Do people only turn to religion when they are desperate?
I spent most of today at the Phuket Christian Centre chatting with people about the center celebrating its 17th year on the island. I was skeptical about attending the service but wanted to get a full idea of exactly what they do. I was impressed with the amount they contribute to the island, which largely goes unnoticed in the public eye. While nobody could argue against such charitable acts as helping with the tsunami aftermath or establishing schools, what troubled me about the service was that many of the followers only turned to the church when they were at their lowest points.
There were four people who gave testimonies about how God had come into their lives and changed them for the better. Each of these people had experienced a revelation during tough times. Had each person’s life been more acceptable to that person then they may not have turned to God at all.
I asked one of the girl’s there if this troubled her and she told me that it is true that some people only turn to Christianity (and religion as a whole) when they need it. Her opinion was that this is not a bad thing because it is during these low periods when people start to think about their spirits, which in turn leads them to God. There is logic in this, but then by the same logic it means that the religion that each person turns to is the one that is most accessible, which has a lot to do with where a person is at the time, his or her upbringing, family, and so on.
This says to me that no religion is “right” and many people’s faiths are a result of chance. The guys at the Phuket Christian Centre are a good bunch, and they were bemused when I told them that I had never been to a church service. I believe that something can be learnt from all religions because as a race, different groups of people can contribute different things to our understanding of who we are. To pigeonhole yourself to one of these groups because of circumstance neglects everything the rest of the world can teach you.
I know that when I am most needy I sometimes wonder if there is a God and if He will help me, but I am unable to say whose God He really is. For want of a better way of summing up, the God I turn to is my God, and mine alone. But where does that leave the rest of the world?
August 5th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
No, becasue some people are not strong enough to live their lives by themselves without having a crutch (to lean on).
August 5th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Yes and no, depending on how you define desperation. Throughout history, from recent news stories to ancient ones in the Bible, people have a tendency to realize their need for God most when they are in trouble. That said, some people realize their need for the God of Truth
I wouldn’t equate God and religion…look to religion and it will fail you. Many Christians (including me) will tell you that religion is nothing to get excited about, but a relationship with the God of Truth is. So there’s a difference between religion and God. As for God, here are two approaches I would use to define two very different meanings of the word “god” or “God.” I make the distinction with capitalization. I usually phrase sentences so that “god” never comes at the beginning of a written sentence.
1) Whatever or whoever consumes my thoughts, time, and resources, owns as much of me as is consumed and is my god. If I didn’t make a distinction between “God” and “gods,” this analysis would prove me to be a polytheist. Cars, bikes, people, pets, cameras, computers, hobbies, objects and actions are all possibilities. As my life changes, my gods change. I would like to think that I had none.
2) The God that interrupted my thoughts of being religious with my hobbies, silenced me, and communicated, “No. If you want to follow Me, you have to follow Me My way,” He is the only one I will ever recognize as God. His presence demanded my total submission and allegiance, and I gave it in awe. Should I deny that He exists, He would remain to be God nonetheless.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:27 am
Choices always were a problem for you.
What you need is someone strong to guide you.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow,
What you need is someone strong to use you..
Like me,
Like me.
If you want to get your soul to heaven,
Trust in me .
Dont judge or question.
You are broken now ,
But faith can heal you.
Just do everything I tell you to do.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow.
Let me lay my holy hand upon you.
My gods will
Becomes me.
When he speaks out,
He speaks through me.
He has needs
Like I do.
We both want
To rape you.
Jesus christ, why dont you come save my life.
Open my eyes and blind me with your light
And your lies.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:54 am
When I go to mass, I’m only interested in the hymms and the whole ritualistic aspect of it.. the incense the candles the bread.. it’s beautiful. but what lies beneath all that I’m not so sure.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:56 am
Why do you go?
August 6th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Hey Matt, you’re trying to answer a question that has plagued mankind since the dawn of time with one blog :-) So I shall try to do the same with one comment.
Luckily, I’ve just finished reading “The God Delusion” by our fellow Englishman Richard Dawkins. I highly recommend it. I can’t sum up the work of an Oxford professor here but he touched on a point that I - as a social science teacher - have pondered a lot: there seems to be a (oxymoronically) Darwinian instinct that drives us to search for religion. An inner need to understand and find a reason why we are here, if you like.
I’d answer ‘no’ to your opening question because you used the word ‘only’. I think that SOME people seek god when desperate, but others are born into a religious family and know no better, others simply seek for meaning in life and find god. That doesn’t make god real, of course.
Now how are you going to make an even bigger question for your next blog, eh? You never took up my challenge to you on my blog, btw. :-)
August 6th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I am a convert from a Sikh to a Christian. Did desperation change me? Not at all. It was the truth that made me become a Christian. And then things like peace, happiness, positive atitude etc.. followed.
“I would rather live my life as if there was God and die to find out there was no God.
rather than living my life as if there was no God and die to find out there was God”
Cheers.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I could write a book on this one.
I’ll just limit it to believing that everyone has to find their own truth.
Peace,
~Chani
August 6th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Sooooo true Chani!!!
Religion has a tendency to get in the way of Spirituality…
It’s not that we have to learn anything, as a matter of fact we need to un-learn… and it’s very simple, just: Be nice! Be kind!
The more good and kind you are, the more you lead others into a better life.
August 10th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I am 96.3% sure that there is no god.
I think a lot of people want to believe in a ‘force for good’ in the world and think this needs a supernatural god.
If you believe that humans have evolved a psyche that includes a tendency to be social and a conscience that is instinctively concerned to some degree with the welfare of others that you don’t need god to find your moral bearings.
Others believe in god and the afterlife because they fear the idea that they will no longer exist when they die. But it’s not any worse than the fact that you did not exist before you were born - except that you get to contemplate it!
I guess when you enjoy life death is a bummer - but that’s life I suppose
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
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