Preston's Reflections
Reflections on World Religion Class today August 14.
What is Religion? Why is this hard to define? It seems the most basic answer is “a set of beliefs about existence, purpose, and the world around us.” Belief systems are adopted by a person or group of people from childhood. Religious beliefs shape our thinking and inform the way a person or group behaves, receives, engages or responds to the world around them. Religion is part of any given culture. Wherever there are people, there you will find religion.
Religion is difficult to talk about. Why? It is a deeply personal subject. It does not answer all of our questions. It is not scientifically proven or validated. It can be frustrating. Religious questions will never go away in this life: What is the meaning of life? What happens when I die? Is there a God and if so, can God be known? Is God good? What about the reality of evil? Where do bad things come from? Why do mom and dad fight if they love each other? How do I understand these feelings that overwhelm me? Is there any room for doubt in religion? Why is prayer so hard and weird? I don't even remember hearing my parents pray and they were religious.
More than likely, in these early years (teenage), religion is a parental influence more than a personal struggle. By now you are beginning to ask bigger questions as you make life observations and go through struggles. I was eleven years old when I began to “pound my fist” (metaphor) at religion and what I'd been taught or heard growing up in church. My parents divorced and I remember hearing my dad say, “I'm leaving boys, and this time I'm not coming back.” My dad said, “God wants me to be happy and I'm not happy anymore.” Those words sent me on a long journey of questions and seeking answers. It took me seven years to deal with that pain and loss and regain a sense of healthy thinking and relationships. Religion was a huge part of my recovery.
I don't have all the answers. I am still learning and seeking truth. This class will allow you to wrestle with life's ultimate questions and the struggles of being human. We hope to create a safe community in our class so that you can study religion and analyze various ideas and beliefs and where they come from.
Religion is difficult to talk about. Why? It is a deeply personal subject. It does not answer all of our questions. It is not scientifically proven or validated. It can be frustrating. Religious questions will never go away in this life: What is the meaning of life? What happens when I die? Is there a God and if so, can God be known? Is God good? What about the reality of evil? Where do bad things come from? Why do mom and dad fight if they love each other? How do I understand these feelings that overwhelm me? Is there any room for doubt in religion? Why is prayer so hard and weird? I don't even remember hearing my parents pray and they were religious.
More than likely, in these early years (teenage), religion is a parental influence more than a personal struggle. By now you are beginning to ask bigger questions as you make life observations and go through struggles. I was eleven years old when I began to “pound my fist” (metaphor) at religion and what I'd been taught or heard growing up in church. My parents divorced and I remember hearing my dad say, “I'm leaving boys, and this time I'm not coming back.” My dad said, “God wants me to be happy and I'm not happy anymore.” Those words sent me on a long journey of questions and seeking answers. It took me seven years to deal with that pain and loss and regain a sense of healthy thinking and relationships. Religion was a huge part of my recovery.
I don't have all the answers. I am still learning and seeking truth. This class will allow you to wrestle with life's ultimate questions and the struggles of being human. We hope to create a safe community in our class so that you can study religion and analyze various ideas and beliefs and where they come from.
Comments
Post a Comment