The IRS has recognized the Church of Reality as a religion. What is the Church of Reality? Here's a quote from their site: The Church of Reality is a religion based on the practice of Realism, believing in everything that is real. Our motto is, "If it's real, we believe in it." Since no one knows all of reality, the Church of Reality is about the pursuit of reality the way it really is. We commit to being intellectually honest with ourselves and with others so that we can cut through the mythology. We want to know about the way things really are in the real world.
Well, at least it's not a religion based on unknowns and fiction, like many other religions in the world. But it's still a "religion", which to me means it's a man-made organization of like-minded individuals who grasp on to an idea about man's creation/evolution/existence.
Personally, religion is a farce to me. What one person believes about how we got here is his/her business. I am more of an atheist than anything else, and by that I mean I do not believe in any one organized religion that explains why we are here or how we got here. Is there a god? Who knows. I actually hope there is not. I don't bow down or worship anyone or anything but life itself. If anything, I am my own god because I am at the center of my own belief system.
4 comments:
I think it is arrogant of you to believe yourself to be your own GOD; This extentialistic point of view is EXACTLY why I am against organized religion. Everyone has there own twist on religion and we all manipulate the so called "facts" to our own justifications. I have met many religious zealots who stand on their convictions with pride - and you know what - that closes them to ANY new ideas that conflict with their views. This view applies to atheists too.
My 2 cents:
It is important to be humble and accept there are things in this universe that we just don't understand (yet) and we must seek wisdom and answers in that we do not understand. Furthermore, if we cannot necessarily prove something - it does not mean it isn't real. Think of the early views of Capernicus....
I respect your response, but want to point something out. What I said was "If anything, I am my own god because I am at the center of my own belief system."
This statement is merely meant to illustrate my point of view that each individual has his/her own unique belief system, and because of that fact, the only true "universal god" is oneself. It is the only common ground between all humans...the inner being we all share...what some may call a soul, and others a conscience.
For those who know me personally, I am a most humble person who cares greatly about others. I am by no means arrogant.
I do agree that we must accept the fact that we do not know everything. To that end, I am very open to new ideas. What I do not support, however, is an organized religion that preaches their beliefs as fact.
With over 150 recognized religions all having some commonality - I say that there must be a higher power of some sort out in the universe. Whether you call it God or Ala or Buddha doesnt matter. I agree that in essence - we follow our own path in this arena. However, we must be careful in our overall attitude regarding our understanding of science and the universe.
As a modern day society we generally have become more arrogant because of the modern advances and technologies we have discovered. We forget that centuries ago, men much smarter than us created the pyramids, Machu Pichu, and several other structures WITHOUT the modern day advances we enjoy today. Their understanding of the world, the universe, engineering, math and science was much greater than our own today. Where are thoses great engineers and men of science today? Why such a gap between the ancients and our society of today?
Have you thought about the possibility that the ancients had a little help in building these wondrous monuments? Little grey beings, perhaps?
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