A New Religion??

A while back a friend of mine who reads this stuff asked if I was trying to start a new religion. It made me think about what the question really means.

There are a few "major" religions and hundreds or more "minor" ones around the world. Each major religion at least is divided into several subdivisions from "orthodox," to "protestant," to "progressive." Those are divided into different subdivisions, often by region, led by people with different interpretations of the main religion. Each of those sub-sub-divisions are practiced somewhat differently within each parish, church, synagogue, temple or whatever, depending on the thoughts and ideals of the spiritual leader. Within that are individuals and families of attendees who come from different upbringings whose core beliefs and practices vary from that of the local spiritual leader in the church they have elected to feel a part of.

Even those who profess to be the most devoutly orthodox often differ widely on the interpretation of the rituals and underpinnings of that religion. The Catholic Cardinals, about as high up in that organization as you can get, are followers of different versions of that religion. Apparently the new Pope is the first from the Jesuit group of religiously orthodox Catholics. One would think that if there was one religion that the followers of the oldest christian-based one would have complete agreement at the very top.

Then of course, the majority of the population, at least in the US, are irregular attendees at any church and have wildly divergent beliefs based on their own thoughts on the world. Almost 1 in 5 who answered the question admit that they follow no religion at all. Among that majority of Americans are atheists, agnostics, non-deists, deists, and a whole host of others who either do not believe in any god, are not sure if they do or do not, or could care less either way and never really think about it. I think most of us have "religions" or spiritual beliefs that change significantly through our lives based on things we read, things that happen to us, people we meet, ideas shared and significant moments that make us evaluate our lives.

So, when asked "am I trying to start another religion" with my weird thoughts on things, the answer is, I suppose so, yes. Mine.

Just like you have created your own belief system (even a determined lack of belief is a belief system). I am sure that yours is something that you are comfortable with and makes you feel good about your life day to day and within the grander scheme of things. And I don't expect you to believe ANYTHING I write, just as I expect you will not mind that I don't take as "gospel" anything you or anyone else has to say on the subject.

That being said, perhaps we can all learn from one another a bit more from time to time about the mysteries of life. I am listening and interested!!