We do not believe that religious beliefs should ever be the cause of strife between people. We would never attempt to use our religious beliefs as a basis for persecuting those who do not share them, demanding that laws be passed, or demanding that any church doctrine be legislated as the law of any land solely because it is church doctrine. We believe that religions should be focused less on enforcing their beliefs on the whole of civilization, and more on sharing their beliefs and accepting the knowledge that those beliefs may not be shared by everyone.
The sad thing is that the above paragraph should even be thought necessary. These sentiments should be considered de riguer, the minimum expectation of anyone professing to follow any faith tradition. That it even needs to be stated is a sad commentary on how humankind has lost sight of what religion should be about. Instead, religion is far too often used a club with which to bludgeon those not “enlightened” enough to share those beliefs. It’s used to divide instead of unite, to hurt instead of heal. I refer specifically to Christianity, Islam, and- to a lesser degree- Judaism. The essence of the “Big Three”, if you will, and most any other faith tradition is that there’s nothing funny about peace, love, and understanding (apologies to Elvis Costello). In fact, it’s really ALL about peace, love, and understanding- something sorely lacking these days.
I have to think that if Jesus Christ or Muhammad were to walk the Earth these days, they’d be appalled at what they’d being done in their names- things that have nothing to do with their teachings or with love and tolerance. How can anyone with a conscience (and a functional sense of the ironic) claim that the religious strife extant today is part and parcel of the belief systems in question. I’ve live and worked in countries where people killed one another primarily because of “conflicting” faith traditions. My experience in this regard has primarily been with Christians, but Muslims can be (and very often are) every bit as lethally intolerant. Judaism may be a distant third in this race, but they’re by no means out of contention.
I happen not to believe in God, but I respect the rights of others to their beliefs…just as long as they don’t attempt to use those beliefs to bludgeon me, figuratively speaking. I recognize and respect that religious faith, when interpreted and employed as originally intended, can be a powerful and positive force for good. That’s why I was so excited when I found this at one of my favorite blogs, Funny Farm Online. The Church of the Afternoon Nap is just the sort of faith tradition I can wholeheartedly endorse, based as it is on three core beliefs:
The Church Of The Afternoon Nap believes that an afternoon nap is a positive, beneficial activity that should be encouraged and enabled for our fellow beings….
The Church Of The Afternoon Nap believes that religion has been taken much too seriously by the human race. Currently, and for thousands of years, there have been religions, and religious people, who have strenuously and seriously advocated, based upon their religious beliefs, that those members of society that do not share their religious beliefs should be eradicated from the face of the earth. Many religions, over thousands of years, have tried to instill their unproven, and unprovable, beliefs into society as though they were based on a bedrock of fact. Organized religion has been the largest cause of human misery during the course of human civilization….
The Church Of The Afternoon Nap believes that religions and religious activities should not be given privileges and additional rights, and that religions should be required to obey all of the laws of the lands where they wish to establish themselves. No religion should enjoy tax free status, and all religions should consider it a sacred duty to contribute their fair share to society, instead of expecting society to support them, give them special privileges, and let them ignore the laws of the land with impunity.
We believe that religions should be equal, not privileged, members of society. Religions should never be allowed to shield their employees from any illegal activities they engaged in while acting as representatives of their religion.
It’s so simple; the only thing I fail to understand is why no one received this inspiration previously. In a world riven by frequent, often bloody religious strife (ask me about my time in Croatia), a prophet is sent to us, proclaiming that what the world really needs to bring peace, love, and understanding back to their previous importance is a good afternoon nap.
The premise could hardly be less onerous or more relaxing. Worship hours are between 12noon and 4pm daily; a devotee can worship as much or as little as they choose. What’s importance is not the length of worship, but the commitment to it…and through it the commitment to reducing stress and conflict by whatever degree possible. There’s no need to build massive palaces of worship to prove the size and depth of one’s commitment, no need for crying dais-thumpers with Southern accents invading the airwaves with pleas for money to support their ministries (and lifestyles). All a devotee of the Church of the Afternoon Nap needs is the desire to make the world a better place, a comfortable pillow, and a dark room.
So easy even a caveman can do it, eh??
I think I see some serious and extended devotional time in my future. I’d appreciate if you keep the volume down, ‘kay? I’m going to be trying to make the world a better place.
