Faith of a freethinker

In describing my religious views I use freethinker for want of something better, although I stretch the seams of my conscience even using that term. I am also uncomfortable with words like agnostic, atheist, humanist, and such because they seem narrow and reductive. I don’t believe that we as a species know enough to address the existence or nature of a supreme being, much less to hew to the specific beliefs of any religious group — or even to deny that a supreme being exists. Nevertheless, I consider myself a man of faith, and there are universal principles that I follow and that reflect that faith.

For many people, their religious views are shaped by their family. In my case, it was my mother who influenced my thinking about religion. She is closing in on 100 and is a wise woman despite increasing problems with her memory. I think that she would identify herself as a Christian, not so much out of a strong belief about Jesus but because Christianity was the common faith in her hardscrabble rural Oklahoma upbringing and remains a dominant current in the culture there today.

My family did not attend church as I was growing up, but when I was about ten my mother took my religious education in hand. First we went to the library where she helped me find some books on religion to read. Then she took me to a church so I could attend Sunday school. She later told me that she chose that particular church because she felt it was more religiously liberal and accepting than the other protestant churches with which she was familiar in 1950s Oklahoma. Later, when I was in high school I began to explore other faiths on my own, attending services at churches of several denominations, protestant and Catholic, and even a synagogue, occasionally taking friends with me.

Although she is a believer of sorts, my mom has always been quick to disparage oily sanctimoniousness and religious hypocrisy which she sees as all too common. She has an ecumenical outlook, saying often that, “the same God is in every church.” I think those are wise words, but my concept of faith focuses on individuals rather than sectarian institutions. I believe that there is something holy in every person whether or not that person identifies with a particular sect. The holiness that I speak of is manifested as politeness, kindness, humility, and having a sense of responsibility toward others. More simply phrased, holiness means consciously trying to do “good” in interacting with other people.

I also believe that there is good in every person, recognizing at the same time that no one is perfect and that some people do truly bad things. Further, I believe that each person is deserving of being treated with dignity irrespective of his or her actions. Even convicted killers deserve this. Doing good and treating others with kindness and dignity are universal concepts that cut across sectarian boundaries. As far as I know, the Golden Rule of treating others as you want to be treated is a tenet of every religious sect.

The Golden Rule, however, is a universal maxim for individuals not organizations. A member of a religious group might be hesitant to voice opinions that differ from those espoused by the denomination or especially a congregation. As a freethinker, I don’t feel the obligation of conformity to any religious group as I try — often with mixed success — to do good and live rightfully. I don’t need a denominational creed. I don’t need texts to be interpreted by clergy. I need only my own conscience.

Tucson faith leaders, we would like to include your original sermon or scriptures of encouragement. Sermons must be written by the person submitting them, not borrowed from another source or writer. If you are a faith leader from any religion or denomination, please contact Sara Brown at sbbrown@tucson.com.