Howdy partners! A quote I heard last month was, “If the only people who can talk about religion are perfect, then no one can speak about religion.” I know people may shun organized religions because the leader and/or followers are hypocrites. However, people are hypocritical (including you and me). We literally tell our children, “Do as I say, not as I do.” If you accept that people, including yourself, are hypocritical, then why are you leaving the churches of your God (or Higher Power), because the people were not acting consistent with the teachings of your church/temple? If you truly believe in God/Allah/Yahweh/etc. and his/her teachings, why are you leaving that church for the hypocrites inside of it? UNLESS – you fail to see your own hypocrisy or even worse, can’t admit to your own hypocrisy? Maybe the real reason you shun organized religion is becasue you want to create your own God that supports your beliefs or conforms to your rules/way of life?
As a former pagan, I know the appeal of creating your own God. You make up the rules – not take the words of a bunch of people who died before you were born. You praise your deity when you feel like it – not get up early on the weekends when you want to wake up later. You don’t have to follow a worship format or memorize liturgical stuff, because your God doesn’t ask for money, time, or commitment. Your God is happy that you are just a good person and loves you no matter what sins you have committed. Because he does not judge and your God does not send people to hell or make them suffer for no reason. However, this is just another story you’re telling yourself to justify your actions. I know, because it was the story i told myself for seven years. Basically, we are making ourselves our own God, prophet and martyr.
I never wanted to see my own hypocrisy, just everyone else’s. However, my conscience called me out. I am now more forgiving of hypocrisy. Yes, some leaders have committed sexual abuse (or by their actions supported it). Some leaders are adulterous and have children out of wedlock. Some leaders steal funds and manipulate their followers. Sadly, like I said before – PEOPLE ARE HYPOCRITICAL! But if you need the followers of your religion to be perfect or you won’t attend the church, why do you want to be a member of an ideal church – ARE YOU PERFECT? Soon you will be forced to realize (as I) that a perfect church wouldn’t have you for a member, either, not even your version of God.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:16, “So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Choosing to create your own religion because of the hypocrites in organized religion is almost like being lukewarm, because you are not hot and on fire for your faith. You’re also not cold and an atheist. You have placed yourself on the fence, not favoring either side, aka “spiritual not religious.” As the saying goes, “S**t or get off the pot!” If you truly loved God above all else, you would have no problem being a part of organized religion because you attend church to worship God, not to involve yourself with the church drama. If you truly don’t love God, enjoy your atheism and leave the holy rollers to their God. The message is – choose to believe in something. Be on fire for one God or another. Because lukewarm food tastes nasty after a while. I’m getting off my pulpit now.
Until next time!
R.R. Peace, Author and Poet 