Theoretical Theology

As I have said before many times, I consider myself to be a Christian. I am not, however, religious. To me, being religious carries with it implications of blind adherance to the rhetoric of others. As you can imagine, when I try to explain this to others (considering I live below the "bible-belt) I tend to get in a little bit of trouble.

But think for a second, for the most part when you go to church, you are listening to someone else read to you and give you their interpretation on what it is they are reading. A lot of times, from my own experience, they are telling you what they think something is because "it just is that way" since they were told it was that way as a child, in bible college by their instructors, and so on. Rarely do many preachers seem to be scholarly enough to do their own research and try to reach their own conclusions or, at very least, reaffirm that in which they already believe.

That is why I don't go to church unless I'm invited to a wedding or funeral. I am not saying you shouldn't go to church if you feel like you get something from it. I just don't get any spiritual sustenance from the experience, because when I sit in front of some preachers, it doesn't seem like what they are telling me comes from heart and honest faith, but from memory and rehearsal.

Earlier this year one of the few preachers... I should say teachers rather, died on my birthday. Doctor Eugene Scott. If you get a chance to read or listen to any of his work, you really should. It wasn't until I began listening to him a few years ago that my faith became renewed and I began, albeit slowly to do my own research into the bible as well as metaphysics and the occult. I think what did it for me was that teacher attitude and his scholarly mannerisms. He spoke and it didn't feel like sitting in front of a recording being replayed.

That's why on Sunday, the one day of the week I ever seem to get any real reading and study in, I say my prayers, meditate, and think the thoughts that usually escape me.