Righteousness?

 

right·eous·ness

noun

"The quality of being morally right or justifiable."

-- Oxford Languages

Why do we keep equating "righteousness" with religion? Well, if you're right, your right, and religion is supposed to be all about doing what's right, right?  All religions have traveled a thorny path trying to do what's right.  You can please some people all the time and all people some of the time, but you can't please all people all the time.  People are basic. Correction:  People are basically stupid.

When we discuss religion, most of us immediately equate it to faith.  And, this is true.  But, "faith" is nothing more than a belief in something for which there is little or no proof.  Atheists also have "faith" in their beliefs.  They must have, because they have little or no proof, just like theists, but they still have a belief in their hypothesis.

So, it is pretty easy to see how theists or atheists can both be "righteous" per the definition. Everyone has the ability to be morally right or justifiable. You don't have to be a theist to do what is morally right or morally justifiable.  We have a vibrantly robust "rule of law" to guide all of us, in civilized society.

I am told by atheists that I am wrong to be a theist.  When I ask why, they say that theism makes no sense.  When I ask them to show me their incontrovertible proof. They, either, ask me what "incontrovertible" means, or they call me stupid.  When they ask me for my proof, I tell them I have faith, just like they do.  Then they deny having any faith and call me even more colorful names. I hate labels, but I have come to refer to these people as the League of the Perpetually Offended.

I'm one of those fence-sitting Christians that find it unproductive to beat my head against a wall trying to change the minds of people who don't want to change.  Belief is what you make of it.  For me, I like to think there is something at the end of this life - the next great adventure.  Atheists might argue that, when this life is done, that's it, and this works for me.  If there is nothing, I die and that's it.  If I'm right, about "the next great adventure," then it will be so much less crowded without all those atheists taking up precious oxygen.  If you don't think there is life after death, then sayōnara, arrivederci, adiós, au revoir, and goodbye.  You will reap what you sow.  If I'm right, however, then it will really suck being them.  We believe what we believe, and I can respect their belief, whether they respect mine or not.

I'm a Christian because it's the way I was brought up to believe. But, I have raised the bar several times since my childhood.  I have become spiritual in my belief system.  I believe that there is an omnipotent power in the universe that created everything.  It always was, is now, and forever shall be, a world without end.  Amen.  What does describe?  Well, maybe some universal creative energy.

I really like the "Star Wars" franchise of movies.  They bring it all down to basics, a "force" that is at odds with a "dark" force.  Balance in the universe.  Good against evil.  No deities to muck things up. You can either choose good or evil.  The eternal battle.

Well, I'm not the picture of perfection, but I try to be as excellent as I can be.  I fudge the rules occasionally, but I try to do it in a good way, to benefit other people.  I'm not "righteous" in life, but I am better than most.  I try to be honest in my opinions, even though I find myself being hypocritical at times:  "Don't do what I do, do what I say. Save yourself." I like to blaze my own path through the thorns, briars, quicksand, and snakes.  Righteousness?  At the "Rapture," I will give what "God" needs, not what "God" wants.

I have faith and belief, and I hope it is enough.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions offered. After over twenty years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance... he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center. 

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com