I didn't want to write this. Not now. Not now because I'm kinda mad at God right now. Which is just ridiculous but I am and so I don't want to defend him or his people or anything to do with it but I guess I have to because everyone else is either pussying out or cowering in fear of stating this fact
IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT OTHER RELIGIONS IN ORDER TO BE A PART OF ONE RELIGION
What? Of course you should! You should only become a pariticipant in a faith once you've looked around, read, and understood the various religions in this world.
Fuck you, no you don't.
I know especially the moderates in each religion believe that you should. Hell I'll be honest in saying that I think its a good idea but do I think it is a requirement? Does it make your faith less? Does it decrease the knowledge of your religion? Please don't believe I felt the test should have been a measure of faith because I understand the test was about general knowledge of various religions in the world. But most others don't seem to get that. Lets take a look at one of the charts and a quote regarding one of the stories
"Among the topics covered in the survey were: Where was Jesus born? What is Ramadan? Whose writings inspired the Protestant Reformation? Which Biblical figure led the exodus from Egypt? What religion is the Dalai Lama? Joseph Smith? Mother Teresa?"
Where as I believe that you should know these things because of general knowledge in the world. Do I think it is important to your chosen religion? No.
This survey proves that atheist have a greater general knowledge. THAT IS ALL. With questions like these it does not prove they have actually studied the various religions.
Now put an atheist against a member of a faith and ask them 32 questions about that faith and then tell me the results. THEN YOU tout that Atheists know more about religion than those within a faith. THEN you have the right to say that. Right now you're telling me that atheists and agnostics are smart...neat!
Do you know if you're allowed to shower while sitting shiva? I know! And I'm not Jewish (even though I totally find their men hot) Does this make me a better Christian to know this? Does this mean that I have more of a right to believe in my God because I know about the Jewish faith? NO!
Now omg here's the thing too........
"I think that what happens for many Christians is, they accept their particular faith, they accept it to be true and they stop examining it. Consequently, because it's already accepted to be true, they don't examine other people's faiths. … That, I think, is not healthy for a person of any faith," he said.
Like i said I think its nice to learn about other faiths (there are lots of interesting things to learn) and we all get on our sanctimonious horses (which is breed thats never ran at the derby) when we find out a person became "saved" or entered a faith without learning a lot about others.
So tell me.....
After finding that one woman or man that you loved enough to commit to...in say marriage. After the "Yes, I will marry yous" were uttered but before the "I do's" Did you decide to learn about other possible mates?
No, you didn't. You committed to this person. But hey...of course. Lets have more commitment and faith in our husbands and wives than our God. That makes sense to me.
(and yes I know you were looking before that person but in America most of the time you're not forced into a faith and you have the option to look as well! PK talking here...trust me I know)
So I end with this......
Atheists are smart. Yay!
So are Jews! So are Christians! So are Muslims! So are Hindus! So are Jedis!
And ya know what? For all the people who are posting this story every five seconds with your snark. Ya know what? How often do I shove my religion down your throat? how often? twice a day? three times a week? how about never? thats way more accurate.
How often do you guys make jokes about my faith and others faiths? zombie jesus day was so funny the first thousand times.
So ya know? Fuck you. How intolerant are you motherfuckers?
hate you all.
*goes away mumbling about citizenship tests*
I myself didn't appreciate Teller's comment attached to the link - wasn't it something horribly snotty like "no surprise"? - but I thought it was an interesting link.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to remember to reply in greater detail when I'm at a computer.
Short version: anyone who thinks lack of KNOWLEDGE of other religions devalues a person's FAITH is an idiot and people who judge the worth of someone based on their religious views (or lack of them) are likewise fools. (With certain exceptions at the extremes obviously.)