Bridging Beliefs and The Spiritual Argument for Embracing Pro-Choice
“Despite these ordeals, my journey has also been one of extraordinary insight. I’ve discovered a natural ability to speak the ‘languages’ of various religious mentalities, allowing me to bridge gaps between disparate worldviews. This unique perspective has unveiled the often unseen reasons why religious and non-religious people struggle to communicate.”
I believe that in the vast expanse of human thought and belief, few concepts carry as much weight and mystery as those found within the pages of religious scripture. For those who seek to understand, I’ll explain what my religions meant to me personally. Scripture is more than just a collection of texts; it is a foundation that holds the ideals, moral laws, and narratives of spiritual traditions. It provides a clear path to one form of enlightenment.
Within Christianity, scripture is the Bible, a compilation of writings that include history, poetry, prophecy, and divine revelation. These texts aim to guide believers in their journey through life, providing insights into the nature of God, morality, and human existence. One of the profound doctrines presented in the Bible is that of “Original Sin.” This doctrine finds its roots in the opening chapters of Genesis, where the story of Adam and Eve unfolds.
Their disobedience in the Garden of Eden, which I’ll go into deeper later, choosing to eat the forbidden fruit, symbolizes the first act of rebellion against divine command (Genesis 3:1-24). As a result, sin entered the human condition, and with it came suffering, mortality, and separation from God. Original Sin is often understood as this inherited state of sinfulness, affecting all of humanity. It frames the human experience, setting the stage for the trials and tribulations we encounter in life.
Earthly trials come in many forms, manifesting as tests of character and resilience. Examples include the struggles of illness and disability, the pain of broken relationships, and the shadows of mental health challenges. Financial hardship, loss of loved ones, and the pervasive search for meaning in a transient world are further trials faced by individuals. These experiences resonate deeply within us, highlighting our vulnerabilities and the shared human condition.
In my own life, I’ve faced trials that have shaped my understanding of religious mentalities and the complexities of human communication. As a child, I existed within the folds of various families, having been an in-familial foster kid. Unwanted and misunderstood, I navigated a world where my autism and resultant traumas marked me as different.
My disabilities, invisible yet impactful, were met with misunderstanding and neglect. The families I lived with failed to see the humanity beneath what they could not comprehend, leading to an endless cycle of abuse. Each household brought its own challenges, but the pain I endured at the hands of a devout Catholic family was particularly scarring. Their harsh discipline, meant as a form of correction, or “corporal punishment” as I’ve been taught, felt like a crucible after each round of flagellation.
Despite these ordeals, my journey has also been one of extraordinary insight. I’ve discovered a natural ability to speak the 'languages' of various religious mentalities, allowing me to bridge gaps between disparate worldviews. This unique perspective has unveiled the often unseen reasons why religious and non-religious people struggle to communicate. At the heart of this divide is a mutual failure to understand the foundational beliefs and values that drive each other’s perspectives.
Furthermore, I’ve come to recognize how religion is sometimes wielded to remove rights and enforce authority—an act I regard as fundamentally unjust and evil. Through freeing myself from the remnants of imposed beliefs, I have found clarity. This journey released me from the constraints that once bound my identity, paving the way for a deeper appreciation of empathy, understanding, and the inherent dignity of all individuals.
“As the dialogue progresses, the serpent then tells Eve, “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
To understand the concept of Original Sin in Christianity, we must first dive into the foundational narratives found in the Book of Genesis. This narrative introduces the first humans, Adam and Eve, who lived in a paradise-like garden that most people know as the Garden of Eden.
Creation is depicted as a harmonious existence, where humanity is in direct relationship with God. Within this setting, however, lay the seeds of a pivotal act of defiance that would echo throughout the history of Christian theology. The act of defiance that led to Original Sin is vividly illustrated in Genesis 3. In this chapter, the serpent, often interpreted as a representation of temptation or evil, engages Eve in conversation.
“The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, 'Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?'” This question plants the seeds of doubt in Eve's mind about God's intentions and the boundaries He has set.
As the dialogue progresses, the serpent then tells Eve, “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” Here lies the crux of their defiance: Adam and Eve's decision to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents not just an act of physical rebellion but a desire for autonomy, wisdom, and knowledge akin to God's. In essence, they chose to prioritize their curiosity and desire for wisdom over the divine command they were given.
When they consumed the fruit, their eyes were indeed opened, and they became aware of their nakedness, which symbolizes a lost innocence and a newfound vulnerability. “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
This act ultimately results in a cascade of consequences: shame enters their experience, they are cast out of the Garden, and humanity is left to grapple with sin and its repercussions for the rest of eternity. To me, as a child, it felt like a mean trick of someone who knowingly put them in that position to test them, which resulted in a harsher punishment than I thought God-given curiosity deserved.
In Christian theology, baptism is considered a sacred rite through which individuals are physically and spiritually cleansed of sin. It symbolizes the washing away of Original Sin and the initiation into the Christian faith. While practices differ across denominations, the core essence of baptism involves the application of water, accompanied by a formulaic proclamation, such as the invocation of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
The significance of baptism is profound. It represents rebirth or spiritual rejuvenation. The act signifies that, through Christ’s sacrifice, believers can receive forgiveness and the opportunity for salvation. In essence, baptism serves as a declaration of faith, a commitment to follow the teachings of Jesus, and an acknowledgment of the need for grace in overcoming the flawed state of humanity introduced by Original Sin.
One might ponder the paradox of why curiosity—an innate human trait—can lead to sin, especially when God created humanity with such desires for exploration and understanding. This philosophical query invites deep reflection on the nature of free will and the moral dimensions of human choices.
In Christianity, God created human beings with free will—the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil. Curiosity, inherently neutral, can lead to valuable discoveries, stimulating personal and spiritual growth. However, when curiosity drives us to question or defy divine authority, as Adam and Eve did, it can result in choices that stray from the intended path. Original Sin underscores the complexity of the human condition. It suggests that while curiosity is a gift, it must be tempered with wisdom and respect for divine guidance.
The fault of Original Sin lies not in the act of being curious but rather in how Adam and Eve exercised that curiosity against the boundaries set by God. Thus, from a Christian perspective, Original Sin represents a fundamental misunderstanding of trust in God’s design and intentions for humanity, leading to a fracture in the relationship between God and humankind.
In summary, Original Sin and the act of defiance presented in Genesis serve as a foundational story that explores human nature, free will, and the perpetual struggle between following divine guidance and pursuing personal autonomy. It's a narrative that resonates through the ages, inviting individuals to reflect upon their own journeys of faith, choice, and redemption.
