Religion
[Home]
14 July 2003
International Churches of Christ
Even though I am not a Christian (anymore), it is good to hear that the
idea of autonomy of independent churches (scripturally arguable either
way in the New Testament) has proved itself yet again in the collapse
of the ICOC world leadership. The resentment and underlying backlash
among the common-folk and lower-level leadership that has previously
been suppressed by pulling rank is now coming out.
Structured religion has it's problems (some big, some small), but it
was a useful place to find my spiritual feet.
14-Jul-2003 (Original 29-Dec-02)
Is structured religion essential?
- Is it the only opponent to corporatism and the
conversion of people from citizens to consumers?
- No, there is
community,
school, scouts, sport, dancing, and children to achieve the same effect.
- The effect being referred to is a sense of community and
belonging for adults, parents and children.
- Also, witness the destruction of families caused by lack of
care and response in established religious organisations.
Pre 2002
A large number of human conflicts at present are the
result of people placing their religious beliefs higher
than the value of a human life.
There are very few, if any, religions that actually
advocate this behaviour. If you investigate the annals
and sacerd books of many religions, the value of
human life is rated highly. The reason for the taking
of human life in the name of religion often bubbles
down to the dictates of religious and national leaders
using common and unsophisticated believers as cannon-
fodder to achieve political or power aims.
To combat this discouraging state of affairs, I believe
major and minor religions, and splinter groups of
particular religions, should participate in "Religous
Exchanges", similar to cultural exchanges, where one
person in one religion is exchanged for a person in
another religion for a period fo time, whether that
is one month or one year.
the participants should not be required to participate
in observances that are deemed offensive to their
own religion, but in any other way they should
immerse themselves in the lifestyle and observances
of their host religion.
The purpose of this is to gain an understanding that
there is a human core to every religion, and that the
very common thread that binds all humans transcends
even belief.
There is no room in the world for religious hosility -
especially from unjustifiable cynical attacks from
unbelievers. It is not an acquiescence to the beliefs
of another religion if you do not react violently to
their heresies.