A: “Peace unto you!”
B: “Buddy!”
A: “It’s been a while. How is your mind?”
B: “Not completely gone, I assure you of that. How is yours?”
A: “Mine is less confused than before. A notable improvement, I would say.”
B: “That is enviable. What is the secret you’ve unravelled?”
A: “Enviable? Maybe. Well, I shall tell you what I think might have been the cause. But, remember, when I say it is less confused, to some people, that may still be their deluded definition of madness. What could have been the cause may not be far from personal evaluation and objective intellectual brainstorm with those of the other side, the Christians.”
B: “The other side?”
A: “Oh, yes. It might also interest you that, in my quest for the truth and to satiate my curiosity, I have now begun to go to the mosque. I prayed at the mosque twice yesterday. My religion status is presently undefined. I am neither a Christian nor a Muslim, nor of any religious affiliations at the moment.”
B: “Fascinating. I’m not surprised. While you have decided to explore as many religions as you can to observe and probably assess, I have decided to stay away from every single one of them while carrying out my analytical studies. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?”
A: “No. It sounds sensible, and I applaud it. The reason why I may not be fit to address myself as a Christian is this: My definition of a Christian is one who is Christ-like or thirsts to be. Thus, to me, being a Christian is above mere verbal confession. I hear we now have people called ‘nominal Christians’. That is complete bullshit; you are either a Christian or not. In this context, the noun ‘Christian’ requires no adjectives.”
B: “Absolutely. But do you mean you have no such aspiration to be Christ-like?”
A: “None for now at least. Deep introspection has given me better insights into things. We get to discover more of ourselves as we get lost in ourselves, you recall?”
B: “Of course. So what are your present preoccupations and objectives?”
A: “To look into the essence of religion, whether it’s truly a reconnection to some Divine Being or a means of curtailing the excesses of mankind, maintaining order and sustaining humanity; to evaluate the certitude of the Christian claim and monopolization of the only way to this Divine Being; If the Christian claim is proven to hold water, to someday recourse back to it, with the understanding that my choice of it is not as a result of my environmental leanings or societal sentiments but the knowledge and consciousness of it being convincingly one of the ways to this Divine Being, if there be one.”
B: “Wonderful! Anyway, I am already aware of the existence of divinity and the supernatural. I’m only interested in finding out why a world like this should exist, why a chaotic world devoid of happiness and concern for others should thrive, for I am convinced that, contrary to religious views, we do not have these answers yet. I mean, I once thought we did, but I guess I am now better enlightened…”
***+++***
Okay, let’s stop there. Sorry if you were already enjoying that and wouldn’t want it to end.
But, tell me, what do you think of these two? What are your takes on the matters broached? Could they be alone in their seeming madness?
~~~Omoya
Hey,
I don’t recall having met you but I appreciate your connection and the depth of this discourse.
I have at some points in my life been in one of those two shoes…and I can tell you they are both right in their approaches.
A critical life is one that’s worth living.
Charles, thanks for your contribution. A critical life helps you know you aren’t doing a thing because it’s what everybody does, but that you are doing it because you are convinced of it. I’m on my way to check out your blog.
Hmm, eccentric indeed. Conviction is needed and that’s why many are yet to know what they believe.
Very right, Temmy. Thanks for reading.
Some years back, I got confused. Without being convinced by anybody, I started reading Al-Quran (the Yoruba Version) and Bible every morning I woke up. I was disturbed so much that I had to explain myself to my Chapel mistress. She tried her best but I wasn’t satisfied. But one day, I concluded that I would keep doing what I have been known for and wouldn’t care what the other side was saying….LOL The ‘A’ guy is just like me.