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I like the wheelbarrow analogy. When I was a Christian, I would push that wb everywhere I went. I guess I expect the same. from Christians today and am surprised when I see them not acting like Christians or when I hear them cussing or posting memes on FB that are less than Christ-like, IMO. I believe these are the type of Christians that possess the wb because they were raised to believe its a staple, which is nice to have when you need it, but it can get in the way at times.
It was less a wheelbarrow in front of me than a sack of potatoes I was constantly lugging about on my shoulders. Maybe not potatoes either, ultimately, but another spud-shaped and less pleasant smelling substance.
I believe these are the type of Christians that possess the wb because they were raised to believe its a staple, which is nice to have when you need it, but it can get in the way at times.
This reminds me of the successful matketing campaign that was launched because baking soda was considered a staple . . . but seldom used. Most families had it but it was in the pantry somewhere and hardly ever used. The refrigerator deodorizer campaign changed all that. It had people storing an open box in the refrigerator for a month or so and then throwing it down the drains to deodorize them . . . eventually finding myriad other uses . . . like cat litter, toothpaste, etc. It upped sales tremendously. Perhaps we need to find alternate uses for Christianity's focus on belief about Christ once or twice a week . . . into Christ's more versatile instructions to "love God and each other" DAILY in as many ways as possible . . . and repent when we don't.
No it doesn't apply only to Christianity, but I was trying to understand how you or any theist with a high level of scrupulous devotion to their faith deals with the knowledge that most of the rest of the world lacks that level of buy-in and misses the benefits thereof. I personally found it very discouraging, and met many others who were rather smug about it -- in the "they'll get what's coming to them" sense.
It seems also that it's a little worse for Christianity because of its explicit tri-omni god. After 2,000 years the faith has not captured the majority mindshare in the world, which, aside from the implications of whether it is ever going to be widely effective in its evangelical imperative, raises the spectre of how to reconcile a tri-omni god with the fact that most people for all of human history, end up burning in hell.
How much does one have to "buy in" for you to consider them serious? I thought you non-religious folks liked people that kept their religion private.
Regardless, I believe the OP sought to imply religious everywhere regard their religion as a spiritual 911.
More like the -atched variety
hatched christenings/dedications
matched (as many as needed these days)
dispatched funerals
I have been accused here multiple times of never owning a wheelbarrow or inferred that the wheelbarrow I had was not the particular "made in the USA" version or the wheelbarrow salesman was not a real wheelbarrow salesman so I could not have really have been a wheelbarrow pusher ever.
However, my wheelbarrow never had a rusty wheel as it was wheeled out daily plus I did try many different brands of wheelbarrows. Turned out, all of them were only needed b/c I thought it was necessary to own one; others also seemed to be pushing them for no rhyme or reason.
I don't doubt, Jimmie, that you are right. The religion that gives your life meaning is the most important thing in your life and you probably pray all the time, not just when all you have run out of all other options.
But Seeker(SA) is also right, because the wheelbarrow analogy (I'd tend to use a medical analogy - perhaps a dental one - myself. You keep it out out of your mind until you get an ache. If aspirin and a day off work doesn't clear it up, have a chat with the professionals) fits many people. Perhaps the majority. The only reason they support religion is because they have been brainwashed into thinking that it is necessary for society, civilization, patriotism and morality.
These people - maybe the majority - are irreligionists in all but realization. They are not like religious hobbyists, career religionists or cult - religionists or like yourself at a loss for feelings of self worth and meaning in life without religion.
Once those people realize that they have been sold a bill of goods -that they have been fooled into thinking that you cannot have a society unless it is infected with religion like the rivers of Israel because King David dared to number the people - irreligion will have the Numbers.
This reminds me of the successful matketing campaign that was launched because baking soda was considered a staple . . . but seldom used. Most families had it but it was in the pantry somewhere and hardly ever used. The refrigerator deodorizer campaign changed all that. It had people storing an open box in the refrigerator for a month or so and then throwing it down the drains to deodorize them . . . eventually finding myriad other uses . . . like cat litter, toothpaste, etc. It upped sales tremendously. Perhaps we need to find alternate uses for Christianity's focus on belief about Christ once or twice a week . . . into Christ's more versatile instructions to "love God and each other" DAILY in as many ways as possible . . . and repent when we don't.
Good idea, we don't want our wheel barrows to get rusty.
How much does one have to "buy in" for you to consider them serious? I thought you non-religious folks liked people that kept their religion private.
I don't personally give a fig, but I was debating the point with what I perceived as a fundamentalist, and that is the background I came out of. The prevalence of so-called cafeteria Christians don't bode well for the future of Christianity if your mind-set is that such Christians are either not "real" ones or are at best practicing a watered-down version of the Truth.
I don't personally give a fig, but I was debating the point with what I perceived as a fundamentalist, and that is the background I came out of. The prevalence of so-called cafeteria Christians don't bode well for the future of Christianity if your mind-set is that such Christians are either not "real" ones or are at best practicing a watered-down version of the Truth.
I don't know what's in a person's heart. Certainly, some appear to be more serious than others.
However, if a religious person is serious, their religion becomes a part of them, rather that a burden they must bear.
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- irreligion will have the Numbers.
