On 4 January 2013 I had a heart attack and on 9 January underwent triple bypass surgery. This near-death experience and the ensuing recovery process did not change my basic ideas about religion, but did dampen my enthusiasm for writing about it. Thus the lull in my postings on this blog.
Religion is a social force which unites people by gathering them together so they can practice common rituals. Unfortunately, religion also divides people by generating us-versus-them mentalities. I still see very little connection between religion and God.
It may simply be that I am too much of a loner.
Whereas I am a member of many (too many) organizations, I am still a loner within each of them. All organizations, religions and otherwise, have their own rituals, attitudes, and behaviors. I have trouble adhering to them. This is a handicap, definitely not an asset.
But, from a theological aspect, I am what I am because God created me this way. All of us are endowed with talents and defects. Life is like a card game. We have to play with the hand we were dealt. We must make the best of our talents, no matter how meager they may be. Conversely, we must overcome our defects, no matter how disabling they may be.
Like it or not, we must play the game of life, for no other reason but that we are stuck with it.
So, Game On!
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