Worldview
There exists a misconception and prejudice against the institution of religion in the United States. I think it is the highest form of hypocrisy found within our culture. It masks itself with educated superiority, but reeks of intolerant hatred.
Religion in America as a majority is Christian.
The blame has been placed onto religion for war, global bloodshed, suffering, prejudice, hate, ignorance and so on. The hypocrisy is that these people who voice their views against religion are religious in their own right. No one excludes them self from the title of “religious”.
According to wikipedia “A religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, . . .” (Wikipedia: Religion)
According to the Free Dictionary religion is ” A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.” (The Free Dictionary: Religion)
If you don’t like those references Merriam-Webster defines religion as “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith” (Merriam-Webster: Religion).
Under these definitions Liberalism, Conservatism, Darwinism, and all other isms could be considered religious, especially the Athesim, lets not leave them out. I have met many Atheists with zeal devotion to their view or belief.
It is not my intent to negate the spirituality traditionally associated with the term religion, but this term has changed much in our culture. When once there was many who held a belief in God, some have chosen to “believe” in other ideas instead.
“My Religion”
Religion under the aforementioned definitions excludes no one. Everyone maintains and proselytizes “my religion”. This “my religion” can also be discussed as a “worldview”. Defined in wikipedia as “framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts in it” (Wikipedia: worldview)
When people criticize for being religious they are not saying much. They are criticizing themselves ultimately and being quite religious at it.
In the same way individual worldview should come up in the public square and should be criticized. The worldview is more broad and encompasses the thought behind the religious activity.
Let’s compare and contrast the Christian worldview with the Atheistic Darwinian worldview. How about the difference between the Christian worldview and the muslim worldview? Better yet how about the Stalin Communism worldview and the Atheistic Darwinian worldview. I am afraid that there will be consistencies that we are afraid to come to grips with.
We should ask questions like “Did church leaders follow the judeo-christian worldview when . . .?”
My rant is done.
The worldview category covers topics of Religion, Faith, Politics or any belief system including atheism.