Questioning and defending religion is necessary

Mike Lopez Man at Large

Once found, those truths are their guide. When was the last time that you followed your religious or philosophical beliefs to the point that you began to openly move against good ol' Americanism? It seems to me that this whole religion topic has turned into taboo. Whenever the topic of religion comes up in the media or public, it is all anyone can do to keep from stepping on a toe or two. You know what I say? I say go ahead and kick my shins with steel toed boots. Hit me with everything you've got.

People these days have a "don't impose your beliefs on me" attitude. I'm not arguing about abortion or anything like that. Maybe that's where it started, but now the mindset has been drawn out to everyday speech.

We are taught that we must tolerate everyone else's religious or philosophical position so much so that we cannot say anything that might offend anyone else's beliefs. How weak must your beliefs be to be affected by a mere human's nasty comments?

One year ago, I had the good fortune to enter into a conversation about religion with two intelligent graduate students. I shared my theistic beliefs, which were dismissed summarily by my atheist roommate. The interesting part was that before I could get a word in edgewise, the third person in our conversation got on the atheist's case.

She told him that he couldn't say such things about my religion because it was disrespectful of my beliefs. "You've got to respect his beliefs." Maybe she thought she was coming to my defense, but I only saw her argument as a conversation killer. He doesn't have to respect my beliefs. He can say whatever he wants. If you hold a belief as absolutely true, then how can a person's comment change your belief? Let's say that God is as real as my father.

A statement denying the existence of God is similar to a statement denying the existence of my father. What do you say to a person who says that your father has never existed? Are your feelings hurt? Are you offended? I don't think so. If you are, then maybe it is not their problem for offending you, but yours for being offended.

The growing taboo against talking about matters of ultimate concern will only lead to a stale spiritual growth. If you do not talk about your beliefs, then you will not question them. As a result, you will have no chance to grow stronger in your beliefs or to find beliefs that more fully represent the truth. Let us say that you enter into a conversation with someone who has a good point and actually converts you to his or her belief. If you now see how they are right, have you lost anything? No, you've gained. That is why I ask you to lay it on me. Try to convince me.

Try to make me believe in your way. I'll try to make you see my side of it and after the conversation, I can guarantee that both of us will be better people because of it. Addressing core concerns in this manner will certainly help you grow in your spiritual development. How can it not?

Whether or not you decide to be atheist, deist, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, wiccan, or whatever, any and all questioning you engage in concerning such beliefs can only be good for all parties involved. So, stop the religious silence. Defend your belief. Humbly share your religious persuasion. You don't have to become a proselytizer. Just stick up for what is supposed to matter most.

Next week: Episode III.

- Mike Lopez can be reached via

e-mail at manatlarge@umich.edu.

09-15-99