Another title for today's post would be "Religion À la Carte" I like the Burger King stuff though. It's more provocative.
Obviously, not everyone I talk to belongs to a particular religion. Some have a generalized faith where they believe in God, for example, but do not attend services. Some declare their repugnance for any organized religion. Still others, consider themselves faithful and devout adherents but have a few issues with their Church on which they don't see eye-to-eye.
Interesting . . .
I have noticed a recurring theme in what people tell me that I find disturbing. When people pick and choose their religious beliefs from a menu you can always be sure of two things:
1. Their belief system allows them the full range of religious benefits.
But,
2. Their belief system doesn't require anything of them.
They get all the positives of religion but they don't have to do suffer any of the negatives. Their particular collection of religious menu items allows them to have all the religious benefits with none of the religious responsibilities.
This whole system strikes me as enormously convenient. If I were to structure my own religious faith I would definitely follow this example. Just think, you could attain the highest status in whatever this, or the next life, has to offer and not even break a sweat.
I could spare myself the uncomfortable realities of the following:
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated --
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (See D&C 130:20-21)There is something about the terms "law," "irrevocably decreed" "all blessings are predicated" and "obedience" that suggests we aren't being giving a menu from which to pick. What's more, this harsh pronouncement isn't followed by a list of any exceptions.
Interesting . . .
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