I have pointed out what I see as potential pitfalls of unwavering certainty about religion, but that is only one half of the equation. To balance any equation, one must look at both sides. The problem with any attempt at doing so is that I am obviously going to be inclined to look at benefits of a Christian religion, as that is what I was raised in, and it is where we attend church every Sunday. I will therefore attempt to look at what is gained by religion generically, and them move over to the specific gifts offered by Christianity.
First and foremost, religion offers a base structure and understanding of the world, right and wrong, the purpose of life, and how to live a good life. Most religions offer a basic road map that lays out what waypoints to aim for, and things to avoid through your journey. All of this can be done without religion, at least in theory, however it is unlikely to be predominant culturally, and therefore may not take hold or be persuasive. Religious communities tend to have higher rates of marriage, lower rates of divorce, and larger families, because all of these are emphasized as important parts of a well-lived, happy life. These practices and beliefs serve as an anchor in a sea full of turmoil. They prevent us from being dragged to-and-fro by every trend and mindless new idea.
Included in this bundle of life advice are tidbits of often overlooked wisdom. The idea of Shabbat is wonderful in an age rife with technology and social media, and the Sabbath serves a similar purpose. Most religions have pronouncements regarding substances that go into the human body, helping to maintain health, or avoid issues such as addiction. Religions prescribe prayer, which at the very least is a wonderful exercise in mindfulness and gratitude. They recommend against vices which can have negative consequences in our lives. These commonalities exist across most organized religions, although they vary greatly.
Religion, in general, also offers a large community, something severely lacking in today’s world. Without a group of likeminded individuals readily available, each person must find or build a community, sorting through the population around them to find those with similar goals, values, interests and outlook. They may join a bowling league, book club, or build friendships with neighbors. All of these are great, but they require time, effort and patience. With a church, you sit down each week in a building full of people from various backgrounds, find common ground, and discover that you hold many of the same things dear. This is true at a Mosque, Synagogue or Chapel.
Yet another commonality is the hope for a better situation after death. Most religions hold some belief in a form of life after death. This may be reincarnation, resurrection, or a disembodied form of existence in peace. The validity of these claims remains up in the air for me, but I do know that these beliefs offer great comfort to many people during very trying times. While I cannot know for a certainty what occurs when we pass on, the more I witness, the less likely it seems to me that some form of continuation is out of the question. At the very least, it is worthwhile to live your life in a way that would offer a chance at reward after this life, as that path is likely to lead you to live a life that will make your time in this world that much more satisfying and rewarding.
More specifically, Christianity offers hope and redemption. We all screw up, most of us in pretty big ways, throughout our lives. I tend to believe that guilt is a natural response to doing something we know or feel to be wrong. Some people are more prone to it than others (see Grandma), but I suspect the vast majority of people feel it at one point or another. Christianity offers a belief structure based around the idea that we can receive forgiveness for errors made, whether by commission or omission. Instead of being a permanent blot on our conscience, these mistakes can become a lesson, a reminder of how to behave in the future, something to guide us and help us live a better life moving forward. In fact, the Bible seems to teach that through the teachings and sacrifice of Jesus, our weaknesses can be made into strengths. The individual who once lacked faith can better reach other non-believers where they are. A reformed alcoholic can help guide people lost in darkness back to a path of light.
In addition, Christianity does not offer a prescriptive list of actions for every scenario. The guiding ethos is more a philosophy of love, sacrifice and service. The teachings were often offered in parables, enabling the underlying principles to be applied to a plethora of various situations. While the Old Testament laid out oddly specific rules for many scenarios, Christians teach that Jesus fulfilled the law, and those rules were superseded by principles such as “Love thy neighbor” and “Blessed are the meek…” While this requires critical thought, and a deep willingness to seek understanding, it is far more practical than referring back to a book for any given situation. The New Testament may be the single best summary of how to live a life that provides meaning, purpose, satisfaction and desirable results.
Our current society has abandoned much of the ideas taught by Jesus, even many who claim to follow him. Gone are the days of forgiveness and turning the other cheek, and instead power and vengeance are sought. We also see many who may claim love and forgiveness, but in practice they dig up every past error to prove that a perceived enemy is clearly immoral, or not to be treated with dignity. An adherence to the teachings of Jesus is an antidote to this; indeed, it may be the only antidote. Search as I may, I have yet to find another set of beliefs, principles and teachings that so thoroughly refutes what ails and afflicts our sick and broken culture. The cure for vitriol cannot be further contempt, but must be love. A call for vengeance cannot be overcome with additional retribution, but forgiveness.
Finally, Christianity emphasizes the only truly reliable path towards a happy, successful marriage, as far as I can tell. Love, forgiveness, growth and repentance are all key principles taught by Christianity, and each is a necessary part of a marriage that lasts a lifetime. Famed Christian author G.K. Chesterton probably summed it up best when he said, “To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.” I cannot summarize the teachings and effect of Christianity better than that, but I can tell you that if you internalize those principles, your marriage will be better. There will come times in which you or your spouse will require forgiveness. Periods will occur in which one or the other will seem unlovable. Life will hand your marriage periods that feel hopeless, whether because of financial struggle, parenting struggles, sickness or any other number of situations. Any of those can sink your marriage, unless you are both dedicated to forgiving and looking towards a future that is brighter and more hopeful than the present.
To reemphasize, this is one half of the equation. I have already covered some of the possible pitfalls of belief, particularly when not combined with humility, critical thought and humility. When looking at any topic, one must way the good and bad. The subject that is wholly one-sided is rare, if not nonexistent. One must weigh all angles, and choose accordingly.
Love,
Dad