I’ve had this movie on my Netflix list for a really long time, but it kept itself in the middle of the queue as other seemingly more interesting movies leapfrogged over it to the top of my attention. Finally, it’s turn came and I must say, watching this film from the 1930′s is an experience. It’s unlike any movie you’ve seen and I can’t imagine anything like it ever being made again.
Well, from the Jehovah’s Witnesses anyway. While I was on the phone the other day I heard a knock at my door. I didn’t bother to answer it since I was busy, but once I got off the phone I went to the door and saw a pamphlet had been left outside. When I retrieved it I saw the title "The WatchTower, Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom". (I assume it was left by the Jehovah’s witnesses, but since I didn’t see them, it could have been Jehovah himself!)
Curious, I took a look inside. One article stood out to me, entitled "A Creator Worthy of Our Praise". It wasn’t so much the title that struck me, but the opening sentences.
"Have you ever wondered ‘What is the meaning of life?’ Those who believe that life is the result of mindless evolution grope in vain for the answer."
Really? That’s quite a supposition. Have they surveyed every person who accepts evolution? Do they not realize that many religious individuals also accept evolution? Ignoring this blatant generalization, I was curious how they would answer that question. Certainly with an opening statement like that, they must be sure they can answer the question clearly and it must be within the article. I didn’t have to read much farther to get their answer.
"Not so those who accept the well-established truth that Jehovah God is the Source of life."
Mkay…so from this I can gleam that they think evolution is not well established and that it is a known fact that God is the source of life. What reference do they provide for this? Well a bible verse of course. Hence begins the circular logic. They also miss the fact that evolution says nothing about the "source" of life, only its diversity. But beyond that, even if you accept that God is the "source" of life, that does not answer the question, "What is the meaning of life?" But they go on:
"They know that he had a purpose in creating us. That purpose is stated at Revelation 4:11."
Now we’re getting somewhere…a defacto reference to where the meaning of life is revealed! I pulled out my copy of the New Testament, provided to me by the Gideons when I was in 5th grade public school many years ago, and read the passage. No comment on the constitutionality of this now…maybe for another post.
Revelations 4:11, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and dominion, because You have created all things, and by Your will they were and have been created."
Hmm…not sure I get it from that alone, it seems to me to be saying we need to worship God and give him praise because he is the creator, not telling me the meaning of life…Maybe I need to read more of the article. They go on about how we should see the "invisible qualities" in God’s creations and how he is "deserving of our reverential respect", but nothing more about why we are here. WAIT, here it is…clearly in the last paragraph.
"Why, then, are we here?" The last part of Revelation 4:11 answers: ‘Because of your will they [all created things] existed and were created.’ We did not will ourselves into existence. We exist because of God’s will. For this reason, life lived solely for self-interest is empty and meaningless. To find inner peace, joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment, we need to learn what God’s will is and then bring our life into harmony with it. Only then will we find the purpose of our creation and existence."
So there version of Revelations 4:11 is worded slightly differently than the Gideons. Never mind that, I think we get the point. Those who believe in "mindless" evolution obviously are self-centered people who care nothing for the rest of mankind. And they can never have true joy or satisfaction with their lives? Only those who reject evolution are loving caring people.
Ignoring yet another blatant generalization, they didn’t answer the question!!…it just says you have to believe in God and then decipher what his purpose for you is. Why is it so hard to figure out? Why isn’t God more clear about what he wants us to do?
But wait, what if there is no purpose? What if you spend your life groping for a purpose that does not exist? How is that a joyful, fulfilling or satisfying life? Why not just accept that your existence is, and enjoy your life without the dogma of a religion pulling you down searching for a meaning that may not exist.
What’s wrong with being good because you care about your fellow man and understand as a society we all benefit if we work together. Why not make the world a better place because you care about your children and your grand-children instead of because of the fear of retribution from a vengeful God?
I for one want more from a God than generalizations and demands of praise. So until they can answer the question more concretely, I will continue to live my life and derive satisfaction, joy and fulfillment without the dogma, guilt or fear from religion.