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Anyone that owns a house or at least stays in one, probably owns a wheelbarrow.
It is useful to some extent but usually this is how we often see it
Propped up against a wall and left there until it is needed.
B/c you own one, does that make you a wheelbarrow pusher? Not really, it is a function we adapt to when needed.
Religion is much like a wheelbarrow, using the ad populum fallacy argument, everyone (meaning most people) owns one (or more) would be used to give credence to a society of wheelbarrow pushers. It really does not work now does it?
If you peruse this link, you will see multiple versions of the barrow and just like the many denominations or sects, religion is pretty much the same. Hell there are some really cool designs. You have one wheelers, two wheelers, three wheelers and even motorised barrows. This simple device is a living tribute to the discovery of the wheel where the one of the first ideas was to haul crap from one place to another. Barrows are used mostly for moving rubbish unless in the building trade where it is used to cart concrete around a site.
The analogies here are endless, but I think you get the gist. Most folk who own one usually do not give it much thought.
My relationship with Christ is my life. It's not a case of, "In an emergency, break this glass".
Not many push their "wheelbarrows" around all the time.
Despite your claim, I still suspect you park it like everyone else, in day to day matters unless you are one of those PTL every second word, the religion is a crutch. Some folk like their barrows more than others.
Sure we discuss it here, but I mean I suspect no one really delves into anything in real conversations and interactions. I am sure even in fundieland, folk like that would be avoided like the plague.
Not many push their "wheelbarrows" around all the time.
Despite your claim, I still suspect you park it like everyone else, in day to day matters unless you are one of those PTL every second word, the religion is a crutch. Some folk like their barrows more than others.
Sure we discuss it here, but I mean I suspect no one really delves into anything in real conversations and interactions. I am sure even in fundieland, folk like that would be avoided like the plague.
Well, I don't take my spouse with me everywhere either. Nevertheless, she is my partner in life, always a part of everything I do, whether physically present or not. My relationship with Christ is much the same; in some ways more intense.
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.
Well, I don't take my spouse with me everywhere either. Nevertheless, she is my partner in life, always a part of everything I do, whether physically present or not. My relationship with Christ is much the same; in some ways more intense.
I very much understand where you are coming from and would have made similar (sincere) claims at one time. But I'm sure you're aware (and maybe this is even part of the appeal to you) that (charitably) 90% of Christians do not take their religion that seriously, care that much, nor try that hard.
Given that roughly two thirds of the planet is not even Christian, if even 10% of Christians are as dedicated as you then that means about 3% of the world population has a reasonably vital connection with god. And again, I strongly suspect that is a high estimate.
What can we say about a system which, even ignoring all the humans who have ever lived in the past, only a tiny elite have a vital connection to god and probably not that many more will even escape the eternal roasting in the pit of hell? I suspect you are even taught that god only preserves a "remnant" in each age for himself. Does this not give the lie to a god who loves us and is "not willing that any should perish"?
But regardless of that (I don't want to get off-topic) it seems to me that SeekerSA's point remains. Most theists hold their beliefs relatively loosely and most of their dedication is pretense and posturing. Just like debating whether a Ford or a Chevy is better, most people don't TRULY care that much about it, they just like to feel right.
I very much understand where you are coming from and would have made similar (sincere) claims at one time. But I'm sure you're aware (and maybe this is even part of the appeal to you) that (charitably) 90% of Christians do not take their religion that seriously, care that much, nor try that hard.
Given that roughly two thirds of the planet is not even Christian, if even 10% of Christians are as dedicated as you then that means about 3% of the world population has a reasonably vital connection with god. And again, I strongly suspect that is a high estimate.
What can we say about a system which, even ignoring all the humans who have ever lived in the past, only a tiny elite have a vital connection to god and probably not that many more will even escape the eternal roasting in the pit of hell? I suspect you are even taught that god only preserves a "remnant" in each age for himself. Does this not give the lie to a god who loves us and is "not willing that any should perish"?
But regardless of that (I don't want to get off-topic) it seems to me that SeekerSA's point remains. Most theists hold their beliefs relatively loosely and most of their dedication is pretense and posturing. Just like debating whether a Ford or a Chevy is better, most people don't TRULY care that much about it, they just like to feel right.
Does that apply to Christianity only? People claim lots of things, but may not give it their full devotion.
Regardless, I believe the OP sought to imply religious everywhere regard their religion as a spiritual 911.
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.
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
I know the focus is on the wheelbarrow. But a wheelbarrow is a means of 'conveyance' too. It holds the products for sustenance of say a lawn or a garden. Arguably holding life-giving nutrients. All in all it's kind of reminder that one has to 'work' and give effort to help things grow whethere it be in your physical, social as well as one's spiritual life if that's a concern.
Does that apply to Christianity only? People claim lots of things, but may not give it their full devotion.
Regardless, I believe the OP sought to imply religious everywhere regard their religion as a spiritual 911.
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.
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- irreligion will have the Numbers.
