Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

On blind hope and the awful truth

By Brett Walker - posted Wednesday, 26 November 2008


Don’t get me wrong, I love church architecture, cemeteries can be very peaceful places to sit and ponder things and some of the pageantry of the more arcane religious practices can be quite interesting to watch.

But I also like museums and art galleries, public parks can be great places to loll about in and there are plenty of sub-cultures out there that are fascinating to watch (from boot scooting grannies to face painting footy freaks to sweet, yet angst-ridden young Emos).

The thing that gets me about religion is the pomposity and self-righteousness that goes with so much of the territory. The defenders of religion preface their entire argument upon the acceptance of their position on blind faith. Now most children will until a certain age accept almost any information their parents dish up to them with hardly a raised eyebrow. But as adults we must be cautious of any call to accept anything based on the uncorroborated testimony of the long dead. We must always ask of anyone trotting out that proposition: “But how do you know that is so?” and if they cannot give us a response that satisfies our (hopefully innate) scepticism we must - for safety’s sake - treat them with suspicion.

Advertisement

I imagine this article will draw a string of critics, invective mixed with spleen in an attempt to drown out my core message.

But hopefully one or two of those critics will consider this: no one can disprove that human decency predates religion, nor can they do the same with love, tolerance or peace. If humans are only half as old a race as science tells us we appear to have done perfectly well on our own most of the time without Christ, Buddha, Allah or anyone else to “guide” us along life’s path.

To summarise:

Letting religion obscure your rationality is your own personal problem unless and until you drag the rest of us into your strange little world.

Using your religion as a pretext to cause others pain is an obscenity.

Believe in whatever helps you get through the day but spare us the sermons - and the violence.

Advertisement

We must all ultimately come to terms with our mortality. The prospect of some post mortem paradise may help placate little children in need of comfort when faced with death of a loved one but let us not go into adulthood allowing blind faith in such things to obscure the awful (yet beautiful) truth - life is pitifully short, so grasp it and enjoy it as much as you can, and try to leave a better world behind when you go.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

106 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Brett Walker is a lawyer and small business operator who spends most Sundays enjoying time with his wife and kids. He tried to read the Bible once but got caught up in the begat-fest at the front. He remains sceptical of anyone who would ask him to not be sceptical.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Brett Walker

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 106 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy