The other day my friend Karl asked me, “Danny, do you ever feel fed up with religion?”
“Sometimes,” I answered, “Why are you asking me that question?”
“Because the Jewish New Year is around the corner, and I’m reflecting,” he said.
“I‘m having a hard time believing in a Creator.
“Maybe he exists, maybe he doesn’t. So far neither religion nor science can prove his existence or the lack of it.”
“So you’re having a hard time figuring out if there’s a God or not?” I confirmed.
“Even if there is a God,” he said, “does he really need our ceremonies and prayers. Do they affect him in any way?”
Who Knows?
“I haven’t a clue,” I answered. “He never consulted me personally regarding that matter.”
Karl laughed.
“I have a hard time communicating with someone or something I’m not sure exists. And even if it does…” he said, “what’s the big deal about praying to him, asking for forgiveness or observing the commandments?”
“The ceremonies and prayers are meant for our own benefit, not for his,” I answered. “Through prayers and the observance of the commandments, we constantly improve ourselves. It’s like taking an inventory of who we are and how we interact with our environment.”
“I see,” he said.
Aspects of Faith
“One can view faith in different ways.” I continued. “One is that faith can be understood as being independent from religion. Another is that faith is part and parcel of religion.
“The downside is that when faith is part of religion, it can be used as a tool to brainwash and control a group of people and their lifestyle. The benefits are that religion functions as the foundation for a flourishing and vibrant community life with support groups, private schools, charity organizations and the like.”
“Danny,” he asked, “don’t you feel at times like giving up all the restrictions of religion and living your life differently?”
“Yes, sometimes I do. It’s similar to when I’m in a hurry and have the urge to run a red light. Yet, I realize the consequences. So I obey the law.
A Matching Principle
“The same is with religion, except that the immediate outcome of any transgression might not be as obvious due to the principle of freedom of choice.
“An obscure outcome leaves the choice of faith in our hands. To those who have such faith, life is straight forward. Whatever happens, for better or for worse, it’s all being directed by a supreme power.
“To those who have no faith, life is a matter of chance. Simply put, they have no one to turn to,” I concluded.
“So what’s the right answer?” he asked.
“It depends,” I answered. “As humans we strive for order and predictable outcomes in our life. Societies that are structured around a healthy, humane and a just constitution will thrive. Those who don’t, like ancient Sparta, will eventually obliterate themselves.
Distinct Differences
“The same is true with religion, except that religion offers additional principles and ethics that aren’t a part of any civil law, such as honoring our parents and the elderly, visiting the sick, donating to charity, respecting others as we ourselves would like to be respected, and the need for social gatherings in the way of communal prayers.
“From the religious point of view, these commandments stem from the Creator of the universe, and therefore are undisputable,” I explained.
“Yet,” said Karl, “faith can cause chaos, hatred, fanaticism and zealous conduct.”
“Faith doesn’t cause it,” I said. “Religion does. Faith is pure and neutral. With religion one can manipulate societies. As humans we have the choice to go either
way.
You Have a Choice
“We can use religion in order to build a better world, or we can use it to influence others through political interests and monetary gains.
“Interestingly enough, faith without a religion doesn’t have what it takes to create a community, and as human beings communal life is vital to a meaningful existence.
“The same could be true with societies whose principle is atheism. Some are good and others, like Germany of World War II, can be disastrous. What non-religious communities are lacking, are the ultimate laws of the meaning of life.”
Mr. Bental may be contacted at dbental10@yahoo.com
