Thursday, March 11, 2010
Editorial
Religious rifts mean no future for Jim and Jane
By Matt Kuzawa GVL Columnist
1/27/2010
There are two arguments I tend to avoid, and some may view it as immature, but I find it to be a losing battle no matter your stance.
I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this, but politics and religion are two topics about which I never have and never plan on getting in heated discussions.
Before you rush to judgment, I grew up in a Catholic family, attended mass every single Sunday until I left for college and attended Catholic schools for 10 years.
Many times in my early years of young adulthood I have either engaged in, or been present during, "conversations" regarding difference in opinions on religion and politics.
Neither side can win.
Some people understand this and take the "agree-to-disagree" mentality and want to converse with their classmate, friend or a random person at a party when everybody else is playing card games-- while you find it necessary to start telling them what they have believed for their entire life is wrong.
Save your breath. There is a reason they believe what they believe - because they either chose to believe it to be true or because that is what they grew up believing (and obviously everyone around them - family, friends - turned out fine).
My main motivation for writing this in the first place is based on a close friend's recent situation.
Enter "Jim and Jane." Both tell each other daily how much they love one another. They talk to each other on the phone for hours each day. And both even work at the same place.
However, Jane's family is devoted to its religion, attending church twice every Sunday - the whole shebang. Jim, on the other hand, believes in the same man as Jane does but isn't an active member of any particular church or specific religion.
This causes a rift in Jim and Jane's relationship. Jane's father tells Jim unless he attends church twice on Sunday and takes classes for a year, then he can't be around his daughter. This obviously upsets Jim, and after thinking it over and conversing with family and friends, Jim decides to give it a try for the sake of his and Jane's future.
The next Sunday arrives and Jim walks into the church. But not with Jane's family, mind you, because Jane's father tells Jim he must do it on his own, and he can't sit next to Jane until he is a "legit" member of their religion.
Like salt on the wound.
Jim was still willing to give it a try, though he did doubt religion was even the issue at all, after hearing Jane's father's strict requirements.
But after sitting through a two-hour service, it was obvious Jim and Jane would not work as long as Jane was going to obey her father's (and family's) wishes.
Almost as if the sermon was tailored specifically for Jim athat Sunday, the pastor explained how they are not to associate with other religions and how all those "Jims" out there aren't "Godly" enough to be friends with - even if they work for the same man upstairs and believed in the same man who walked Earth.
How "God-like" is that?
It's laughable how hypocritical and prejudiced some people are toward people of "different" beliefs - despite the fact they believe most of the same things.
It's the label that counts apparently. And for Jim and Jane, that label is what ultimately has ended any potential growth of love. Exactly how God wants it to be, right?
Now, how about some politics?
mkuzawa@lanthorn.com
Comments:
Jake : 2/9/2010
the other side
As a child, your parents tell you pigs can fly. You grow up believing that and eventually go to a liberal arts college.
Someone at the college thinks you should be given a seemingly needed reality check. They say, "You really should investigate your belief, pigs actually cannot fly". You reply, "Well that is your opinion but this is what I choose to believe". They reply, "Did you really choose to? Did you become informed and gather evidence, sit and review it by thinking critically and independently as only a mature adult can?". You reply, "But this is what I grew up believing and what my family believes". They say "does that make it real?". You reply "save your breath, my faith makes it real".
You then go home, write a paper about cell structure (in which you cite sources at the end) while you chat with your kid brother making fun of him for believing in Santa Clause still. Then you marry, have kids, and tell them as children that pigs can fly. The end.
Surely not the best metaphor and not applicable to everybody, but see the issue?
Your a sentient being. Wake up. In other words, you can observe and perceive the world subjectively. If you ignore that, you are no different than an animal (which may be a bad example as they have recently been argued to be sentient as well). Your parents may have had the best intentions but they come from a different time that lacked the wealth of knowledge, ease of access to all kinds of information, and the verb called google we have.
It's not just religion, its everything. I find it hard to be quiet when people can listen to the above mentioned sermon or can vote for Sarah Palin. Don't get me wrong, its very possible to be religious and still think for yourself. Its just that in my experience most people who are religious don't. I leave you with a quote from GVSU's mission and values.
"We value the liberal ideals of critical thinking and preparing students for lifelong learning. The practice of liberal learning develops the skills of inquiry and reflection, which guide students to think for themselves, gain self-knowledge, and make ethical judgment"
: 1/30/2010
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