Something that irks me
religion.
more specifically, the fact that religion is socially exempt from the question "why?". It has become increasingly obvious to me (in part due to my own curiosities) that asking someone to explain why they believe what they believe is considered rude and offensive. It is not socially acceptable to question someone's religious beliefs. This is astonishing to me.
In my mind, it follows logically that if you are going to dedicate your life to upholding a particular set of moral values, you should know why you uphold those values. Religious beliefs are at the core of so many people's way of life. If i ask you why you enjoy video games, or why you believe that Literature is the best major for you, most people are ready with a well reasoned response. Why not also with religion?
I have always stated that i believe what i do because it is the best way of living based on what i know. I also have upheld that claim, and have spent three years in a state of logical perusing of religions and spiritual paths. I am careful about the force i use to discuss my personal beliefs, because i still hold that they will change if something more sensical presents itself.
I think it is horrible that discussing religious beliefs is so taboo in our culture because it allows people to adhere firmly to beliefs they haven't fully considered. A person truly comfortable and confident in their spiritual path shouldn't shy away from discussions of their beliefs. Beyond that, if a person is willing to dedicate their life to following one religious practice, they should know enough about it to defend why they chose that one over all other possible religions or spiritual paths.
Bear in mind, i'm not saying that people should write a dissertation about how they have looked at all the worlds religions and settled on one in particular-- i recognize that spirituality isn't as strong a force in everyone's life. But, having some idea why you follow what you do is necessary, even if it's as little as "This is the only thing i have been exposed to".
Bottom line, it irks me that it is socially taboo to discuss religion because it means that many people are saved the necessity of understanding why they believe what they believe. Antiquated notions of belief are preserved because they are never questioned. Logic shouldn't be exempt from any aspect of life, and it bothers me that the modern world sees religion as an exemption to logical discussion.
more specifically, the fact that religion is socially exempt from the question "why?". It has become increasingly obvious to me (in part due to my own curiosities) that asking someone to explain why they believe what they believe is considered rude and offensive. It is not socially acceptable to question someone's religious beliefs. This is astonishing to me.
In my mind, it follows logically that if you are going to dedicate your life to upholding a particular set of moral values, you should know why you uphold those values. Religious beliefs are at the core of so many people's way of life. If i ask you why you enjoy video games, or why you believe that Literature is the best major for you, most people are ready with a well reasoned response. Why not also with religion?
I have always stated that i believe what i do because it is the best way of living based on what i know. I also have upheld that claim, and have spent three years in a state of logical perusing of religions and spiritual paths. I am careful about the force i use to discuss my personal beliefs, because i still hold that they will change if something more sensical presents itself.
I think it is horrible that discussing religious beliefs is so taboo in our culture because it allows people to adhere firmly to beliefs they haven't fully considered. A person truly comfortable and confident in their spiritual path shouldn't shy away from discussions of their beliefs. Beyond that, if a person is willing to dedicate their life to following one religious practice, they should know enough about it to defend why they chose that one over all other possible religions or spiritual paths.
Bear in mind, i'm not saying that people should write a dissertation about how they have looked at all the worlds religions and settled on one in particular-- i recognize that spirituality isn't as strong a force in everyone's life. But, having some idea why you follow what you do is necessary, even if it's as little as "This is the only thing i have been exposed to".
Bottom line, it irks me that it is socially taboo to discuss religion because it means that many people are saved the necessity of understanding why they believe what they believe. Antiquated notions of belief are preserved because they are never questioned. Logic shouldn't be exempt from any aspect of life, and it bothers me that the modern world sees religion as an exemption to logical discussion.