Last weekend my husband suggested we go see the new Bill Maher movie, Religulous. I immediately said no -- not because I didn't think parts of it would be really funny. Anybody making fun of my favorite subject (religion) has a good chance of making me laugh -- but because I knew the jokes would be based on the age old debate: atheism vs. well.... theism. And that gets me riled up. I'm sick of the debate. It's stupid. It's become the worst dichotomy of dichotomies. I call myself a person of faith but in no way believe in this supreme being/old man in the sky that judges or tells us what to do, which is what the atheists are so much against. (I feel my blood pressure rising right now.)
I do think religion has a very important role in our world. Yes, religions have been the impetus of a few wars, and I never make light of that. But that has more to do with unbalanced, systemic power and an obsession of violence than the actual fundamentals of religion. Religious people have also been the impetus for lots of really good things. Lets take for example....I dunno.....Jesus? Jesus was an extremely radical person who worked for the poor and outcast. All of the world's great religions have offered the world immense good.
My point is that my faith is the foundation of my social activism. (Trust me -- I tried to rid myself of my religious leanings before -- it didn't work). It is what connects me to people in Malawi, the Philippines, Bolivia, and other people all over the world that live in this beautiful creation of ours. My spiritual practice is what drives me to work for justice and believe whole heartedly in the mission of sustainable good and Outreach International.
-Karyn Wingard-Manuel
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