How to Survive Without God
By The Parodist | July 14, 2008
Before you go “Omigod, what blasphemy!” on me, it would be better if you read the entire thing first. That is, if you can get through the first few paragraphs (which I’m wishing you would!) and have the patience to read the rest.
Christianity as a Strict Theology
I’m here to admit that there was a time in my life when I had come to a point when I had thought I can do well with a life without God. I mean, this is me thinking that having God in my life would mean going to church every Sunday, spending time praying everyday, following His commandments, etc (I think you get the picture), which is so inconvenient given the other things I still want to do. Esp if, like me, you’ve come to associate Christianity with a certain strict theology that crossing the line can mean eternal damnation.
Okay. That’s a bit of a stretch since I also have developed a relationship with God like no other. This means He’s a loving, merciful father and a faithful friend. However, my view of Him got so tainted that I’ve found myself lost in translation. I somehow forgot what it was like to have Him in my life. Why it mattered that He be part of it. After all, I am on the road to reaching my dreams anyway. It felt like I had full control over my life. He did give us free will, right? Life is about you living it, yea?
Why I Thought I Don’t Need God
But, back to that point of realisation, the reason why I had thought I didn’t need God was that I thought that happiness can be found in this world. The dreams I have are of this world, part of this world, and lived in this world. I’m the only one who can do something about it. And, by world’s standards, I can have a good life if I have these things:
Great Talent. It can be anything which you can’t help but showcase. It’s one great skill that sets you apart, makes you special. It will result to accummulating a following. A group of people to cheer for you, to clap for you. You have a group of people who will give you a feeling of security.
Good Looks. A lot of people base worth on how a person looks. Applying a point system to determine one’s worth regardless of who he or she is. If you are able to establish that you are what the society can call beautiful then you’ve somehow got it made.
Wealth. Money means access. Earn that six digit salary. Have that high spending power. Stock up on all things, luxurious or not. If you’ve got this part covered, you can easily buy everything you think you’d ever want or need.
Intelligence. Another form of measurement in the game of comparison. You are confident in your own capacity to understand everything around you. For you, a superior mind will always mean you’re better. Knowing more about something means people must listen to you, must follow what you say. It gives you this security that others are inferior to you and will look up to you.
Rightness. Putting too much stock on determining who is right. Thinking that it doesn’t really matter if any given view can be as much right as the other, the main point is winning an argument to establish that you are right. Your source of comfort is that you know that whatever it is that you are doing, it’s right.
When you have one or all of these things — you consider them vital to your dreams — then the rest of the world will love you and you will not need God to get through life. You can actually believe that you can survive without Him.
But don’t you get this feeling that all these things are not as important as they seem to be?
Now Here Lies the Conflict
All this time, what I thought was important isn’t. I’ve simply allowed my value and identity to be defined by the world. I find it taxing to be constantly needing and wanting for the rest of the world to validate my existence. I find it exhausting to find myself in a perennial cycle of comparisons and measurements just to establish my worth. I’m tired of always thinking myself less than who I am just because the rest of the world said so.
People will continually disappoint. You will lose your job or fear your tenure. You will strive to kiss bums please people so you can have access to what you know or think will bring you the recognition you desire or deserve. You will always fear that one day all that you have now will not be there. So, where will that leave you? What will you do if you’ve lost all the things you’ve considered valuable? Can you still say that you are happy with your life? With yourself? Can you continue living your life burdened with such insecurities?
I believe that most, if not all, have this desire to have people like them. To agree with them. To recognize them. To admire them. To love them. Isn’t this why we do the things we do? Seems like it’s a vicious cycle with no hope of getting out, huh?
Why I CANNOT Survive Without God
Now, this is what I have realised. What God offers is a love that brings peace which transcends all understanding. He offers to give us a hand, to help carry us through the rough patches. If we believe that God is the source of our glory, and that, ultimately, it is His approval we are seeking, then we can be certain of a lighter load. We will find joy. He loves you warts and all, you see. He has a whole lot of good things in store for you. With Him, you can bet on a good life, complete with all the things your heart desires. Why? Because what father wouldn’t give anything for his child?
This doesn’t mean going back to the strict theology that Christianity is known for, it’s simply having a relationship with Him, making room for Him in your life. Just believe that He is who He says He is.
Knowing what I now know, having experienced what I have experienced, and realising how tough life can be if lived by my own strength — how can I possibly even consider that I can survive a life without God? More importantly, how can you?
The Space in Between Us, Building 429: Topics: Philosophy & Paradox |
July 14th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
What a beautiful post! I’m so blessed that I took time to stop and read it this morning. You are so right…how could I ever possibly think that my life has meaning without my Saviour? Be blessed!
Hope Wilbankss last blog post..Book Review: Just Who Will You Be?
July 14th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Thanks, Hope! I appreciate you for dropping by.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Hmm, you say that you don’t have to go back to the strict philosphy of Christianity (ie gay bashing, self righteous, and all that other annoying crap that made many of us atheists in the first place), yet, I don’t know very many God lovers that get along without that community. They seem to need a community to go to, especially in this day and age when they’re no longer that majority. But, as soon as they join up in seeking that community, their (often pliable) minds are filled with the dogma of whatever community they join.
So, do you have a community? If not, how do you get along without one. If you do, let me guess “it’s different” or “we’re not like that!”
July 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hey *blushing* Why? May utang pa kong dinner sa yo and I am so sorry for not being able to keep my promise. If you want, we can go on a date, hehehe!
Good to see you again here and posting positively,
Hope to have our dinner soon!
~mEldita~
my untamed world
my uncensored life
i.MEL.dific
meme me
mElditas last blog post..Shhh…
July 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Anna: Get to know Him, He’ll help you understand. He loves you.
Mel: No worries. I’m just here. Just call me when you’re up for dinner or whatever.