The reason why i've associated this entry with religion is that I had a very interesting and empowering conversation with a few friends last night about their views of religion and Christianity. As a non-believer, it was interesting to start with a debate about evolution and creationism (yes, we're a very cool bunch) and we moved onto religious identify. Obviously, on a day to day basis we don't tend to think about where this comes from or question our religious beliefs especially if you are not brought out as a believer. What was interesting about this conversation was the amount of acceptance and understanding in the different points of view that made it work... it was as if we agreed to disagree.
To this day, I have been a huge skeptic of religion. I find it difficult to understand how there can be so many religions in the world, and many wars have been waged based on these differences. It's hard to believe that something which should appear pure and true could turn into situations so unfortunate, so inhumane. But at the core of Christianity or any religion is salvation and the hope that things can be better and that we are placed on this planet for something more. Granted, this definition of "more" depends on situation, environment and values. So if you strip down each person to their core without all the chaos surrounding them, who are they, and what is their point of being here? It was a deep conversation and I came out with more questions than answers. At my core, I know that it's about relationships and making this world better while having the time here without sacrificing myself.
I was reading my friend's blog about her journey to Bangladesh to volunteer for micro finance and her views are extraordinary. To give someone a hand-up instead of a hand-out so that they can have the opportunity to sustain themselves... WOW. I don't think she could have said it in a better way and it's so simple. In N. America we are given so many chances that we sometimes fail to see what life would be if we started out in the worst conditions possible. However, survival still exists, and what could seem like miracles do arise. Is it a case of miracles? or a case of opportunity or luck?
Talking to my friend yesterday, my rational side took over and it was hard to believe that "miracles" do exist b/c so much of what I have achieved is a matter of my own control. But was it my control, and did I really make things happen? What about my background, history, and events leading up to a university education. It's not dumb luck that this happens, it's a lot of work, but if I were not given the opportunity to study in Canada, would the same thing have happened? Even having the time to think about this is a luxury that started from an opportunity. So it's not really a free meal, and life is certainly far from this.
We also talked about the concept and purpose of having a "God". If He really did create the earth to tear it apart, or are these lessons that He wants us to work through and teach us about? Because without problems, there is no opportunity to form and build relationships. There is no opportunity for understanding and gaining perspective. When I think back to the things I have learned over the past few months, it all goes back to relationships. There is the saying of 8 degrees of separation where each person in the world is connected to some other random person in the world by 8 levels. Even our bodies (especially our brains) are relational. How can you explain something as perfect and extraordinary as this? If the probabilities are against us, how do you explain all these events from happening?
Luckily this is only the start, and there is time to figure out SOME of it out.
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