I apologise in advanced for the wall of text and mostly boring topics that have already been done to death. I feel the need to discuss this anyway since it's something I put way too much thought into.
Ill just get this started by stating that Ive always truly believed in the unity of all people, across nations, race and class (these two especially being an artificial distinction in my opinion), cultures, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. As such, Ive always looked for ways to unite people of all belief systems, and its always bothered me that there is still intense distrust and/or hatred between religious groups (or at least an overall dislike), and that there is still much conflict with religious overtones.
I will first explain that the number one thing preventing unity, in my opinion, is the problem of Hell. Overdone topic, I know, but Ive always found it deeply troubling. It sounds melodramatic, but its borderline hurtful to me that Ive spent my whole life defending Muslims and Christians, yet a majority of people in both religions would be perfectly okay with me being sent to this weird supernatural version of an Auschwitz on fire except infinitely worse, and instead of eventually dying it just goes on forever. It is honestly just sickening to me that people belief and/or are okay with that. But its not about me. The most troubling thing about this is that encourages a sense of superiority and dehumanizes other groups, which obviously presents a huge challenge to acceptance and unity. As a very small example, the idea that I am human trash and going to Hell was a justification used by those harassing me (despite Mormonism- the predominate religion in my former area-not even teaching eternal damnation lol), and on a much more severe level its an excuse for legitimate persecution of entire peoples for who they are, not what they do. For this reason I have always found it extremely difficult to reconcile Christianity and Islam in particular (excluding some sects of Christianity and individuals in both religions who reject this concept) with other religions and my own atheistic world view. Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Bahaism, etc. are mostly completely compatible with my own belief system (not that I agree with everything or identify with these religions, hence me being an atheist), and for the most part so are Christianity and Islam. Ive had very positive relationships with both. Its just that doctrine of Hell and air of superiority that I think holds them back. When I study these religions and read their scriptures, the overall message, I feel, is not the accepted mainstream doctrine. I feel like the intended message is not that non-Christians/non-Muslims will go to Hell, so I hope Christians and Muslims will give their scriptures/traditions an honest re-evaluation to see if this is true.
Another problem for me (in most major religions) is the problem of mistreating LGBT people. I think this is another issue preventing the unity of all people. LGBT is not really a choice, and most major religions condemn it. This is another area in which I hope we can give an honest re-evaluation. Some of the first countries/regions to legalise gay marriage were predominately Catholic, so I know they can be reconciled (though I wonder what the theological justification for that is myself as someone not too familiar with the Bible
).
I think something that religious people and atheists need to realise is that our religious/non-religious identities are not a choice (as many scriptures imply). There is an element of choice (e.g. you can choose to read the Quran, but if you are not genuinely convinced theres not much else you can do), but really these identities are the product of our upbringing, our environment, our individual instinct and values, with a small element of choice to go with it. Thats why religions form complex societies within themselves and are discussed almost in the same way race and gender are discussed. Its also why we tend to judge each other for who we are and not what we do.
My atheistic world view accommodates all religions, and I want to find common ground in which all religions can accept each other in addition to atheists. No damning to Hell, no feeling superior to each other, no distrust, no bad feelings, etc. Only full cooperation and genuine acceptance. My instinct combined with basic knowledge tells me that this is consistent with all religious traditions, and if not, challenge me. Hopefully we can make it work.
Some things almost every belief system has in common:
1. We make an honest effort to find the real truth.
2. We strive to live what we feel is a righteous life, even if we sometimes disagree on what is righteous or whether or not righteousness is even an objective concept.
3. We are open to all possibilities
That right there, in my opinion, should be enough for us all to be fully compatible. There is no active rejection of each others system, and therefore no reason to distrust each other, feel superior to each other, damn each other to hell, not cooperate with each other, etc.
Id like for this to be a thread of reconciliation where people can discuss my confusion if you want, but should be open for everyone to introduce new view points on the subject. Or dont discuss it if this is a bad thread. Wow over 1,000 words Im such a dork, but hopefully Ill find a sense of closure to all of this. Basically get every grievance you have with another belief system you have out and let's work it out. Hopefully we'll get some interesting discussion out of it.
