It has often been noted that most people who follow a religion, follow the religion of their parents. It has therefore been questioned how legitimate their adherence to, and defense of, said religion could possibly be.
I.e., a baby born in Poland would probably grow up to be Roman Catholic. That same baby, if it chanced to come to earth in Saudi Arabia, would probably be Muslim. In Russia, Orthodox Christian. Israel, Jewish.
If he adhered to his parental faith, he would therefore feel quite comfortable believing in its superiority to all others; and he/she would espouse the logic of the Incarnation, the Quran, Iconography or the Talmud, respectively -- even though his/her outlook appears to be no more than an accident of geography/birth.
Should we then suggest that the only true believer is a convert from some other faith?
What of more secular conceptions?
Patriotism? Politics?
Must we conclude that the only human being who is truly qualified to sit in Linus Van Pelt's Pumpkin Patch of Sincerity, is an emigrant convert/agnostic who has severed all ties (cultural, linguistic, national and religious) to his/her past?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Who could sit in Linus' Pumpkin Patch?
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3 comments:
One must bear in mind this is merely a pumpkin patch – true my friend? Never the less the seeds have been reaped for generations; rather dictated by a society sane or insane or directed by a religion opinionated or not. Hence; if seeds were to be severed, would there be any more innocent children like Linus Van Pelt? Might even the Pumpkin itself cease to exist? I enjoy my pies and children’s laughter to much to risk this! I say let the seeds scatter where they must – as they have and always will; for isn’t it in the very roots itself that will truly determine the ‘sincerity’ of it all? Rather it be your roots or mine, or another pumpkin gone a rye. Come, sit awhile if you like; have a slice of Pumpkin pie with me; lets devour what ails us from the inside out, outside in and try to patch the damage later of societies guts hanging on the floor.
~Binding Ink
Hmmm, interesting post.
Yes, I think converts are more likely to be true believers (as a % of total converts)...to have looked in to the religion at depth to which they want to convert and to understand it.
Likewise for emigrants, political converts (who are more politically active and hence probably more politically aware).
However, of course it's logically possible that somebody 'born in to' a faith or indoctrinated politically by their parents
has also looked in to and questioned his own and other faiths or politics in depth and is a true believer in his faith or politik.
I think religion, for the vast majority of people, has got nothing to do with true faith though. Probably more to do with tribalism, power dynamics and group-mentality ie sectarianism and warfare. Somewhat true for politics too.
I will never turn down a slice of pumpkin pie. Preferably with a dollop of whipped cream proudly perched atop its rich, smooth mesa of spicy succulence.
The seeds will indeed scatter where they must, and like most seeds, eventually spread beyond their native soil. Today one can find Muslims in Norway, Hindus in North Dakota and probably a few atheists at the Vatican.
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