Lose yourself...
(anyone else have Eminem playing in their head now?)
One of the most impenetrable barriers between the "religious" and the "humanist" is the idea of individual freedom. There is an obvious (and legitimate) area of disagreement concerning how we should orient our lives, i.e., do we live for ourselves or live for others?
While I do not pretend to speak for all religious persons or all humanists, let me present two stereotypical examples...
...The religious person may subject themselves to strict discipline, depriving themselves of carnal desires and following specific guidelines. Often they will do things with little to no consideration for their own personal wants or desires, feeling said things are selfish and contrary to the way life is supposed to be lived. The world would be a better place if such a standard of self-less living were adopted by all.
...The humanist may feel that guidelines are restrictive and hinder true human growth. For the humanist, life is an adventure. While ethics and morality are fine and good, the self is at center. Taking care of one's self is precisely how he/she believes the world will truly become a better place.
Obviously, these are just examples and not indicative of the vast array of worldviews in-between and to even greater extremes, but I believe it is a good starting point for reflection.
Have you ever been completely frustrated that someone was trying to control the way you live your life? Have you ever felt people were too selfish in the world? Have you ever asked yourself "When is it my turn to be happy?" Have you ever felt horribly guilty for doing something good for yourself? Have you ever thought the world would be much better if everyone saw things your way?
Of course you have. You're human.
We ask ourselves these questions because we all struggle with the two sides. Should we be selfish? Should we be selfless? It would appear they both have a time and a place.
First, I think we need to debunk a myth... the myth that total and unrestricted freedom to do and have what we want will make us happy.
It won't. Not by a long shot. Think about it...
Right now, at this point in my life, I'd be very happy eating whatever I wanted, sleeping as long as I wanted, etc, etc, etc. My "wants" are kinda set up to kill me.
This is where we have to admit something that we may not want to admit. Discipline is a good thing. If we discipline our minds and our bodies, then we can truly have freedom over those "wants".
You see... the human will is an endless abyss of nothing. It wants and wants and wants, never ever being satisfied. That is not freedom. That is a downward spiral into non-existence.
Do not loathe the religious for its disciple.
However, do not despise the humanist for its focus on the self. We must all strive to become fully human, fully in-tune with who we are. To pour all of who we are into a trade, or a relationship, or pure routine is to have nothing left to work with. You will truly lose yourself.
Don't lose yourself.
From an #occupyjesus perspective, we can follow the metaphor of Jesus, the one who gave everything yet lacked nothing.
Peace.