Ill just get this started by stating that Ive always truly believed in the unity of all people, across nations, race and class (these two especially being an artificial distinction in my opinion), cultures, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. As such, Ive always looked for ways to unite people of all belief systems, and its always bothered me that there is still intense distrust and/or hatred between religious groups (or at least an overall dislike), and that there is still much conflict with religious overtones.
I will first explain that the number one thing preventing unity, in my opinion, is the problem of Hell. Overdone topic, I know, but Ive always found it deeply troubling. It sounds melodramatic, but its borderline hurtful to me that Ive spent my whole life defending Muslims and Christians, yet a majority of people in both religions would be perfectly okay with me being sent to this weird supernatural version of an Auschwitz on fire except infinitely worse, and instead of eventually dying it just goes on forever. It is honestly just sickening to me that people belief and/or are okay with that. But its not about me. The most troubling thing about this is that encourages a sense of superiority and dehumanizes other groups, which obviously presents a huge challenge to acceptance and unity. As a very small example, the idea that I am human trash and going to Hell was a justification used by those harassing me (despite Mormonism- the predominate religion in my former area-not even teaching eternal damnation lol), and on a much more severe level its an excuse for legitimate persecution of entire peoples for who they are, not what they do. For this reason I have always found it extremely difficult to reconcile Christianity and Islam in particular (excluding some sects of Christianity and individuals in both religions who reject this concept) with other religions and my own atheistic world view. Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Bahaism, etc. are mostly completely compatible with my own belief system (not that I agree with everything or identify with these religions, hence me being an atheist), and for the most part so are Christianity and Islam. Ive had very positive relationships with both. Its just that doctrine of Hell and air of superiority that I think holds them back. When I study these religions and read their scriptures, the overall message, I feel, is not the accepted mainstream doctrine. I feel like the intended message is not that non-Christians/non-Muslims will go to Hell, so I hope Christians and Muslims will give their scriptures/traditions an honest re-evaluation to see if this is true.
Another problem for me (in most major religions) is the problem of mistreating LGBT people. I think this is another issue preventing the unity of all people. LGBT is not really a choice, and most major religions condemn it. This is another area in which I hope we can give an honest re-evaluation. Some of the first countries/regions to legalise gay marriage were predominately Catholic, so I know they can be reconciled (though I wonder what the theological justification for that is myself as someone not too familiar with the Bible
).I think something that religious people and atheists need to realise is that our religious/non-religious identities are not a choice (as many scriptures imply). There is an element of choice (e.g. you can choose to read the Quran, but if you are not genuinely convinced theres not much else you can do), but really these identities are the product of our upbringing, our environment, our individual instinct and values, with a small element of choice to go with it. Thats why religions form complex societies within themselves and are discussed almost in the same way race and gender are discussed. Its also why we tend to judge each other for who we are and not what we do.
My atheistic world view accommodates all religions, and I want to find common ground in which all religions can accept each other in addition to atheists. No damning to Hell, no feeling superior to each other, no distrust, no bad feelings, etc. Only full cooperation and genuine acceptance. My instinct combined with basic knowledge tells me that this is consistent with all religious traditions, and if not, challenge me. Hopefully we can make it work.
Some things almost every belief system has in common:
1. We make an honest effort to find the real truth.
2. We strive to live what we feel is a righteous life, even if we sometimes disagree on what is righteous or whether or not righteousness is even an objective concept.
3. We are open to all possibilities
That right there, in my opinion, should be enough for us all to be fully compatible. There is no active rejection of each others system, and therefore no reason to distrust each other, feel superior to each other, damn each other to hell, not cooperate with each other, etc.
Id like for this to be a thread of reconciliation where people can discuss my confusion if you want, but should be open for everyone to introduce new view points on the subject. Or dont discuss it if this is a bad thread. Wow over 1,000 words Im such a dork, but hopefully Ill find a sense of closure to all of this. Basically get every grievance you have with another belief system you have out and let's work it out. Hopefully we'll get some interesting discussion out of it.
