Fear Factor
Sep. 10th, 2004 08:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eggwardsI'm going to try not to over write (nee, overthink) this next statement (besides, I need to go to work!). If I get to deep, I might muck it up.
If the creator, God, whatever - I'm sort of noncommittal to any one religion, really wanted his creations to worship him day and night, he wouldn't have allowed free will. I'm personally of the opinion that the creator is sitting there watching the largest reality TV program, and only steps in when necessary. Is there a reward system? It's not made entirely clear. People have faith, people believe that there is a reason to stay in the "producer's" favor, but beyond that belief, there is little evidence that you'll win.
Good is good for society, of course.
Religion for too many centuries has been used to hold people in their current situation. Often Christianity was oriented to a past that included serfs, indentured servants, and lords. What better way to keep the serfs from overthrowing the lords than telling them that their true reward comes from staying in the faith, and not rocking the boat in this world. It's only after the Enlightenment of the 17th-18th centuries that you find the true revolts of the people.
When people take control of their own lives, people succeed. It's a tough statement for many. It's much easier to hope that a benefactor will come and take you away from where you are now, be it the state, Donald Trump, or the aforementioned creator.
To quote Nancy Griffith, channeled by Bette Midler, "God is watching us, from a distance"
If the creator, God, whatever - I'm sort of noncommittal to any one religion, really wanted his creations to worship him day and night, he wouldn't have allowed free will. I'm personally of the opinion that the creator is sitting there watching the largest reality TV program, and only steps in when necessary. Is there a reward system? It's not made entirely clear. People have faith, people believe that there is a reason to stay in the "producer's" favor, but beyond that belief, there is little evidence that you'll win.
Good is good for society, of course.
Religion for too many centuries has been used to hold people in their current situation. Often Christianity was oriented to a past that included serfs, indentured servants, and lords. What better way to keep the serfs from overthrowing the lords than telling them that their true reward comes from staying in the faith, and not rocking the boat in this world. It's only after the Enlightenment of the 17th-18th centuries that you find the true revolts of the people.
When people take control of their own lives, people succeed. It's a tough statement for many. It's much easier to hope that a benefactor will come and take you away from where you are now, be it the state, Donald Trump, or the aforementioned creator.
To quote Nancy Griffith, channeled by Bette Midler, "God is watching us, from a distance"
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no subject
Date: 2004-09-10 07:26 am (UTC)And I don't know that taking control of one's own life is mutually exclusive of faith in God's actions in the world or in my life. I don't necessarily believe that God is micromanaging my life somehow, but i don't believe he's not involved, either.
Every day is a gift, as are friends and loved ones. I'm very thankful for all of that.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-11 10:20 am (UTC)I think the creator either left us to our own devices, or is much more benevolent than many believe, allowing us to choose our own way. Besides the details of a ticking clock, gravity and other points of nature, I don't think he really cares who we love, or what kind of car we drive.
Of course, you can also tell that I don't have a well-defined sense of the creator.
You're right, everyday is a gift, and what we choose to do with that gift is important.