|
Reality as a Religious Identity |
The Church of Reality is different in that we are not dedicated to a fictional world view. Our world view is to see reality the way it really is. Other religions' world views are based on mythology. All religions have some basis in reality. Most would agree that murder is bad. On those universal concepts we in the Church of Reality agree. But in those other religions, if their world view contradicts reality, they are expected to reject reality in favor of their world view. Rarely are other religions dedicated to the pursuit of reality the way it really is. In this church, if you come to realize that what you currently believe is wrong, you are expected to change your mind. That's what's different about the Church of Reality. The beliefs are not static. Reality is a learning process. We are an evolving religion. Of all the religious choices out there, we believe that Reality should be one of those choices.
The Church of Reality does not own Reality. Although our purpose is to seek reality, there are lots of other people and groups who seek reality but are not members of this church. Some people resent the idea that reality is a form of religion, and they are right about that. Our religion is based on striving to find reality, and making the pursuit of reality an alternative to dogma-based religion, not redefining reality itself as a religion. Not all realists are members of the Church of Reality. And all members of the Church of Reality are not necessarily realists. It is our hope that members are sincere, but realistically, all we can do is try.
The Church of Reality gives Realists a religious identity and gives Atheists the same religious rights and priveleges as Theists.
The Church of Reality is an alternative religion for those who are dedicated to seeing the world the way it really is. It allows us to have a religious identity and a name for our belief system in order to identify ourselves in a religious context. When we are asked "What religion are you?" we can respond that we are Realists, that we believe in what is real. It gives those seeking a religion an alternative to dogmatic beliefs that have no commitment to reality. It allows us to organize and associate in order to argue about knowledge, to explore the universe with our minds, and to expand our knowledge of the way things are. It allows us to separate what's real from what isn't, and to examine our world view to determine if what we believe is really true. |
