June 15, 2009

The Highway to Hell

On Religious Extremism and Being Agnostic

I do not deny the existence of an intelligent designer – God – a presence and influence evident with every breath we take.

Extremism (fundamentalism) demands of it an assuredness of belief that bestows the right of divine vengeance on others. That is where I draw the line.

That we should endeavor to speak for, or imagine to know the thoughts of such a presence, is original sin all over again. Imbuing oneself with authority to dispense divine retribution is The Downfall reign supreme.

I don't know, mind you, I'm agnostic after all, but I would guess that if Hell does exist, the quickest route there is to condemn others to it.

It is disturbing to get anywhere near such minds, charred as they are with ignorance, hatred, and unwavering conviction of their atrophied humanity. But it is instructive and necessary to look, if for no other reason than to understand the level of dysfunction in the human psyche, to recognize it when it creeps into the backwoods of our own mind, and to encourage the fortitude to resist it when it does.

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To the Extremist:

God didn't send the shooter; The murder of Dr. Tiller was not the will of God; God doesn't hate "fags"; You aren't an infidel if you don't believe as I believe (though perhaps not that bright); Democrats can be Christians (or any damn religion they choose – so can Republicans for that matter); And "praying" that Barack Obama will die (and professing such action in public media) is little more than cowardly and criminal.

You are no closer to God than any of these people, to me, or to anyone else. I'll see you in hell.

Of that I can be sure.