My Dear Children,
A parent carries a heavy burden. For instance, my decisions impact not only my own life but the lives of my children and likely multiple generations after them, as well. The thought shakes me to the core. There are minor decisions and there are major decisions. In spite of the unavoidable consequences of the choices made by their progenitors, however, children have the right and the responsibility to make their own decisions. Along these lines, the topic of religion weighs heavily upon my mind. Religion deeply impacts our lives. Our beliefs drive our actions and color our perceptions. Even if we adhere to no particular religion, since we live in a tightly knit society, the beliefs of others impact our lives through our associations and public policies.
What Is Religion?
When I refer to religion, I refer to “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects,” as defined by dictionary.com. By this definition, religion and organized religion are really synonymous. I am agnostic yet hopeful that there is a god (see Intelligence and Agnosticism). I am also highly non-religious because I feel to reserve to myself the privilege of determining my beliefs and not to be constrained by the beliefs or notions of others. This does not mean that I do not value the wisdom of others. On the contrary, I have endeavored to learn from the wise and, in fact, from whatever source I may glean understanding. One can learn from fools, too. So because I am hopeful that there is a god, and because I am exceedingly grateful for the life that I enjoy, recognizing that the substance of it extends far beyond my grasp, I have spent a great deal of time contemplating the creator.
What Manner Of God is He?
Consider your lives. Think of the earth and the skies. Summon all you know about nature and its processes. Now consider the things that you have personally done, whether activities that you have engaged in or objects that you have made. Did you manifest yourself in those things? Did your personality affect the outcome? I think certainly so. Then what can we say about the creator of life and the universe? He is generous, patient, kind, loving, expansive, abundant, liberal, and allowing. These attributes are observable and verifiable. They do not depend on myths, legends, or supernatural manifestations. In response to the Jews who made judgments about people who were in God’s favor and those who were not, Jesus simply observed that God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) In other words, Jesus’ doctrine was observable and verifiable.
God’s Gifts To Man
God has granted us humans some wonderful gifts: life, agency, and reason, to name a few. Agency refers to the right and privilege we enjoy of exercising choice and making our own decisions on matters that relate to our lives. Reason refers to the power of our minds to consider multiple scenarios, weigh evidence, and form abstract conclusions. Religious leaders also often claim some powers from God, but no power or authority on earth can rightfully revoke a blessing which God graciously bestows himself directly. Likewise, no man can banish the sun. Furthermore, we should never show God contempt by carelessly laying his gifts aside. Rather, we should cherish and use them to our fullest ability.
Pros and Cons Of Organized Religion
Organized religion, like any coalition, has benefits and detriments. If there were no benefits at all, it’s unlikely that organized religion would have survived until now. On the other hand, one could argue that religion is quickly dying out and that, therefore, it has no real advantages. This possibility doesn’t trouble me, but I at least want to give credit where credit is due. Religion can build a sense of community, may serve as an effective vehicle for transmitting cultural norms, and often succeeds in passing on values, even if those values are dubious to people outside of the religion. While many of these products of religion could be obtained through other coalitions, one could argue that transcendent values are almost exclusively seated in the domain of religion. I personally would find it hard to argue against this point. Many of the things that I like about myself, I learned or obtained in religion.
Sadly, there are some dreadful drawbacks to religion. These negative effects seem to present more commonly among authoritarian regimes which descend from the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but are not exclusive to them. They are coercion, exploitation, and control. There is another interesting outcome which mostly plagues those who either leave the religion or fail to live up to its mandates as determined by the righteous. Ostracism. Those who have left are demonized. This is probably done to keep adherents in line. Joseph Smith created one such authoritarian regime and even he lamented that, “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” (D&C 121:39)
Priesthood, What Is It?
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery claimed that Peter, James, and John, the apostles of Jesus, appeared in 1829 and conferred the priesthood and that apostleship upon them. The noble aspect of this is that a man should not claim to act for God unless God has commissioned him. I have received this priesthood and the lesser office of elder through a succession of bearers of it. Consequently, I have thought a lot about it. What is it and what purpose does it serve? Does it give a man dominion? Possibly, but God has dominion and look at how he exercises it. I love how Joseph Smith expressed it; “There is one thing under the sun which I have learned and that is that the righteousness of man is sin because it exacteth over much; nevertheless, the righteousness of God is just, because it exacteth nothing at all.” (TPJS pg 317) So if priesthood is authorized to act for God, it must exact nothing at all. Let that sink in.
Priesthood, As I See It
I will not speak for others, but the calling of the priesthood which settles upon me stirs me up to the work of serving others and to be a light to the world by emulating those attributes of God mentioned above. I have no authority beyond this. Again, Joseph Smith wrote that, “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul…” (D&C 121:41-42) Jesus, the great high priest, compared his movement to leavening; “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” (Matthew 13:33) Priesthood should be in the business of lifting others up, of improving the whole bunch, and of giving liberally of that which it has: faith, hope, and love. It should bless unstintingly, just as God our Lord clearly does.
Take The Good, Leave The Bad
Children, I want you to know that I did not bring you into organized religion to be victims of the rampant evil that I see in it. NO! Evil lurks everywhere and regardless of our paths through life, we must learn to avoid it. Most importantly, strive unceasingly not to be the cause of it. I placed you here because I felt that it offered the best environment in which to nurture these transcendent values. Furthermore, I consider it an honor to associate with others whose devotions mirror my own. I hope that you will live virtuously. Emulate God without fear of those who seek to coerce, exploit, or control you. Take the good and leave the bad. This will make you unpopular with certain types, but that’s okay; zealots were never your friends anyway.
I feel a fierce determination and responsibility to serve my fellow man in the same manner that I have freely received of God’s richness and blessing. He is majestic! God blesses and requires nothing in return. By contrast, religion requires the sacrifice to precede the blessing, and the sacrifice had better sting! By requiring nothing, brilliantly, God has forever sealed my heart to his. Even if there were no promise of eternal life or heavenly reward, it would still be so. Therefore, if no reward motivates me, how much less the threat of curses? To those who would threaten and oppress me, I only say, “I do not fear you. I serve God. His goodness and grace blinds me to your hate.”
With love, your dad,
Ariel Hammon.