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Thomas Agrusti
Life
November 26, 2012
That
Good ol’ Religious argument
I
think one of the most common questions asked in philosophy are one’s beliefs in
the religious perspective. Names of idolatry and bigotry have been linked to
the same people over the same terms in a similar society. In the same way, I
have been linked to images of pride, being a morally sound and inspirational
figure, as well as an arrogant, misguided, and pretentious fool. As such, I
feel it apprpraite, as more than 7 seconds has passed without me questioning my
own thoughts about my faith, to illustrate, through rhetoric, my truths and
beliefs pertaining to faith.
There
are a few things I must state as ultimate truths within my mind. These are
things that I have found myself comfortable to accept on either side of the
argument, and lead to support both arguments in the end. These will be my
standard parameters for this, and future, religious essays. First off, I do
believe there is an omnipotent God who is the creator of the earth, humanity,
and life incarnate. I believe there is a human known as Jesus Christ of
Nazareth who came to earth, prophesized, and died for the sins of the world,
and I will return to this final concept throughout the essay. Lastly, I believe
there is a supernatural element to the Christian world, found in the miracles
performed by Jesus Christ, and the “bit-too-convenient interventions” that God
plays during one’s life.
Thusly
with these parameters set up, I shall present my Pro argument for Christian
faith. I have viewed many Christians as great people. They are content, if not profoundly
overjoyed, with the situation they are in in life. They have faced difficulties
and trials, and have overcome them for the betterment of their faith. They have
a unidirectional perspective of faith, and some have varying degrees of
perspective in other fields of life, such as career, adventure, and philosophy.
I also believe that there is a certain euphoria to be associated with the
worship ceremonies. I have never heard any music and singing better than that
which I hear in during a passionate service, and few better speakers, than
those during a passionate service. Lastly, I believe the actual theology and
doxology is on that justifies itself. It has a secular continuum that closes
may loopholes. It is a faith that builds beautiful people, with a spectacular
perspective on life, as humble, hard-working, and incredibly resilient.
Now
I move to the con argument. Christianity is one of the cruelest,
self-indulgent, and deceptive faiths I’ve ever been associated with. Allow be
to explain this polar shift. The introduction line of Christianity is “Jesus
died for your sins. He loves you, he loves everyone. Everyone is a sinner, and
he loves you. He died to you can go to heaven.” This ideology leads one to
believe that, as long as they recognize that Jesus lived and did what he said
he did, they are guaranteed an afterlife in paradise. However, when a person
becomes part of the community, they are practically drafted into an escalating
lifestyle. This is the conversation within my mind:
Veteran
– Alright so you’re a Christian?
Newbie
– Yep, I accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior!
Veteran
– Great, I’ll see you in church on Sunday!
Newbie
– Sure! God is good to me! I have a roof over my head, a job, I’m healthy, I
should thank The Lord for everything that has happened to me.
(In
church)
Newbie
– Wow, these people are so nice!
Veteran
- *Passes around offering plate* Alright, time to give 10% of your income.
Newbie
– Um, do I have to?
Veteran
– Not right away, but the Lord asks that you do. Afterall, he gave you
everything you have, so asking for 10% is generous of Him.
Newbie
– I guess that makes sense.
Veteran
– By the way, we’re having a bible study this Wednesday. I’d like you to come.
Newbie
– Um, ok, sure.
*During
bible study*
Veteran
– So, Newbie, you love The Lord, right?
Newbie
– Yes!
Veteran
– Then you’re willing to hold back from sinning right?
Newbie
– Well, I would, but it’s really difficult.
Veteran
– well then, pray for help, and work to hold back from sin and repent, run away
from sin, do everything you can to prevent yourself from sinning.
Newbie
– Can you live that kind of life though? Can a person live without sin?
Veteran
– Well, Jesus did it, and Job did it, but even the Bible says through Paul that
it is nearly impossible to a human to hold back entirely from sin.
Newbie
– So we’re being asked to strive for a goal we can never meet?
Veteran
– yes, but it is all to make The Lord happy.
