When the actor famous for portraying Harry Potter says he has a “problem with religion,” I just nod my head in silent agreement.
I’ll bet when you think about religion, the most you can come up with is judgmental, stone-hearted people telling others they’re going to hell, correct? Well, I’m right there with you.
So let’s talk about something that I regard as quite different: faith/spirituality. I can tell you that as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God), I DO NOT have all the answers and I don’t know of a single honest Jesus follower who thinks any different.
That said, Jesus followers DO have answers to many of life’s most pressing questions, like why are we here (to have a relationship with our creator and tell others about Him), and is there life beyond death (yes!). But many, many others remain unanswered. And that’s OK because God is God and we are NOT.
Are humans complex? Heck YES. Just consider all the denominations in the Christian faith: Roman Catholic, Baptist, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Alliance, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran and many more. Regardless of what they think of each other, that certainly proves that Jesus followers are an example of the complexity Daniel Radcliffe mentions.
When Radcliffe, an atheist, says we humans often change our minds on issues, I agree. And that’s a GREAT reason, in my opinion, to follow Jesus of Nazareth.
Without an unchanging moral centre upon which to base your life, consider these questions:
- How do you know if your opinion on any issue is right?
- How do you know that you won’t change your mind on something important, then embarrassingly wonder how you ever believed the opposite viewpoint?
- How do you know if your actions are really, REALLY correct? If it’s just your opinion, then it’s based on nothing but your subjective worldview.
I’m not wise enough, virtuous enough or mature enough to have a worldview that’s solid enough to base my life upon. Let me be bold and declare I think the same way about Radcliffe’s worldview. And YOURS.
By following Jesus of Nazareth, I know there’s lots of room for complexity (unlike religion) while still sticking to the objective truth of doing the good things for other people that you would want them to do for you (the “Golden Rule”). The truth of setting aside my selfish, self-centred ego and trusting something (Someone!) bigger and better than me. The truth of accepting Jesus’s radical statement – made to anyone willing to listen – that “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
If you give any credibility to Jesus and His statements, what are you going to do about the previous paragraph? Our culture insists you should ignore it and go shopping, but I bet that if you’ve read this far, you’re ready and willing to resist that siren call.
I suggest looking reading the four original accounts of Jesus’s life, ministry, death and resurrection (the “Gospels”). Take your questions to a Jesus follower (my email: fdking@hotmail.com) and keep your mind open. It could change your life for the better!
So, are there “religious” people out there who cast their anger and judgement on those who don’t believe in their “religion”? Absolutely.
Frank's Cottage 