Well...

I seem to be on a roll with all this theological pondering. (see the last two entries to see what I mean.) Today, it's a little different though: thoughts about the origins of religion. I spent the evening with two of my very, Very dear friends, and we touched on this one topic in the course of our evening chatter. And I was rather interested to know what their views were as devoted Christians.

So, I introduced the subject, and found that we were able to have a wonderfully engaging discussion on the topic, simply by my beginning with, (in my head,) "Suppose that the Bible is the absolute Word of God..." while they thought more as, "Seeing that the Bible is the absolute Word of God..."

Now, as I earlier said, this is about the origins of religions, (excluding Christianity, seeing as that was the Word of God, direct, and through his disciples. Also excluding the later off-shoots, and more recent creations. I meant the Ancient religious developments. Out of nothing, or at least out of a most basic unstructured spirituality.) What led so many people around the world to decide on Gods, and ... religion. -and then to pass it on to people around them? Of course, there is the need to explain the unknown. There is also the belief in Fate. But... one thing which I heard from one of my friends, was that "It's so reassuring that there is a plan, and that whatever happens to me, it is for the best." And he meant it not in the everlasting, eternal, it-will-all-be-alright-after-I'm-dead-in-Heaven kind-of-way; He meant that whatever goes on In his life, will leave him better off... Now, in the present time.

So... what that made me think of, is the changing of Fate from a chaotic force, to a force Only for the Good. It is a validated Optimism to me. It means that all occurrences are beneficial, if only we could understand them properly. (I guess now, that this is also the assurance of having someone Good, in charge of it all. It must be great to know that there is Nothing to really worry about; seeing as all is in the will of the creator, and that He is looking after us, and our best interests. -Still though, it feels to me like simple Optimism, merely given the validating touch of God. (Who, in this case, represents the Magical, or the All powerful, and the Spiritual.))

So, my though was about if many religions of the world have this optimism in them, and weather there is a common craving in humanity, to feel the reassurance, that Every Thing will Be Alright. Was that one of the driving forces behind the founding of many theologies?

At any rate... that's what we discussed a bit. And Yes: I know that I did an awful job explaining it, with constant changes in my topic. But... it was only meant as a thought in the first place; not as a polished (or even finished) argument.

Now I make my disclaiming closing statement:

I apologize for the offence that this could no doubt give many people. At least I am considering God, and the Christian Religion.