Not Going Back

When I hear Conservatives say they want to take this country back, I always wonder, "To what?" I gather that one answer is, "To old time religion." I see that idea in the Pope's decision promote "a renewed evangelism" in countries that have seen a "progressive secularisation of society." I hear it in Tony Blair's recent declaration that the best way to confront the “secularist agenda” was for all faiths to unite against it. And it was rather obvious at Glenn Beck’s “I Have a Messianic Dream” rally, where he reportedly focused on America's need to "turn to God."

Why do they feel it is necessary to turn back? Because religious authorities see that fewer and fewer people feel the need to heed them. Aside from the loss of influence and income, this is a loss of validation in the community. Instead of being obeyed by all, they are challenged, and their authority is questioned. Thus, the Secularists must be defeated, so the people can again be ruled by Religious Authorities! Otherwise there will be immorality, God will be displeased and bad things will happen!

But what is supposed to attract people back to dogmatic, doctrinaire, and uncritical religious belief? Threats? Threats only make the religious authorities less attractive. The Inquisition failed. What about the benefits they have always offered – exclusivity of salvation? Well, that market is saturated. It’s a buffet, really. What about the social bonding? That’s been broken by years of hypocrisy, corruption and discord.

I was raised in a Christian household. I was told the mandatory religious beliefs in “Sunday School.” On my own I read the New Testament. I even considered becoming a member of the clergy. But then I saw that the church did not practice what their Founder preached. The church had so many treasures here that the doors had to be locked. They could praise the Prince of Peace even as they supported wars. They were incapable of loving neighbors who were not of their race. It took no university to lead me away, Mr. Beck. It began with hypocrites like you. It was completed by contemplation on the theology of the Abrahamic faiths, which I eventually found I could not accept. There is nothing that will persuade me to go back.

The ethos of democracy is at work in the world. Its ideals of freedom and equality undermine authoritarian religious institutions, just as they undermine authoritarian political institutions. There will always be some people who fear freedom and resent equality. But a growing number around the globe are casting off the chains of their authoritarian lords, unafraid of their own intellect and ready to test new paths through life.