equally convincing literature refuting the same.

SOUL AFLAME said...

A more perfect riposte to the original comment I cannot myself imagine.

Bravo, indeed. I'm in total agreement.

The Blogger Exposed said...

Piebuko,

Never feel like you have to confess your beliefs...you know if your heart is an understanding and accepting one. You don't come across to me like the type I am referring to!

For me, religion isn't about literature at all, which is why it took drawing my own conclusions without anyone else's influence. If I had allowed someone to shape my belief, then I may waver or still have doubts either way. The point is, I, nor anyone else, can speak for you or any other person. Which brings me to the purpose of religioustolerance.org. It's contributors each hold a different religious 'doctrine', but their commonality is in the belief that religion should be a respected and tolerated PERSONAL decision; therefore, it should stay out of government and never lead toward prejudice or judgment. That simple!

Doug Goff said...

I'm guessing you didn't get the book?

Ferd said...

Well done, BE. I have plenty of room for divergent opinions and beliefs, even welcoming them as they add variety and interest to the world. But I have little tolerance for the ego of a holier than thou attitude. It is insensitive and insulting. I don't give them the time of day.

Tinggay said...

Oh, thanks for clearing that up. I got a different idea when I read your post. I guess, you could call me a flirtatious Catholic. I flirt with my religion. I accept those that I want to accept and disregard those that I cannot accept. I question and I take shots on hypocrite priests as well. In the end, I just like having my faith. I am a believer

Lori Whitwam said...

I'm happily agnostic. I merely say that there is no way to KNOW, too many forms of belief, so I'll just say maybe there's "something."
I, too, dislike people assuming I am Christian, or feeling (when they find out that I'm not) that there's something wrong with me that they have to fix.
Believe what you want, and I'm happy for you. Whatever gives you strength and peace. I ask that people give me the same courtesy.
And on that note:
http://www.explosm.net/comics/502/

MamaFlo said...

You Go Girl!!

Me said...

So nicely written. Well done.

Anonymous said...

When "Be a good sport" didn't work, they should have tried "I dare you to read it" or worse "I double-dog dare you!"

And if that didn't work, they should have tried the old christian standard, "You'll rot in hell for eternity if you don't read it!"

I'm sure that would have done the trick...

Rebecca said...

I loved the titled to this post!! I'm a first time visitor :) I found you through a friend of a friend's blog. Great thoughts. Mind if I become a regular? I'm getting more and more addicted to reading blogs. Well, the good ones at least. There's a lot of crap out there. And mine may be one of them, but oh well. :)

natedogsmoothie said...

Folly! haha I like that word, although I am young I am strong. I know something that is crazy to your minds ready God (Jesus Chirst) loves you very much! and regardless of what you think or what you do He still loves you because He is the same today tomorrow and forever! Isaiah 59:1 Behold the lord's hand is not shortened, that is cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but you iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. And your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Just because someone believes someone doesn't make it true! right? well what makes something truth? what is truth? do we all have our own truth, that would suck if have just decided to make our own laws and live by then! Repent for the time is near to us all! The lord our God is truth you have sinned like i have you have seen evil like i have you have seen good like i have don't deny the fact the truth That God is alive. Father God i pray right now that you would show light into this dark world lord, i pray for whoever reads this that their hearts would shack and the eyes would see, and the mouths would speak truth and in there hearts come to know that you lord are truth you God Jesus!! ARE THE ONLY WAY TRUTH AND LIFE! amen! amen! i'm not trying to convert anybody but i am simply loving you i see there are two paths in the end one to glory and one to shame, what makes you so sure your going to glory and if you din't care why not? and why should you care? you need to find out these things because standing in Luke-warm water is never Good because not knowing is not know! ha. alrightly hope you all have a blessed day in life! just live like you've never lived before!! get up off your computer no porn no lust no wasting of time and live with you loved ones call them up and let them know you care! go cook maybe for you wife! or you children! because love conquers all! Matthew 13: 14 "you will indeed hear but not understand, and you will indeed see but not perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear. and their eyes the have closed lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn and i would heal them! wanna be healed? in any manner? wanna see? wanna understand? DO you want to believe?