Religious Congregations
The essentiality of religion is a part of the human narrative, that helps us bear the burden of being human and trying to tell us why we are here. I stress on the word narrative since most believers take it as the ultimate truth practiced through faith.
While I would be comfortable in having faith and believing that my life has meaning and all my suffering has a purpose. I cannot apply the same logic while trying to land on the moon, trying to understand someone’s sexuality or my own personal faults.
What do the religious texts, and here I look at the Bible, mean when they talk of the congregation being brought about by our beliefs and faith. Does it mean that we go to special buildings listen to a sole voice with the supposed ultimate truth on faith? Or does congregation mean to come together and be vulnerable, for man is equal in the eyes of God? There is a verse that emphasizes the importance of knowing God before standing before any man. With this quote in mind we are able to stand before any man and testify about our faith, and how it has helped us cope with life’s burdens. Is this the congregation?
Maybe, for listening to someone testify, one is encouraged to push on, immerse themselves more in the faith despite any challenge they might face. But most congregations have become dogmatic factories profiting the owners. Doing nothing more but manufacturing fear and hatred. How does this help the individual cope and bear the realities, other than filling them with anger and despair? To the point that some religious believers blow themselves up to expedite their supposed journey to heaven.
It is not saying that the congregation or faith doesn’t console, for their rituals and practice make its members feel transcendent since there is some beauty to the song, prayer, and recitation of the religious texts, but that doesn’t any of it’s supposed benefits true. If you want to believe that snake oil has its cures, you are free to do so, and congregate with your fellow snake oilers and share your healing stories. But never make the claim that it is a proven cure.
I speak for those who will be indoctrinated into the community, without being told on the role of the individual in the grand narrative, and leave the individual make a decision without the appeal to fear and bludgeoning from an alleged divine superiority. The might of the ocean is with each individual drop that feeds it, and religions need to realize that their strength is not in their divinity but with every individual that chooses to believe.
