Weird Beliefs

I had a very interesting conversation at SBL with an old friend and a friend of that friend. I entered the conversation (already in progress) with an abrupt question (from the friend’s friend) about whether I thought the Bible was “the Word of God uniquely revealed” (or something to that effect). As I tried to think of a balanced, witty, insightful and profound reply, my friend chimed in and said “Just answer, no thinking about it, yes or no…” (or something to that effect).

So I said “No”.

The conversation that ensued began with a focus on religious experience as a potential point of commonality between some Christians and those in other traditions who have had life-changing spiritual experiences. From there it quickly moved to doctrine, with the friend’s friend pointing out that Mormons claim to have had a religious experience, but also believe… (there ensued a list of various Mormon doctrines about Gods as men, other planets, and so on).

This led me to think about just how many beliefs there are, held by at least some Christians who adhere to something like traditional orthodoxy, which are equally “weird” if one can just try to look at them as an outsider would. Some examples include:

– The belief that God caused an engaged virgin, in a society that punishes sexual misconduct with death, to become pregnant supernaturally, with the potential result that she might be suspected of wrongdoing, at the very least be shamed and thought ill of, and in a worst case scenario might be executed.

– The belief that God sent his son to die, and yet holds accountable those who were part of the process of bringing that death about.

– The belief that God considers it just if an innocent victim is punished in the place of the guilty, who then go free. [For a better understanding of what Paul may have thought on this subject, go here].

– The belief that God made all the evidence in the natural world point to an old earth and evolution and then is angry that people actually draw that conclusion.

I could go on, but presumably you can complete the list yourself. One last example, however, from the domain of ritual, which when foreign always seems strange and when familiar always seems perfectly natural. In about a month’s time, many of us will stick a tree in our homes, decorate it with lights an garlands, wrap presents and place them under it, and quite possibly leave out a plate of cookies. If this wasn’t second nature to you, can you appreciate how very odd it might seem?

I’m not advocating the abolition either of “strange beliefs” in general or of Christmas rituals in particular. I’m not suggesting that every instance of language that presupposes an outmoded worldview needs to be replaced and updated (although I am not opposed to that either). Nor am I even persuaded that affirming propositional beliefs however absurd is not a necessary stage in the development of human spirituality. The real issue with respect to the subject of this blog post is when (1) people who have reached an age of maturity continue to adhere to an adolescent spirituality, and (2) fail to apply the Golden Rule by viewing the “weird beliefs” and “bizarre practices” of others in the same way they would like their own to be viewed by others. And hopefully, in the process of reaching the maturity that will enable them to do these things, they will also take the initiative in critically investigating their own views and outlook, rather than waiting for others to do so and then defending their own assumptions and traditions at all costs.