Blog #64--Seeking Religious Tolerance

The stated goal of my book “It’s a Secret, So Pass It On: a Toolbox For Life” is to unite science and religion. I realize that is a nearly impossible task, but my hope for both sides is to find common ground where accurate and repeatable scientific research supports specific religious beliefs and practices, and where religions are willing to modify a few of their beliefs as more is known about how the world works. The endless debates between opposing camps, as well as conflicts between various religions and between scientists with varying agendas, has produced countless battles and much needless loss of life over the millennia.

A common phrase during my lifetime has been, “There are two topics one should never discuss with others: religion and politics.” While I heard it frequently, it wasn’t until I was an adult that I understood it. Growing up, my family took me to protestant churches that encouraged parishioners to think for themselves. We were given much food for thought each church service, but applying it to our lives required individual interpretations at times.

Two ministers especially impressed me. Carroll Flewellen and Jo Riley (I believe I remember their spellings correctly) were loving men who gave of themselves willingly to help others. Literally, they practiced what they preached and set wonderful examples for attendees. They never tried to force themselves or their beliefs onto others or use fear sufficient to create dependent insecurity among their flock.

The beauty of this approach was that, when we discovered the value of their sermons in our daily lives, we gained a trust and appreciation for the men and their efforts on our behalf. We came to church willingly, not because we were afraid of going to hell if we didn’t attend regularly. We wanted to learn more from them. They reminded us that our creator is literally everywhere and not just within the walls of any particular church. Knowing we had the freedom not to attend if we preferred had the opposite effect on many of us. It was our choice to attend, not theirs.

I believe that is what our creator expects from us as well. We were all given the ability to think, so it makes sense that we use that ability to best advantage. Giving up our right to think for ourselves to follow leaders who use fear to create a kind of religious dictatorship with them having power over others sounds more like ego than spirit talking, at least to those whose church experiences were like mine growing up.

I believe the door to eternity is always open to us. It is up to us to go through willingly. No true leader I know would want to force people to follow, preferring they be there of their own volition.

I realize many will react bitterly to these comments. I regret that terribly, but I understand it. They were raised differently than me, and their beliefs and value systems are unique to them and those who are like them. I’m not saying my way is right, and I certainly don’t wish to twist the reader’s arm to gain compliance. But some will literally hate me for not parroting word for word their particular version of life on Earth. And yet, I am inspired to write this in the hope it can be of assistance to those who admit they don’t have all the answers and seek to expand their thinking on a subject of importance to most of the world’s citizens.

In college, I had a friend with whom we had much in common. We played sports together, worked together and had a great relationship. I even helped him write his Master’s thesis. He did all the research and knew the material backwards and forwards. But he couldn’t frame his thoughts logically on paper. When I asked him to say what he meant out loud, he did a great job and made his points clearly. But he thought writing was different than speaking, so I volunteered to type what he said. He passed with flying colors.

Unfortunately, shortly before he earned his degree, a debate over religious beliefs began in the office where we both worked as graduate assistants. I didn’t initiate the discussion, but I had remembered passages in the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible that contradicted one another or didn’t make sense logically, so I asked others what they thought about the apparent discrepancies.

When my friend heard me, he became extremely fearful of me, his eyes looking like animals do when their survival is threatened. Shortly afterward, he told me we could no longer be friends. He said, “I don’t have enough time in the day to pray for you.” He subsequently returned to his Montana home and began his own church.

His beliefs are shared by a number of people, so I will not debate their merits or pass judgment on them. But I’ve had only two friends since who have been as close to me as he once was, and I miss him. Regardless of who is right or wrong, I think it is unfortunate when two people give up their close friendship over belief systems. Tolerance of others was also taught to me growing up, even toward people who react violently to those who disagree with them.

All religions around the world have at least a few common points of reference, and we all have the same creator, regardless of the various names we use for that creative force. I encourage everyone to look for the commonality and not just the differences when deciding which views to embrace. So many wars have been fought over relatively minor differences between religions. Maybe it’s time to reverse the trend and find the good in others regardless of their beliefs.

I sincerely hope my words are seen as an attempt to bridge a huge gap that has served as a barrier to togetherness and mutual understanding. My intentions are honorable, even if my words offend. I simply hope that love can overcome hatred and fear.

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