Switched Keys

On occasion I've read Mark Morford write about all the violence surrounding religion and his descriptive name-calling of every visible aspect of religious protest is quite entertaining.

You might not like him bashing Christianity (or other religion) and their angry and violent tendencies. But then it could really be quite normal for him to respond that way to anything God-related. His religious preference must dictate such a response. Yes religious. Religion has more to do with God. It is a philosophy of life love and justice. And Mark's thoughts are just as religious as those of Bob Jones or Osama Bin Laden.

Mark writes under the assumption that his belief system is supreme because it has the ability to judge all other faiths based its own philosophies. He might justify his faith because it may not have a name but it is just as much a belief system as any orthodox church. He criticizes them because they are fighting and bashing other faiths or those without faith. Mark's "faith" is no different from Christianity or Islam. His rage against zealotry is just as judgmental as a fire and brimstone sermon from a revival pulpit's call to repentance.

Should Muslims faithful to their division of Islam be obligated to follow its precepts? Are Christians also required to do as they feel God has lead them? Should religious factions fight for what is right in the sight of their God? Should Mark be so critical of them all? If he is going to faithful to whatever he puts his faith in absolutely.

The question is what does he believe? That all religion is evil or maybe that all religions are equally valid? Do all belief systems lead to some form of heaven even if it is on earth? If so none of them are worth the value of a plugged nickel.

If there is such a thing as truth; if there really is one answer to the arithmetic query two plus two; then any intelligent look at religion must actually look for the answer to the question What is truth and if the evidence leads to it Who Where What is God? But few people do that. Instead they attack from whatever vantage points random events or their culture have lead them to.

The implication seems to be that religion leads to fanaticism and that in itself is a judgment against religion. If that is so it is just as appropriate for atheism humanism or whatever faith it is that worships the unknown god.

There is one advantage to being a Christian. That is the idea that God can take care of Himself. He doesn't need some devoted follower to strap himself with a string of bombs and blow up a shopping mall of infidels because someone name a teddy bear after Him. That's idiotic. Or at least that's my belief.