Hello readers and welcome to 2012! I haven't been posting entries and there is a reason for that. I've become a English teacher in China and where I'm living doesn't exactly have churches to visit. So most of my experiences of considering religion have been reading, analyzing and reflecting on my experiences thus far.
What do I believe? That it is important to live with virtue and seek to understand what virtue is in order to live it better (which can be by wu-wei, philosophy and critically thinking). I believe in a God, though if I were to define it I would be assuming power I don't have, and my belief is Agnostic (I accept could be wrong and there may not be a God), I think God as first cause and as the incarnation of virtue and where virtue is and comes from (like Plato's true forms) makes sense. What that means in relation to us beyond the standard that we all strive for, I'm not sure. I'm not God.
Because I can't assume supernatural perception of the supernatural (which if it is supernatural must be beyond materialism and the natural world and out of my perception unless nature suddenly does an unexpected change and becomes supernatural). I can't count it out either. It's for this reason I believe in the possibility of miracles, or natures reversed becoming supernature, many things are possible and the future is unknown. I don't think this should be my basis for acting good though, or that it is truly probable (growing back of limbs on a human being for example). Say a supernatural deity does in fact exist does doing good for It's approval any more virtuous than doing good because it helps oneself, other people and is true? What would be virtuous motivation or right thought? Would it not be egoless thought? At least that makes sense to me. Not acting on approval, fame or reward...simply because it is right and matters to the person or people for whom it is being done for.
The ritual of religion and traditions are a mixed bag (as are the history of faiths and the faiths themselves). Most faiths carry some sort of wrong and vice done against another, while many at the same time claim that the faith changes them into more virtuous beings. That is true for some people I think, which is why I then ask, is it God or the people who has the power in those situations? Is it both? What about the problem of evil in religions that claim guidance by a perfect and good, omnipotent, all-powerful God? (Same goes for Holy Books and the words of God). When I read holy books I see the flaws of people and how far they are from the mark of perfect goodness, and in many cases God is justifying or at least being used to justify it (also justifying good...which again, shows humans speaking rather than God).
Religious ritual is also powerful...it brings people together, it's a common language, a way to say we are the same and one family. This idea of solidarity among humanity I think is important (though not with moral relativity - abuse of children and women (and abuse as whole), rape, murder, genital mutilation, "honor" killings, oppression of women and GLBTQ people, stealing, cheating on a spouse, etc.) are clearly wrong beyond thought crime (thought crime should not be prosecuted) and must be stopped.
These are actions that bring trauma and end life. There isn't a moral gray on these issues because of the harm they cause to ones development and how they cause trauma to the one being hurt and unless the person is a complete sadist, to the one doing the action, who is probably acting out on their upbringing and baggage.
If I don't believe in a religion than why continue the blog? Because of people and who knows, I am open to the possibility of the supernatural and religions make the greatest claim to it and miracles. The stories are full of miracles and I always learn from the conversations with others, and the ways that common virtue can but not always touched on in the sermons and stories of others. Maybe me the doubting Thomas can touch the holes in Jesus's (the Risen Christs) hands someday (or the equivalent within another faith)...but I'm not holding my breath. It's an adventure and its a chance to live with integrity and seek truth with others while living with virtue. What more reason do I need?
In the States, and when I can visit places of worship in China or other countries the blog will be updated, but until then...thank you for walking with me.
