The Vltava River, Prague, The Czech Republic. 2007
(Photo krb)
I think that I unwittingly caused a professional who I was speaking with this morning some level of surprise when, in passing, I said that I was agnostic. I noted her surprise so I added that I believed that anyone who thought through the belief structure of the church would arrive at some level of agnosticism. I should have added, for extra clarity, that my agnosticism was in relation to many of the doctrinal issues of the church which had been handed down to us from prescientific times which were still held onto, uncritically, by the church in order maintain the status quo but which make no sense and are absurd in the 21st century.
There are two basic doctrinal issues about which I am either agnostic or which I simply no longer believe because I think that they are absurd in the 21st century. The first is that God is a male being who is separate from us who we address in terms such as 'father'. I see no reason whatsoever for holding onto this long-held doctrine of the church. But it is held on to by the conservative church because it continues to justify its patriarchal structure which allows men to dominate positions of power and authority and women to be 'kept in their place'.
The second is related. That is what Richard Rohr calls our dualistic way of thinking about God. That is that God is a separate being who lives in a realm separate from humanity somewhere 'up there' who looks down upon us and judges every one of our actions to determine whether we are good or sinful. This leads to a system of reward and punishment in which after our earthly life is finished, the good go to live in heaven while the sinful go to everlasting punishment. To me, this is totally at odds with our best understanding that God is somehow wrapped up with mind-blowing, amazing, unconditional, unstoppable love for everyone and everything.
To me it is enough to believe that God is mystery.
Every blessing as you continue on your journey. May God bless you and be your companion on the way. Please get in touch with me any time to say g'day.
Peace, justice and blessings to all.
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