shut up! (really)
Although I like to keep it positive on this blog, I’ve really had it. The subject applies to anyone who has ever uttered or written the term “all christians”, “all atheists” or even “all religions”. Nothing makes me want to go out and buy a bible and go to church as often as possible more than people who would decry “all Christians” (or religious group of choice) as brainwashed idiots who just aren’t smart enough to realize there is no God. Likewise, every time someone insinuates that “all atheists” are likely unenlightened wanna-be-devil-worshipers I’m looking for the needle to sew a big “A” on the front of my shirt.
The point is the people making these declarations are extreme and are doing NOTHING for the religious dialog. As someone who loves the conversation, the debate over God these types of statements are pure trash. They add nothing to collective knowledge about the group, they show an enormous amount of personal ignorance, and immediately turn me away from what they have to say.
There will always be atheists, there will always be people who believe in God(s) – so if you don’t have anything truly constructive to add to the conversation about how both groups can live peacefully in their belief system, SHUT UP!
We had a similar discussion yesterday in the class I’m teaching right now. Essentially, when we find this kind of rhetoric where someone (usually taken to be a spokesperson or an authority) speaks for “all” Christians or Muslims or what not, we must, MUST! ask “who is benefiting from this kind of rhetoric?” Because there is an enormous disconnect between whoever utters this kind of speech and those who actually live out their ordinary lives within the tradition being championed/vilified by “the authority.” It comes down to politics, which ultimately comes down to power.
Benedict
June 19, 2009 at 9:26 pm