Newbie
– But doesn’t he already love me?
Veteran
– he loves you as long as he is the most important aspect of your life.
Newbie
– well, He is pretty important to me.
Veteran
– more important that your cell phone? Or your TV?
Newbie
– Those are luxuries, I could probably live without them.
Veteran
– is it more important than your car, or your house?
Newbie
– Well, If The Lord had a good reason to feel it necessary to take those things
away-
Veteran
– What about your job? Your wife? Your kids? He has to be more important than
all of them! If you don’t Jesus will look at you in the afterlife and say “I
never knew you”
Newbie
– Wait, wait, wait, my job is my passion! It is a definitive staple in who I
am, what I love to do, and it allows me to supply for my wife and kids so they
have the chance to be content and happy with life. I trust no one on this earth
more than my wife, and would be by her side for anything, and my children are
the most precious people in my life. When they are happy, I am overjoyed. You brought me in under the belief that God’s
love and Jesus’s sacrifice was out of unconditional love. Now you’re telling me
that his love is contingent on whether or not I make the same sacrifice that
Jesus made? Am I not good enough? Why can’t I be happy with the free will I’ve
been given? Don’t I have free will as a gift from God? I understand that
withdrawing from sin is appropriate because many sins lead to terrible
outcomes, like harm to others and self, but am I really to be expected to
sacrifice every aspect of my free will, my choice of mate, my choice of career,
and my choice of philosophy, to be dependent on an intangible, incorporeal,
invisible deity? That’s slavery! That’s demanding that I follow every order
given to me without question, accept the minimum rationing give to me, and do
so with a smile on. To sacrifice gladly, to give myself daily, and to do so
gladly; to suffer, to see others suffer, to see those who I love especially
suffer, all for this being, promising me a gift in the end that no one has
proven.
These
are my problems with Christianity. Yes, a person will be supplied with
“everything they need.” There is a serendipitous beauty to seeing a person who
lived in nothing get a room, a bed, a car, and a job donated to them. I
understand there is happiness to be found in living for God, sacrificing, and worshipping.
But it takes 100% commitment, and I understand that a person has to have a
solid foundation, and a solid reasoning and support for their faith. However, I
find it hard to shake the feeling that I’m being denounced and put down because
I’m only fractionally committed. Why should I called “not good enough” when I
read the bible daily, pray for every meal and before bed, attend church, and
recognize the faith as valid? I believe Christianity is a beautiful philosophy;
concepts such as forgiveness, befriending all, and living a life free of
convictions, like greed, gluttony, and otherwise. But I do not feel it is right
to have so much expected of me. That is a common element that aggravates in
many scopes.
Allow
me to be pretentious for a moment, which is a permission I believe I have
already if you’re taking the time to read this. I view myself as generous,
treating my friends to lunch, happily buying Christmas gifts, and loaning money
to a friend without expecting to be paid back. I also aim to be a pleasant and
kind individual. Spend a day with me and I am confident that you will see a
jolly man, who is empathetic in times of suffering, and happy to offer support
in any way. I am also ambitious. I believe it justifiable to say that I have
taken on more responsibilities and challenges that few others have taken on
before me. Within a middle-SES family, with minimal family conflict, I have set
myself to graduate a year and a half earlier than my age mates, with plans to
move on to higher education. I advance my skills to be competent in many
fields, and be comfortable in all of my pursuits. However, though I may give
happily of my own volition, and if a favor is asked of me, I am most likely to
supply if I can, unforeseen or unfortunate circumstances notwithstanding, but I
implore anyone who ever knows me of this: NEVER EXPECT ANYTHING OF ME. In this
light, I don’t mean don’t look at me as if I will never attain anything in
life, for I plan on having a family and a career, and to be happy with life. I don’t
mean don’t ask for a favor now and then, for I seek to be kind. But never put a
title on me that I did not ask for, sign me up for a job I was not aware of,
and look to me to be someone that I did not show I will be. Ask me neutrally
about anything, and I will tell you my ideas. But NEVER expect something out of
me, or I will resent you for it.
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