Organized Religion

 

People will say, “I have an issue with organized religion,” while I understand what they mean, the meaning of what they are saying is nonsensical. What then is the inverse of what they oppose? Unorganized religion? Chaotic religion?

They are trying to contrast personally invented “religion” against faiths that have been extant for millennia. But if one steps back and looks at the foundation for this argument, the result is less than fulfilling. They are suggesting that beliefs about eternity, about the existence of god/gods, and the multitude of philosophical questions are better answered by oneself with decades (at best) of experience and knowledge versus the millennia of experience and study by millions of people. Refusing to stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before them, they willingly truncate their potential for growth in wisdom.

Is this not the epitome of American arrogance? In essence, their argument is this. I, with my personal experience, with my very, very limited knowledge, know and understand more than the millions who have gone before me as a collective whole.

This approach is the definition of American Evangelical private interpretation. Ultimately this is about a worldview and belief system that is based on feelings, rather than objective truth, and authority outside of oneself.