Religion Lost
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“Oh life, it’s bigger. It’s bigger than you and you are not me.” REM
The Questions: Why do believe? Why do you not believe? These are two questions that have intrigued me throughout every part of my life. These two questions seem to cause quite a controversy in the world and quite a controversy right here on HubPages.
These questions make people argue incessantly and often create a competition of chest thumping with facts and theories and beliefs. But these questions are highly provocative and I always find myself coming back to each of them.
Who Am I? I don’t believe in a god or gods because it does not seem plausible to me. Who am I, you might ask? No one important really. I am college educated, but that doesn’t always translate as someone being intelligent. I’m just a guy, living on this planet and trying to contribute positively to society. I spawned a couple children so I feel I did my part of keeping the population moving forward.
I wake up, I eat, I work, I sleep…….repeat. I feel my life is very meaningful even though I am a non-believer. I don’t steal, cheat, rape, murder or do other things I shouldn’t. I live a good life.
Why Do We Argue? So then why do believers and non-believers continue to argue about why the other person is wrong? Is it human nature? Is it ego? Is it blind faith? I really don’t know the true answer to why we argue. I have my theories and opinions, but rarely find use in throwing them around anymore.
My personal experience with many,(important to understand I said “many”, not all) religious people is that they feel it is their duty to show people the light. Personally, I’ve seen the light many times and each time it leads me very, very far away from religion.
The Matrix: Oh boy, this is where I might lose some of you. What if, just for a moment, you entertained the notion that we could all be living in the Matrix? Why not? No, I’m not crazy at all. I’m just able to open my mind to the “possibility” that it could be real. It’s not much different than believing in God or Buddha or Zeus. Is it? I can hear you all chanting that I’m a nutbag, but that is quite alright.
What is the purpose of this hub? You know, I’m not really sure. I was bored and some of the above thoughts were floating around my brain. I don’t have the answers and neither do you. I think that’s the most important thing for everyone to understand.
“I’m trying to free your mind Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one who has to walk through it.” Morpheus
CommentsLoading...
At the risk of being repetitive. . . :)
We argue (debate, fight, what have you), because of how we feel, not because of what we think.
Despite the notion many have communicated that emotion should not take priority over rational thought in a debate, it almost always does. Heck we don't engage in a debate unless we feel the need to, even if we believe the presenter is wrong.
The proof of this is easy. How many times have you read a hub and totally disagreed with it AND didn't respond? Why didn't you?
Its not just about having a different opinion. Its about one feeling it necessary to offer a differing opinion. There is never a time when that is not an emotional choice. Since we enter the debate for emotional reasons, it should not be surprising when they surface.
Now, once we determine why we entered the debate, we are closer to why we end up arguing.
cheers
Oh and after the Matrix line, I was compelled to reach to the back of my head to try and find the jack.
Couldn't feel it though.
cheers
It's too bad REM decided to call it quits. Losing My Religion is one of my favourites of their career. I'll have to take your word about the meaning of the matrix as I didn't see the film.
The Matrix and The Force from Star Wars may very well be the same thing. We are all connected. It's not a tenuous connection either. Every atom of the universe is related to every other atom. There can be no disconnect. Enjoy.
People argue so vociferously about religion because they believe that there is truth in agreement. If most people believe one thing, it must be true, right? Our culture has this kind of agreement about a lot of things. People who act a certain way are insane? But are they? Or is it just that the majority has agreed to put them in that category.
To Anton's point, people will argue passionateely if they have something at stake. Because religion ultimately answers the question, what happens after you die, there is something at stake for people. Who doesn't want to think they have the line on truth when it comes to that?
@aley:thanks for commenting, you make some valid points
@anton: thanks for commenting. Good point about emotion. Emotion is always there, no matter what people say.
@Flora: thanks as always for commenting. You have to see the Matrix, it explains the universe.
@Austinstar: I would take the pill. thanks as always for commenting
@Holly: good points. I always tell myself that everyone else is insane and I'm the normal one. I've always been intrigued with religious people who argue so much, it seems a bit desperate to me. It's like some of them have to believe there is more than just living on the planet in human form. I'm ok with just living here and now. thanks for commenting.
Amazing how touchy a subject it is for everyone. Some so small minded that they can't fathom how people think in such absurd ways. I do not believe in a superior being, unless by that you mean extraterrestrial, which I guess some could mistake as a mythical being sent to teach the world right from wrong.
I myself just wrote a hub on the topic of Religious Freedom. This was a good read, and while we may not understand our desire to argue about something no one will ever have an answer to, that's what makes it so appealing.
Aley Martin Level 2 Commenter 7 months ago
because we argue in circles. I just learned and hubbed on a reason...some of us are inquirers and others are apologetics. Some are open to inquiry, others spend time defending the questions with dogma. One cannot argue from two differing belief systems, it does not work..!