Why I'm Creating My Own Religion (that NO ONE else can join): PART 1
The part in parentheses is important!
No one can join this thing.
This is an idea that I've been ruminating for many years. It began as a hypothetical joke, but it became more and more real as the years went on. I just never went public with it.
Until now, I've never taken the time to write out my thoughts on the matter. I just have too many ideas, and I don't know how to sort them all out. If I did, it would be take me a long, long time.
But who says I have to do it all in one shot? That's why NotePD is here, isn't it? It's a chance to think out loud. Maybe things we'll come into better focus with time.
In the meantime, I'm hoping it will open up some thought-provoking questions.
So why do I want to create my own religion (that no one else can join)?
1. I planned on being a Catholic priest from ages 12 to 17
For real. I took it so seriously that I didn't date anyone in high school. I figured priests can't marry, so it'd be better if I avoided women altogether.
When I started reading deeply into the intricacies of the Catholic church... well, there are a lot of questionable rules, to say the least. So I went a different route. And I'm glad I did.
But why did I want to be a priest in the first place? Because I was interested in questions that couldn't be answered. I was amazing by what a confusing mystery life is. And, when you're a curious kid in a small town asking about higher forces, they put a Bible in your hand.
Well, I read the Bible. The whole thing. And I'll be honest...
There's a lot of filler.
There's some good stuff in there, and there's some bad stuff too. (God going into the logistics of buying and selling slaves, for example).
The Catholic church didn't have the answers I was looking for, but the sense of wonder, awe, and mystery never left me.
It's something I'd like to explore on my own terms.
2. I despise groupthink
This is about more than religion. I hate groupthink in all its forms.
I don't like -ists or -isms, but I might be called an individualist. When I see organizations and institutions poisoning the minds of individuals, it makes my blood boil.
I want to encourage independent thought. Your beliefs should be based upon the values that ring true within your own heart and soul.
Goofy mental gymnastics be gone!
3. I hate cults
A cult is groupthink on steroids.
I loathe cults that turn human beings into programmable robots. But the definition of a cult is very debatable.
Cults are not just religious. Cults can be political, social, economic, etc. They can even be entertainment-based.
There are so many cults, and they all have their own brand of Kool-Aid.
I don't think I could accidentally create a cult, but it's not worth the risk. I'd hate to Tyler Durden myself.
One man ≠ a cult.
Better safe than sorry.
4. I love discussing philosophy, morality, ethics, and logic
These things usually contain religion, but they don't have to. I could just call myself a philosopher, but I want to do more than THINK about my ideas. I want to EMBODY them.
I also love discussing religion, provided someone isn't trying to goad me into joining theirs (or shame me for not).
What do you believe? Why do you believe it?
I love these questions. And I've yet to be offended by anyone's answer to them.
But if I join a currently established religion, all of a sudden there's an "in" group and and "out" group. Sometimes one of the groups doesn't like you simply because of your label.
If it's my own religion, they still might not like me, but at least it's based upon a label I gave myself.
5. Everyone creates their own religion, whether they realize it or not
You may not be religious, but you have beliefs. You may even call them convictions. And you have a code of conduct and ethics (I hope).
You believe in something greater than yourself; it's just a matter of what that something is.
If it's not a god, it's an idea. Money, family, career, love.
You believe in something. But...
No two people think exactly alike. Even if you're religious, you won't find two Catholics who believe exactly the same thing, two Jews who believe exactly the same thing, or two Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons... you name it.
And that's the way it should be. You're the only you that's ever existed in the history of the universe. No being has had your perspective on life in 13 BILLION years. And I'm the only me.
We should embrace that.
Be unique. Be you. Don't be afraid of what you believe.
But be honest about what you don't.
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