Upon sorting out my tips the other day, I came across this five dollar bill.
My brain lurched to a halt as I processed a thought that went a little something like, Oh, *#%$ NO.
You’re welcome to disagree with my views, but let me break this down.
It seems as though the line at the bottom, “Freedom from religious nonsense,” is meant to elaborate on the personal edit above it that says, “In science and reason we trust.”
You want freedom from religious nonsense? Sure. Don’t we all? I can’t speak for every religion, but as a Christian, I personally loathe nonsense. The type of nonsense I’m referring to, however, is hypocrisy, legalism and the twisting or fabrication of rules. Yes, welcome freedom.
But “God” was crossed out, too. That’s where I draw a line. God is not religion. In God I DO trust. In religion? Nope. They just aren’t the SAME thing exactly.
I trust the God of the Bible, the one who can call Himself jealous and who can call Himself love, the one who can occupy my heart while being omnipresent, the one who knows all things, yet lets His own followers choose him willingly, not forcefully.
In God I trust.
In science and reason?
First of all, I don’t see science as contradicting God. I see science as being created by God and still being discovered by man.
And reason? You mean man’s reason? You mean a man who used to stumble around in his own diapers, eventually was educated by somebody else, understands the tiny slice of the world he’s been exposed to and – without even a scientific understanding of how the entire brain works – eventually “concludes” what life is all about, reasonably and rightly?
No. No, I don’t trust him. He’s schizophrenic. He’s George W. Bush and he’s Barak Obama. He’s Mother Theresa and he’s Hitler. He’s Audrey Hepbern and he’s Tom Cruise. No, it’s impossible for “reason” to be absolute. And I refuse to “trust” something so subjective.
Science and reason.
I’m sorry, but in the lowest moments of my life, “science” is not what carried me. When Brian and I were at rock bottom and divorce was on the table, “reason” is not what brought us together, stronger than ever. In fact, any “reasonable” person would have seen separation as a fair and understandable next step.
In those days, I didn’t research science and I didn’t seek the world’s council. I held tight to the Lord Jesus Christ and awkwardly, rigidly held to the faith of my youth, the one that seems “unreasonable” at times.
And I’m so glad I did.
Because the One who claims to love me, to have created me, to know me better than I know myself and to have reconciled me – a wretch – to Himself through no deserving right of my own, He was faithful to who He says He is and turned our marriage around.
I didn’t trust science.
I didn’t trust reason.
I didn’t even trust religion.
But I trusted Jesus, and I happen to believe that He’s God.
And you know what? I’m not even the teeniest bit disappointed that I did.
Word.
Thank you š
Amen!!!!!
well said and lived Suzy. I wish everyone knew that the science behind the reason we have that choice is because of a Creator who designed them/us. Choose wisely.
thanks for sharing…hope that wasn’t on the five I left you!
#$%* yeah!!
YEAH!!!
Thank you!
So, do you spend it and further its circulation or tear it up? Could be thought provoking for others- positively or negatively…..?
I’m told that I can exchange it at the bank and it’ll get taken care of from there. …But I sure do hate going to the bank…
Truth.
I’m not a 100% believer in “organized” religion, but I
am a 100% believer in respect. Even having read the
most religious comments on your blog, I always find you to be fair and not demeaning to others. I think there are far better ways to express one’s love of science and technology than by defacing currency and especially, crossing out GOD.
As for pure “reason”, where can we find it in practice today? I’d love to know.
amen and again, amen