“moral therapeutic deism.” Coined by NYSR chief investigator Christian Smith, a Notre Dame professor, the term symbolizes the view that “religion is about being nice, feeling good about themselves, and that otherwise God pretty much stays out of the way — unless you need to call upon God to serve your needs,” says Dean.
Interesting-thanks dad-I really agree that a lot of people don't treat religion as it deserves to be treated. I really feel if someone believes in their religion (ie the church they attend or the set of religious beliefs they adhere to) it needs to be encompassing of the whole life. Like anything that is truly of value, it is not a one sided, selfish, "I use it because I benefit from it." We do benefit greatly from many religious practices, but if we are practicing and living our religion solely for social or emotional or any reason, besides true faith that what we are practicing is what God would want us to do, then how is religion different than any other philosophy or way of life?
And if we really believe we are doing what God wants us to do, why would we not teach our children to do the same? How can we claim we want our children to be free to do what they feel is right when they are not taught what is right and what is wrong? Why is it that mainstream society seems to think that almost any behavior if legal or widespread is acceptable even if it is morally wrong? What is so bad about calling some behaviors or actions morally wrong? It seems we are so afraid of making someone feel bad about themselves or making someone feel like they're not accepted that we are afraid to stand up for what is right. I know we don't want to offend others and we are sometimes afraid to say what we believe to be true-but this is just a plea that we will be stronger in our defense of truth and living God's standards rather than conforming to the worlds. When you truly love someone you correct and guide them rather than letting them do anything that pleases them which will cause unhappiness in the future.
2 comments:
From a friend:
All incorrect views of religion discount or disregard the Atonement. Life is about becoming pure and worthy to return to God–one step at a time–and helping others to do the same. "Feeling good" is more of a consequence of correct living than the root goal. In fact, living to "feel good" won't lead to righteousness in most cases. That attitude naturally discredits the blessings of self-control and sacrifice.
Anyway, just a few thoughts.
I think many people fail to understand the full cause/effect factors in life. God doesn't simply bless us because we do good, but instead eternal unchanging laws of cause and effect result in positives for positives and negatives for negatives.
In essence, despite the motivation of doing a good thing, there will be positive consequences. The motivation itself also warrants positive or negative consequences. Too many people are just satisfied with the positive consequences of the outward motions when there is so much more, and in the end the negative consequences of the inward motions outweigh, hence the need of an Atonement.
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