DIY Religion 101

It's interesting to read about people who have pretty much made up their own personal religion.  When they're interviewed, I often wonder if they've ever actually heard themselves say these things out loud before and noticed the logical disconnects in their own theology:

The sort of eclectic spirituality you're describing is appealing to many people. But do you ever think that by picking and choosing from different religious traditions there might be a temptation to choose -- for lack of a better term -- the "fun" things and avoid the difficult things, like moral codes?

It really depends upon the person and the situation. I take what resonates with me from each religion. It's not necessarily what's fun -- it's more a matter of what works. But you are right that some people might do that, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Anyway, I think moral codes are just religion's excuse to judge other people.

So in your view there is no right and wrong? It's all relative? Murder? Genocide? They might be OK?

You know what? If somebody kidnapped one of my kids and I had to kill that person in order to save my child, you bet your ass I'd do that.

I don't believe in right or wrong. It just is. If it feels like something that I should do, then I'll do it. Or if it feels like something that I shouldn't do, then I won't do it.

People who follow traditional religious paths often enjoy having a sense of certainty about their beliefs. And they have a community of like-minded people to worship with, authorities they can turn to for guidance, that sort of thing. Do you, as the creator of your own spirituality, have that sense of certainty?

Absolutely, because I am the one who is in control. As long as I am the one who is in control and I am responsible for everything that happens in my life, of course there is certainty.

But there are so many things you can't control that might affect you. There are senseless crimes, wars, global warming, to name a few. Doesn't that make you wonder about how much control you really have?

I don't see how any of that is affecting me personally. I go on with my life. If there is something I can do to prevent global warming, I'll do what I can. But my life goes on as normal.

What sources do you turn to when you need comfort, guidance or spiritual inspiration?

I meditate. That's all I need to do.

Okay, let me see if I have this straight:

1. She doesn't follow moral codes because they're just an excuse to judge people, and judging people is wrong.
2. She doesn't believe in right or wrong (except, of course, the whole "judging people" part, because that's wrong, period).
3. But if someone kidnapped her child, that would be wrong, too, so killing them to make it stop would be right.  Not that there's really any "right" or "wrong."  It's just ... well ... it's what she would feel was right.
4. All she's interested in is what happens to her directly.  After all, she's in control, and she has everything she needs inside herself.  She has no connection with the rest of humanity - her actions don't impact anyone else, and theirs don't impact her.  Except for the whole global warming thing.  And only if it occurs to her at the time.

So, is it judgmental to say that someone hasn't thought through things very well?

Comments

[Steven Barrett]

Wow! Did you hit all the right notes about the DIY Religion of our times. I also heard a bit of thunder left over from then-Cardinal Ratzinger's pre-conclave address. The relativists are still stinging. Conservatives thought liberal relativists didn't know what hit them.

As Bill Cosby's Noah would say, "RIGHT!"

I'd rather get into all-out-drag-down-n'-dirty argumentative brawl with a committed liberal atheist (who at least know what he stands for, albeit an empty bag) than a moral relativist. The latter will always leave you feeling like the victim of the Marx Brothers "slow burn." You'll never even feel like you can make a point one way or the other with this crowd, unless you simply pull a "get-in-your-face" stance and leave them scratching their heads while you're heading off.

Tackling any substantive issue with the professional relativists is also akin to watching either Nomar Garciaparra or Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk at the plate on a hot humid New England summer afternoon: slow and excruciating, painful to watch and maintain one's patience as they'd check this, that, step out of the box, cross themselves, fix their helmets, and all this is with no men on base and before they saw their first pitch.

Well, maybe St. Paul meant this, but out of cultural concerns played it safe, after all Bishop Jack Spong said he was a self-hating homosexual. As for Jesus really driving the demons out the guy and turning them into pigs, well, that HAD to be allegorical. Insofar as Jesus' death on the cross, and ressurection, didn't (ex) Catholic priest John Dominic Crossan say the Lord really "swooned" and came to in the tomb? Or something like that?

With these Lords of Uncertainty, Pilate would fit right in, along with Crossan.

What I'm having hard time with your terrific post is the real long period you had to wait for a response. Beent there and experienced that. Keep posting anyway.