One of the things you notice when you leave faith is how much similarity there is between the varied religious voices. Although I considered my religious flavor unique when I was embedded; looking at it in the rear-view mirror reveals it to be merely one shade of color in the cacophony.
So when I saw this posted on Facebook this morning by a member of my old tribe, I had to chuckle. One of the rallying points of my previous religion was that we weren't religious! No, no, no.... we had a relationship! Such a statement seems silly now that I am out, but it made great sense at the time.
As I look at this chart now, I see the same foundation to both lists. The difference rests merely in how it is spun, but at the end you find yourself in essentially the same location.
It reminds me of an exchange in the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy. Ford Prefect has crash landed on prehistoric Earth with a bunch of Management Middlemen who insist on acting as if the marooned reality of their situation can be changed simply by addressing it differently.
FORD:
Look! C’mon please! I mean everybody! there is some important news: we’ve made a discovery.
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT:
Is it on the agenda?
FORD:
Oh don’t give me that!
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT:
Well I’m sorry, but speaking as a fully trained management consultant I must insist on the importance of observing the committee structure.
FORD:
On a prehistoric planet!?
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT:
Address the chair.
FORD:
There isn't a chair! There’s only a rock!
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT:
Well, call it a chair.
FORD:
Why not call it a rock?
I love it when people tell me I am still a Christian. :) if I still am, it is a great deal. Eternal life, no church, and football on Sundays. :)
ReplyDeleteBingo! Some time back I was talking with a stereotypical, right-wing, vocal, evangelical pastor who worked with a very controlling political faction of the denomination. He described himself as "spiritual, but not religious." I couldn't figure out how to respond to that.
ReplyDelete