From the title of this post I was all set to complain about atheists who spend more time bashing religion than extolling irreligion, but then I looked at the cartoons and (as they say) laughed out loud. So... a little well-placed bashing is still ok with me.
But here's the thing: my irreligion DOES inspire me, activates my humanitarian instincts, makes me happy, reconciles me to my human nature, mortality, cosmic insignificance etc. etc. AND, I want to share all that with the religiously-benighted world.
And here's my concern: does my impulse to share make me no better than a Mormon missionary, in desperate search for personal/ideological validation?
And if not, does it follow that I ought to cut Mitt & his friends more slack than I'm inclined to?
If not, or even if so... After all, this urge to share and be validated is a defining HUMAN impulse. Can we not detect our own reflection in the image of our "foe"?
But for the record, and at the risk of relinquishing my pluralist credentials: after all is said and done, religion DOES mostly suck.
Are you a redditor, by chance?
ReplyDeleteI'm not but let me know if I'm missing anything good. My Internet bookmarks are running my cup over as it is.
ReplyDeleteHi guys, & welcome, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteFrom the title of this post I was all set to complain about atheists who spend more time bashing religion than extolling irreligion, but then I looked at the cartoons and (as they say) laughed out loud. So... a little well-placed bashing is still ok with me.
But here's the thing: my irreligion DOES inspire me, activates my humanitarian instincts, makes me happy, reconciles me to my human nature, mortality, cosmic insignificance etc. etc. AND, I want to share all that with the religiously-benighted world.
And here's my concern: does my impulse to share make me no better than a Mormon missionary, in desperate search for personal/ideological validation?
And if not, does it follow that I ought to cut Mitt & his friends more slack than I'm inclined to?
If not, or even if so... After all, this urge to share and be validated is a defining HUMAN impulse. Can we not detect our own reflection in the image of our "foe"?
ReplyDeleteBut for the record, and at the risk of relinquishing my pluralist credentials: after all is said and done, religion DOES mostly suck.