(chris) NiXoNbyname.com   the way i see it

Trevor Carpenter posted the rather emotive challenge of responding to the following question.

Why do you think Jesus doesn’t have what it takes to be important in your life?

I normally shy away from all religious debate. I find faith a very personal thing and rarely discuss it, even with my own family. I don’t attend any church, so I don’t have a congregation of like-minded people to debate with every week. However, for one time only, I’m in. I hope that none of my views offend (and neither should they) but they allow you to understand how I feel about faith.

I am not religious, but I am not against religion. Each to their own is my feeling. I am, however a little more uncomfortable with large organised religions. Any system which gives people power and influence is open to the flaws of humanity. I believe vast majority of leaders are in it to impart their beliefs to their flock, but I don’t doubt that there are more than you would want in who are in it for their own agenda. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The holy bible is said to be “the word of god”. Once again, though, man gets in the way. The bible was written by man, and translated numerous times by man. Who’s to say that not one of these people had their own flaws. I’m sure that the bible is a great ‘guide to life’, but it surely must be taken that that advice is not perfect.

These are reasons why I don’t partake in organised religion, but that wouldn’t stop me being a Christian, right? I could go my own way, and pray to God and to Jesus in a way that makes me feel comfortable. The truth is I don’t have faith in that way. I need at least some scientific evidence suggesting that something may be true for me to believe something to be true, and there is no scientific evidence that God exists. I understand that that is the point in religion, and that you have to give yourself to your God with all your faith. If there were evidence you wouldn’t need faith, and it wouldn’t be a religion, just some dude in power who we could moan about every time somebody died senselessly.

I have heard the question; ‘If you have no faith, how can you have any morals?’ Well it’s simple. I set my own morals. Obviously I am influenced by my family, my friends, and by society as a whole…and as an extension by religion. Number one rule in my life is Be Good. From there everything pretty much looks after itself.

So back to Trevor’s original question. Why does Jesus not have what it takes to be important in my life? Well the truth is he is important in my life, and in the lives of most citizens of European, North American and South American countries, the majority of which have some denomination of Christianity as their “official” religion. We all live our daily lives influenced by him, either directly or indirectly. To me personally, all the evidence points to his existence, and that he was a great spiritual person, not only to the Christians, but to the Muslims and Jews. I don’t believe he was the son of God, but he was a great man.

I don’t mean to in any way diminish his impact, there is probably no other man who has lived that has made a greater impact on our planet. It’s just that there are many others who’s advice and leadership we should also respect to an equal level. All of this advice, leadership and influence should always be questioned though.

I have a lot of respect for Trevor for posting his question. Some people are dogmatic in their faith, and unwilling to hear-out, let alone respect what others believe. By asking questions about others faiths or belief systems, Trevor is re-affirming and strengthening his own beliefs. In my (extremely humble) opinion, an inability to question your own faith results in a very weak faith. In asking the question, Trevor has also asked me to look inward at my belief system. It’s a refreshing experience for which I’m very grateful.

[Photo: The Heart of Jesus Christ by Thomas Hawk]