During my studies at University one theme is becoming very, very obvious.
Religion is considered to be an indulgence of the uneductated.
At present I'm studying units called Social Sciences in Australia and Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology. In both of these units the concept of religion is discussed a fair bit. In every case it is mentioned as something that is the antithesis of the intellect. If you are an intelligent, educated person there is no room for religion.
This is interesting given that I am a Christian and I am what some would refer to as a Fundamentalist Christian. I dislike this term immensely myself because it conjurs images of people who are almost cult-like in their beliefs, however I use it because it makes sense to a large percentage of the world's population......I guess I'm making an assumption here that there may actually be people reading this who don't know me personally. Who knows, it is afterall the world wide web.
In the subject I'm currently supposed to be writing an essay for (doh! - distracted again) (Cultural Perspectives...) religion is even referred to as a non-cognitive interest. This implies it's an interest the does not make sense in an intellectual sense. Cognition means knowing, perceiving, or conceiving as an act of faculty distinct from emotion and volition. I'll have to ponder this a bit more when I'm not on a deadline with an essay, but I am certain that my faith, and the decisions I make to believe in God as the creator of the universe and mankind is separate from emotion and volition. It is a belief that is based on historical fact.
Anyway, I'll come back to this one day but thought I might just put it 'out there' for now.
3 comments:
There is a great book out (written by my cousin lol) called "God Actually". He comes from a massively rich and highly educated family in NSW and he became a Christian. I believe he is a lawyer and into politics and he has written about why God has to exist using all the philosophical stuff he was brought up with. It is on my to do list to read, but it may help you with your essay, or just talking with Uni friends.
Not sure you would get it at Koorong, it is geared to non christians.
Hmmm what is his name Roy Williams.
thanks Cush
He 'actually' has a webpage! http://www.godactually.com/
jen
Good post! I agree... my "religion" is based on more than just emotion! It's based on real, actual events that occured; it's based on a relationship that is based on more than just wishy-washy stuff; it's based on an intellectual understanding (or attempt thereof!) of the God I love, serve and obey.
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