Tuesday 5 April 2011

A few words on religion


Jheronimus Bosch
Tuin der lusten

The idea of a religion always seemed a primitive one to me. People didn't understand what moved the world around them and created religions to explain it, I thought. But what if religion came from a different source? What if it came from our fascination with the world's incredible complexity rather than our obscure understanding of it? What surrounds us, and the very nature of our own existence, is of such imposing dimensions that ascribing it divine origins would seem like an appropriate way to match this might.

Could it be then, that religion is just a tribute to the marvellous complexity of our world? If so, praise that is commensurate (if not exceeding!) divinity would seem even more appropriate today than in the past. After all, the complexity is no longer a mystery, but a reality! And shouldn't we praise more that which is certain than that which is not? Then, paradoxically, would it not be safe to say that now, more than ever, it is time to be religious?