Religion is the realm within which we search for the truth...and
there is only one (truth, that is). There are definitely thousands of
religions searching for it, but there is only one truth to find. How is
sustainable agriculture not a religion? If there was no creation to
steward and love, we would not even have this list or this topic?
Saying that we are all right in our beliefs simply because they are
ours (the Druids are right because thats what they believe, the
Muslims are right because thats what they believe, on and on ad
infinitum) gets us no closer to the truth, and puts us on a
ridiculously high pedestal relative to the Creator. The only thing we
know for certain is that we don't know the whole truth. So if we
take a stand for certain behaviors as being right (sustainable
agriculture for instance), then that is an act of faith and nothing to
be ashamed of, nor frightened of, nor is it a discussion to be
avoided.
Lastly, before we assert our perception of "strange" religious
practice, we had better assess our own ignorance. Catholics, for
example, do not "worship" dead saints nor icons...they worship the
triune God, the Creator. That they ask for prayerful intercession
from dead saints (residing in heaven nonetheless), or conclude
after considerable deliberation that grace can be transferred via
inanimate objects, is also an act of faith and should serve as an
initiator of discussion, not a barrier.
So thank you Bargyla for opening this particular can of worms, as
we all know worms are beneficial and not to be avoided. So, with
all due respect and diplomacy, let's get on with it.
JimK
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