"FFR" (part I)

"For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?"
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

"While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions."
--Stephen Covey

It was not until recently I listened to a phrase for the first time. Captivated, but unsure of the meaning, I promptly asked for the explanation. "Carte Blanche" is the word I'm referring to; it means "unrestricted power" or "unconditional authority". Deep freedom underscores this word too. During my drives, I have a knack for taking the scenery in...the cars surrounding my vehicle, building designs, trees, subdivisions, farmland. Billboards always capture my attention. I study the advertisements and begin to ponder whether clever minds in marketing will create opportunities for my money to become separated from the wallet resting in my pant pocket. And staying aware of the chatter in business, from time to time I notice experts who predict the billboard will become a fading method of communication. But I wish to disagree. With the rise of digital billboards, paper usage declines and additional messages join the queue. One billboard message recently caused me to turn my head twice, a double take if you will. The bold statement is simple and unmistakable: "Imagine no religion". The message is furnished by the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

The FFRF exists for one purpose--to maintain the separation of church and state. They accomplish this vision by filing lawsuits, organizing events and advancing "freethinking". The rise of freethinking (or simply atheism for many) is very clear during this moment in time. The God Delusion (Mariner Books, 2008) by Richard Dawkins and God is Not Great (Twelve Books, 2007) by Christopher Hitchens are both NY Times bestsellers. Numerous scientists believe a belief in God is simply laughable. Turning back to the billboard, how does one define "religion"? This word is sporadically interchanged with "belief" or "spiritual", but I will not hesitate to corral it. This word, in its original meaning, means "a set of beliefs". Unfortunately, people or groups have consistently hijacked it during the course of history. Remember the Crusades, and the quest to crush the "infidels" (Muslims). Remember Salem, and the quest to sift out witchcraft. Remember the Ku Klux Klan, and the quest to intimidate, maim or kill people with unique skin color. Remember September 11th and the quest to instill fear in the United States. Each movement has been guided by a belief in God. Respondents believe it is the will of God, a purpose, a mandate, a divine duty. They are mistaken.

I remember seeing the aforementioned book by Hitchens and studying the cover. I honestly don't know why at the time, but I decided to buy it. Looking back, the title truly captured my attention. And I wished to know why he thinks this way. While criticism is undoubtedly coming, I will acknowledge I enjoyed this book. Hitchens is a compelling writer and outlines the numerous ways people who believe in a higher presence miss the mark. He references the history of violence like I did above, global health, the Scriptures, the Koran, sexual repression and whether religion can be likened to child abuse. He closes his book with a case for a "New Enlightenment" a life pursuing rational inquiry, reason, development. He writes, "'Know yourself,' said the Greeks, gently suggesting the consolations of philosophy. To clear the mind for this project, it has become necessary to know the enemy, and to prepare to fight it." A student of Jesus, what will I do with this argument? First, I am willing to acknowledge the subtitle of his book: religion can poison life. But the poison in society is by no means limited to people who believe in the intelligent presence.

A look into the national news validates this poison. Remember the deceased Georgia hiker, murdered by a vile soul. Remember the Marine currently being sought by police for the death of a fellow Marine, who was poised to testify against him regarding a rape allegation. She was pregnant too--the child did not live. A man is currently in jail in Alabama, denied bond and awaiting trial for throwing his 4 young children over a bridge. 2 have been discovered. The list continues, but my soul weeps with each keystroke. Are the felons listed here "religious"? Do they believe in God? I have no idea, but I know without hesitation these actions are simply evil, a poison in the mind, the eyes, the hands. Emerging research in science points to the interactions of neurons and chemicals in the brain as a precursor for this behavior. I am inclined to agree, for who can commit acts like these and not be "out of mind" when they take place? Does the thread of humanity that runs through society simply vanish in moments like this?

God is not Great is resting by my notebook, and in light of the accounts above, I think the title needs revision: Man is not Great. It is man who kills in the name of God, man who misinterprets the words of God, man who believes wealth is the will of God. I'm sure you have noticed I'm using the word God here. Dawkins, like Hitchens, makes a case for God's absence in his lengthy tome. But what I am discovering is a tired monologue on logic once more. One cannot prove the existence of God scientifically, nor can one disprove him. Yet each try to outdo the other and finally make a case once and for all. Enough already. This argument is becoming boring (like creation vs. evolution). In 1971, John Lennon penned a song for the world, aptly titled "Imagine". With the Vietnam War continuing and protestors clamoring for peace, this anthem moved the adherents concerned with social rebellion and immediate change. The song is the quintessential hope for peace, brotherhood and abandonment of possessions. Lennon also invites listeners to disregard heaven, hell and religion altogether, lines that will continually be met with criticism. But he brings me full circle too: imagine no religion.

I will always give high marks to "Kingdom of Heaven" (2005), directed by Ridley Scott, for it continues to be a highly respected film of mine. Oddly enough, the story revolves around the Crusades and the quest to occupy the city of Jerusalem. In a memorable scene, the blacksmith Balian speaks with one of his father's men, convinced he no longer hears from God and has "lost his religion". The reply is amazing: "I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves." Is holiness the antithesis, the antidote for the poison I believe religion is? Is the antithesis of religion right action, the alignment of the mind and the heart? I think it might be.

Comments

[Michael Uhr]

Hey Austin,

I try and keep current on your writing. It is undeniable that you have a God inspired gift; I particularly enjoyed this one. I appreciate the fact that you raise questions that, unfortunately, are avoided by a large portion of "people of faith."

-Michael