Comments on: Being Religious is Like Eating Sand

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:45:08 +0000

Brendan – What about the teaching of children that they are incomplete without Christ? That they are born imperfect and lacking unless they accept Christ in their life? And even if they do, they are still horrible sinners that need Christ’s redemption from the state they’re in.

I don’t think that telling children that they are incomplete unless they subscribe to one particular belief is a beneficial thing; I think it’s a terrible thing to do to a young mind. You asked for one thing; I believe that I could come up with many more – I guess it would depend on the religion.

By: Two Long Years and a Carnival of Sorts – State of Protest

Two Long Years and a Carnival of Sorts – State of Protest — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:23:12 +0000

[...] substance in order to keep themselves artificially satiated, but perpetually malnourished. Thus, Being Religious is Like Eating Sand, written in December, 2008. It fills you up, tricks you into not being hungry, but has no [...]

By: Procrustes

Procrustes — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:17:31 +0000

As in, partially nutritious sand?

Seriously, feel free to elaborate. What’s the gray spectrum?

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:55:56 +0000

Nothing in this world is all black or all white, but, unfortunately with this article, you forget the gray spectrum.

By: Procrustes

Procrustes — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:23:27 +0000

Thank you for your great comment, Olivia. I’m very glad that you’re weaning yourself off the sand and are living a better life for it. I wish you the best of life.

By: Olivia

Olivia — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:44:36 +0000

Throughout my childhood, all the way through college, I was a Christian. I knew the Bible and I could debate with anybody using apologetics. I read religious texts regularly and spent most of my time with other Christians. I never liked soapboxing or proselytizing, but I would talk to others about my point of view. I never liked “religion” because religion causes strife, but I did have my beliefs about life, the universe, and everything. After college, I continued to go to church but never felt right because the people I went to church with always seemed to be the bottom of the barrel in intellect and being “genuine.” I ended up going through a messy divorce with my husband because he was the worst example of a husband, even though he was supposed to be living by the Christian model. I read books that promised “if I just prayed for him fervently” that he would be the husband he was supposed to be. So, in other words, making a direct appeal to him wasn’t going to do any good (and it didn’t) but if I appealed to God, he would work on my husband’s heart and make him the “man God wanted him to be.” Well, that clearly didn’t work. I started really examining why I believed what I believed and it all started to crumble. Many things just didn’t make sense. Why is it ok for me to walk around with short hair and an uncovered head when the Bible specifically says it’s shameful, but it’s not ok for my gay brother to be who he is because the Bible says it’s wrong? So, religious leaders can change the rules, but only on what they are willing to change the rules about? Doesn’t that make the religious leaders into God, rather than God himself? I was always told that sin is sin, and it’s all the same in God’s eyes. Well, to me, a man having lustful thoughts is nowhere near as wrong as a man who rapes, and if it’s the same in God’s eyes, than what I am doing trusting this God with my well-being? That argument may not be logical, but it’s how it makes me feel.

I am currently cutting “sand” out of my diet, and like the author said, it’s extremely difficult, just like any diet. I know that I’m happier not seeking out answers from a God that doesn’t answer. I’m happier with my new, agnostic husband, who takes care of me and reminds me not to stress out so much about these things. I’m a better person than I was, because I don’t do good out of guilt or obligation but because I know it’s what makes the world a better place in the here and now. I’m not quite ready to call myself an athiest, but I’m also beyond worrying so much about it. I just thought you might like to hear from someone who is going through the process you described. While difficult, I am finding it rewarding.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:34:13 +0000

There’s overwhelming evidence for Hansel and Gretel, too, if you’d just read Grimm’s other fairy tales, that stuff happens all the time.

Also, as far as secular government, you should read this: http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Image:Norway.jpg

By: Heidi

Heidi — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:28:08 +0000

Wow, that was ridiculous. I guess we can’t argue about the existence of leprechauns unless we take them for granted too, then? Or trolls under bridges? Or Peter Pan?

By: Procrustes

Procrustes — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:13:02 +0000

Thank you! That was excellent.

I noticed that there was a link from a Croatian page, and I'm happy to see you all here. I was actually "in" Croatia in 1995, so it's great to see some rational Croatians visiting.

By: biz

biz — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:53:57 +0000

I agree with your comparison of consuming religion to consuming sand. Also, whatever the religion proclaims official does not have anything to do wit reality. Everything stays on rhetoric.