I take great issue with organized religion, especially the ones that are patriarchal in nature and has deep ties to our government (take a wild guess at which one I’m referring to!). The hypocrisy and the attitude of moral superiority of it all incenses me. Truly no one knows what happens after death... and isn’t that what religion is supposed to be all about? Is the fundamental aspect of religion to hope that where we go after we kick the can is a nice place? If you’re nice in this life, you get to there in the next one. So, the thought of one made-up notion is better than someone else’s made-up notion of what happens in the afterlife is the most absurd thing in the universe, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in a higher power and I believe it’s important to have spirituality present in one’s life. And I also believe the answers are not in a book a bunch of men wrote a long time ago. On that same note, I also believe that we all have the right to believe in our spiritual ideology of our choosing. I’ll be damned (pun intended) if those ideologies are forced upon me.
“If you’re nice in this life” is good enough for me! apparently to so many religions it also includes being in the right frat. If you’re initiated into the frat down the street that is pretty much the same rules but “wrong” house... NO SOUP FOR YOU in the afterlife.
Apr 17, 2023·edited Apr 17, 2023Liked by Stephanie Jucar Cooley
Oy, religion! I’m pretty mixed up about it, but like you, I agree it should be a supportive community for everyone. My godfather was gay and used to take me to Agape church with him sometimes. I think it’s the same as Unity church and I recall a lot of singing and a very diverse group of congregants. It struck me as a very inclusive place of worship.
I went to a Unitarian church and that seems to be the closest to inclusive church I’ve seen. I appreciated it and think I need to check it out again. I will check out Agape!
Very much appreciate your outlook on religion and spirituality. I was raised Christian but never really internalized the specific teachings nor did I particularly agree with the religion itself. I like how you emphasize openness because that’s where I find myself at these days. I have many friends who walk in different faiths and find that I can appreciate different aspects of these religions and their philosophies. I think my issue with religion, as you mention, has been its hypocritical nature when it’s projected onto others.
Yes, thank you for reading. Always love your eloquent comments. I find the projections are so harsh and terrible and don’t match what I assume the religion would want to represent. The exclusionary culture is very hypocritical and I’m tired of seeing it
Interesting post Stephanie and I have thought about writing about faith myself. I was raised Catholic but no longer practise, my relationship with faith has evolved.
You saying this makes me feel relieved. I often wonder if there are others who find spirituality like a buffet. Take the good stuff! Leave the crappy overcooked mystery meat under the heat lamp :)
I take great issue with organized religion, especially the ones that are patriarchal in nature and has deep ties to our government (take a wild guess at which one I’m referring to!). The hypocrisy and the attitude of moral superiority of it all incenses me. Truly no one knows what happens after death... and isn’t that what religion is supposed to be all about? Is the fundamental aspect of religion to hope that where we go after we kick the can is a nice place? If you’re nice in this life, you get to there in the next one. So, the thought of one made-up notion is better than someone else’s made-up notion of what happens in the afterlife is the most absurd thing in the universe, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in a higher power and I believe it’s important to have spirituality present in one’s life. And I also believe the answers are not in a book a bunch of men wrote a long time ago. On that same note, I also believe that we all have the right to believe in our spiritual ideology of our choosing. I’ll be damned (pun intended) if those ideologies are forced upon me.
“If you’re nice in this life” is good enough for me! apparently to so many religions it also includes being in the right frat. If you’re initiated into the frat down the street that is pretty much the same rules but “wrong” house... NO SOUP FOR YOU in the afterlife.
Sound of hands clapping... every word.
Come around and we will sing kumbaya round the campfire
Oy, religion! I’m pretty mixed up about it, but like you, I agree it should be a supportive community for everyone. My godfather was gay and used to take me to Agape church with him sometimes. I think it’s the same as Unity church and I recall a lot of singing and a very diverse group of congregants. It struck me as a very inclusive place of worship.
I went to a Unitarian church and that seems to be the closest to inclusive church I’ve seen. I appreciated it and think I need to check it out again. I will check out Agape!
Very much appreciate your outlook on religion and spirituality. I was raised Christian but never really internalized the specific teachings nor did I particularly agree with the religion itself. I like how you emphasize openness because that’s where I find myself at these days. I have many friends who walk in different faiths and find that I can appreciate different aspects of these religions and their philosophies. I think my issue with religion, as you mention, has been its hypocritical nature when it’s projected onto others.
Yes, thank you for reading. Always love your eloquent comments. I find the projections are so harsh and terrible and don’t match what I assume the religion would want to represent. The exclusionary culture is very hypocritical and I’m tired of seeing it
Ditto
Interesting post Stephanie and I have thought about writing about faith myself. I was raised Catholic but no longer practise, my relationship with faith has evolved.
I have had this bottled up too and decided it was time to write it when I was a little overwhelmed by the reminders from Easter
Love this! Couldn’t agree more.
You saying this makes me feel relieved. I often wonder if there are others who find spirituality like a buffet. Take the good stuff! Leave the crappy overcooked mystery meat under the heat lamp :)
Haha yes!