antichrist supperstar 1

during supper, preceded by the usual chill-out session at zouk, trefor and i had a casual discussion on religion. it began when i asked him why he didn't go to church since he claimed to be a christian. the response, to which i acquiesce, was essentially something like this:

"it's all about faith. i don't demonstrate my commitment to god with communal worshipping, and neither will you see me praying or doing anything superficial like that. it's all in the heart.

not going to church doesn't prove that i don't deserve to be a christian, or that i don't believe in god. conversely, going to church doesn't equate to more devotion or commitment."

to boldly postulate, i feel that nowadays, people dedicate time to churches chiefly because of familial or peer influence. i would think that not many church-goers actually become pious, devout christians or believe in god to save their souls and pass through the gates of paradise come judgement day.

they go to church because of socialization, conformity and (maybe) to avoid nagging. this contemporary dogmatism about christianity not only frays the beliefs of existing followers, but also casts shadows of doubt on would-be converts or believers, and accordingly renders more ammunition to the artillery of their skeptics.

i would like to believe that there still is a significant percentage of church-goers who unfalteringly give heart and soul in their religious commitments in their quest for redemption, but the black sheep in the flock are multiplying swiftly, owing largely to the inadequate lucidity when church communities recruit their followers. recruiters stipulate, in some way or another, that as long as you participate in church activities and/or make monetary contributions, heaven will open its doors for you. well, if salvation can be bought, then hell would be for paupers and beggars, instead of sinners and nonrepentants.

i expect that this entry will draw a few debatable comments that might lead to the usual disputes, but i hope it'll be light-hearted. there's no right or wrong answer here, just opinions and perspectives. oh, and there was also another issue of the antichrist and satanism, but i'm tired now. that will probably be discussed in my next post, if i can still retain the interest by then.