Consent

 I have written it many times, call it an adage if you like, there is little you can say that hasn't been said before. It is something that came to my attention while composing these blogs of mine. There are times when I enter one into a plagiarism checker, just the fun of it. I'm not trying to sell these posts, not trying to profit from someone else's thoughts, not worried about being sued, just amusing myself. I am amused when that checker matches some of my thoughts and words with the more famous people in the world. After that had happened a number of times that is what I thought. 

  This morning after posting my morning salutation I was scrolling down my page. A meme shows up and I'm reading some of my thoughts written by one of those famous people. Well, it's not exactly the same thing but the premise is the same. "One the greatest tragedies of mankind is that morality has been hijacked by religion and that religion and morality have a necessary connection. " It's a theme I often write about, just not as eloquently as Arthur C Clarke. Arthur identified himself as agnostic. He would neither confirm nor deny the existence of God. Someone who just never made up his mind. I believe in the existence of God and so would debate him on that, but not on his thought about religion hijacking morality. 

  I say that because of the frequent responses I get to my posts assuming I'm speaking from a religious platform, when in fact, I am not. When I'm talking about morality I'm not talking about religious doctrine. Yet, just as Arthur pointed out, many seem to be very confused about that. Religious doctrines have caused some of the most immoral and outright evil acts of mankind. Morality, and the recognition of those moral truths have generally brought those actions to heel. The biggest struggle being the reconciliation of moral behavior with the realities of this world. All religious doctrine, in my opinion, is the delineation of a conditional moral state. That morality is subject to change, what we sometime label as growth. I believe that moral truth remains unchanged across all of history, that moral truth itself is God. 

  We are all introduced to a religious doctrine. When we are children we are taken to church, taught about God and the worship of God. Generally it will be whatever our parents practiced. Some of us will adopt that and retain that allegiance throughout our lives. Others will grow to reject the entire premise. And still others seek a more convenient faith, a practicing of religion that suits their desires. A more comfortable faith. And, of course, you will have those that go to extremes to prove their faith and those that will simply deny everything. Those agnostics, like Arthur C Clarke simply don't openly admit to anything at all. They are the Switzerland of religious folks, neutral. Switzerland does not have an official religion, just like us. Strangely however they are known for their Swiss Army knives. But I digress.

 I was raised in the Episcopal church. Well, the truth is it was the Episcopal church as presented to me by the Reverend Samuel Davis during the 1960's. Today while watching a service from tat same church and pulpit via live streaming, the method, the doctrine, and the message is quite a bit different. It has changed. Indeed some of the fundamental principles I was taught have been "modified" "updated" or "modernized." I can hear the Reverend Davis responding to some of what I have heard and it wouldn't be congratulations! There has been a shift in religious doctrine. For me however, there has been no shift in the moral lesson, it remains the same. I haven't gone in search of a religion to match my own ideals. I just don't feel the need for that validation.

 I agree, morality has been hijacked by religion. It was hijacked many centuries ago by those willing to use that power for their personal gain. Emotions are great motivators but seldom good guides is another adage I like to use. When religious leaders began channeling those emotions to enrich themselves, to gain and hold power, the moral lessons had to be modified. If I am supporting the religious doctrine, I am acting in a moral way. I therefore will be rewarded by whatever deity, power, or God is in control. In short, I will be rewarded. 

  It is the promise of reward that resides at the core of all religious doctrines. What is the reward for living a moral life? For me, I would say it is peace. It is that "peace of God that passes all understanding" that the Reverend Davis so often quoted. And now, at 72 I'm just beginning to understand what that means. It is why we say Rest in Peace. Morality isn't about right and wrong, it isn't about directing others on their paths. It is about finding peace in your heart and soul. If you are paying attention, are honest with yourself, you will know right from wrong. You don't need to be told. None of this is by accident.

  Life isn't just something that happens. Remember when Ilan Omar said, "some people did something" She was attempting to defend her "religious doctrine" against an attack from Christians and Jews. Her religious doctrine contains moral conditions that justify killing others, seeking vengeance and domination. 109 verses in fact. Those doing that will receive a reward! In that doctrine martyrs will be rewarded. Traditionally the promised reward was expressed as receiving 72 virgins. That isn't what the Quran actually says though, just to be honest about that. Still, the promise of reward for immoral acts is there. It's part of the religious doctrine. The crusaders were doing the same thing, although there are no verses in the Bible promising any reward for that, the reward came from where? 

  Morality is that which you do with a clear conscience and no promise of reward. Is morality shaped by your environment? Yes, it certainly is. That was the thinking behind the composition of the Constitution. It was why there was no state religion established. We had declared our intent to just that with a few declarative statements. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - " The consent of the governed. What governs consent? Morality. Everything else is manmade . That's my thought this morning.