There is a Metaphysical Elephant in the Room!

Okay, so sometimes I’m a little slower than at others. All the signs were there. I should’ve seen it earlier but just didn’t catch it until now. There is a giant metaphysical elephant in the room that is keeping us from seeing eye-to-eye.

I know, I was dull, but the reasons for our differences finally became apparent to me. It is because we have two completely different metaphysical worldviews that are determining our ideas about religion and worship. Yours comes from metaphysical naturalism, mine from metaphysical Christianity. This became obvious as I read your statements, “That can apply to things that are totally secular and not at all religious” and “When I eat breakfast in the morning, I’m not doing it to worship a non-existent god of secular humanism; I’m doing it because I’m hungry”. Both of these statements are worldview concepts that differ fundamentally from mine. I believe, “Whatever is not of faith is sin” and “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” We probably couldn’t be more distinct in these basic ideas.

Now it is obvious to us that that is no self-evident invariant neutral definitions of “religion” and “worship” but that their definitions are subject to an individual’s worldview, just as the interpretation of every fact of nature (creation) is subject to the interpreter’s worldview. So it only makes sense, since you are a naturalist, that you be consistent with your naturalist metaphysic and make distinctions between secular actions and religious actions. It makes just as much sense that I, being a Christian, remain consistent with my Christian worldview and hold that there are no activities that lay beyond the scope of one’s duty unto God (therefore all actions are ultimately religiously motivated).

The problem arose when we were asking one another to become inconsistent with his metaphysical beliefs by defining religion in a way that is incompatible with that worldview. All of this is to say that it appears as if we need to take a step back and discuss one another’s basic metaphysical views prior to coming to definitions about such things as “religion” and “worship”.

That being said, I think this discussion will continue to be profitable in the fact that we can attempt to keep one another consistent in his own worldview and definitions. Plus, I am very interested in finding out a further explanation of your belief. I am interested because of your statement, “So acts that are distinct in having the intent of serving some kinda god are worship, and as such are part of religion.” Are you saying that you would not include Creationism or a Christian worldview as being religion then? The fact that I would see mathematics as a creation of God, governed by God and given meaning and purpose by God would not then be a religious view because it is not inclusive of religious devotion at these points. These are beliefs about existence and reality that are not necessarily inclusive of worship. One can hold them without worshipping the God who he believes does all of this. So is that then not religious? I would’ve thought you would include these things, but now I’m not sure so I’m just looking for further clarification.

Anyway, I have waxed on for far too long. I look forward to hearing from you and hearing if you think its worthy to “digress” into our metaphysical axioms.
Be well and happy my friend!