Do you know what I'm talking about?
I get really frustrated with religious people sometimes. I'm sure I fall into the category of those who think they got it right as opposed to x, y and z, who got it aaaaalll wrong, which I'm not proud of, but some things just leave me really frustrated.
I don't understand people who are not satisfied with the 10 commandments, the few dogmas and the catechism. They need more, more rules, more structure. The part that I find essential to religion, which is a personal relationship with God, always new, never really explainable, always incomplete and a little scary, but as necessary as air to breathe - that is the part that seems to scare them. Like you can't really rely on "faith". They need rules, or at least strong recommendations in all areas of life, like clothes, hobbies, media,... well, whatever people have different preferences or tastes for. They long for stricter rules, so everything can be measured, classified and put into neat little drawers, so everybody knows who's good, who's bad, or well, at least "very unwise".
This attitude makes my hair stand up. It feels like looking at Van Gogh's sunflowers and judging their beauty by how many inches the petals are and whether he stayed "inside the lines" when he applied the color. I can not imagine a greater misunderstanding. They see people dancing happily and all they look for is if someone is implying some sort of dirty sexual connotation when moving their hips, they see someone enjoying their body, their talent, their freedom and they smell sin - anything that seems exhuberant, out of control is a threat, it has to be measured, judged and rejected. Let's just make clear rules for EVERYTHING so we can finally sit down, relax and stop figuring things out. Instead we just follow the rules and KNOW we are good people.
The worst part about this attitude is that these people actually spend their day having dirty thoughts. Their focus is on the bad, on watching out for it, expecting it, anticipating it. They look at the world through their dark dark glasses, trying to live a good life by emphasizing the worst of the worst.
I knew a priest once who was amazingly informed about anything political or cultural in the world. He pointed out things to me about the value of human self-expression whether they belonged to the "right faith" or not. He appreciated what was divine about humans, acknowledging that it was always there, even if the person was far away from God in the classical sense. At first I was surprised... and then: what a relief. So many things fell into place for me. I didn't have to judge ALL the time. I didn't have to have negative feelings towards everyone who seemed to "get it wrong". It shouldn't destroy one's enjoyment of Mozart's music when one finds out his life was less than perfect. It shouldn't even include a "but". Yeah, his music is great, BUT...
I mean, let's be honest. What do we really know about God and his plans? Who are we to try to classify HIS work? We have a hard time understanding a person from another culture, yet they are as much created by him as we are. How would we ever comprehend the whole world? I can not stand this narrow view of "I know what I've seen and I'm pretty darn sure my personal experience is definitely the first to consult when it comes to judging the lives of the remaining 6 billion people on this earth!". All you have to do is label your fear and your scrupulosity as good ol' christian righteousness and you're good to go.
I guess what calms me down is that I haven't yet met one of these religious "tape measures" who produced any kind of memorable piece of art or inspired any generosity of heart in anyone.
Plus those people are not fun to be with. You end up thinking: "Sir, even if you were really right...I mean, you might be, I don't know. Maybe a skirt shorter than an inch above the knee really IS a threat to the sanctity of the family. So even, if you do have a valid point... you are not much fun to hang out with. You make me feel miserable. I'd listen to you, but I have a hard time hearing what you're saying because you look so unhappy, so tense and angry. You are such a pain to be with. After talking to you, I just want to cry and spit at everyone. I'd rather go and enjoy 5 minutes of silence while I wear my short skirt, read the liberal newspaper and listen to music by a homosexual composer."
Yes, I know exactly what you're talking about. And I should probably leave it at that so I don't scandalize myself or anyone else. ;-)
Yes! I think fanatically religious people are some of the nastiest people in the world. I much rather hang out with a room of humble sinners, then a "I am so superior to everyone else" religious person.
"Lord save me from sour face saints"--St. Theresa of Jesus.
By the way, Dinka, your webpage here is about 20 lines of text too short and I find that incredibly immodest. I hope you search your conscience and find that you agree with me.
maryanne,
i have to tell you this was not very charitable of you. i can tell you that because it falls in the category of reprimanding your brother (ok, or sister) when they sin. the bible says i can. so there you go! ;)
ds
LOL! Am I *ever* very charitable?
Besides you only checked the Bible. What about the Catechism, Casti Connubi, Humanae Vitae, or the Canon?
*lol* dinka & maryanne, you are fun, i can't stop laughing
I agree, this conversation of Maryanne and Dinka, really made me smile. :) You know I am so dense I didn't get it at first.
hi dinka!
i'm writing on englih so the whole world can understand what i'm saying (and also, it is an opportunity to see how bad my grammar is). i was in cres for a few days and stricek tomas is there so he told me about your website. i like it! i hope you're ok - i am:)
i will give the address to tereza, or maybe you already did that? ...anyway, i hope we will see each other sometimes in the future, take care
kat
du sprichst mir aus der seele