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What the Church of Reality is Not |
To avoid confusion and misconceptions, here is a list of things that the Church of Reality is not. Sometimes a religion can better clarify what it is by stating what it isn't. We are like other religions in many ways and in many ways we are not like other religions. Here is a list of what we are not.
- We don't Worship Anything - If you want to worship something it's up to you. But this church is about reality, not about God. We are not theists. However, if God comes out of hiding and shows itself in objective reality then we will believe in it. This church is based in reality and not for the purpose of worship. However, using some of the dictionary terms for the word "worship" it might be said that we worship truth, reality, and the Tree of Knowledge. Communion in the Church of Reality is ordering a pizza together.
- No Salvation - If you want to get saved, go to a church that offers that service. In the Church of Reality "being saved" means having a good backup of your computer data. The only known afterlife in the Church of Reality is the ideas you leave behind that are worth remembering.
- Nothing Supernatural - We don't believe in the supernatural. There are things we can't explain because we don't know all the answers. But we do believe that explanations do exist and our purpose is to use science and figure it out. If something is outside of reality, then it's not real.
- No Rituals - We don't throw virgins into volcanoes. We don't baptize anyone. We don't speak in tongues. We are suspicious, however, of people who aren't into Star Trek.
- No Dogma - We have no "holy book" or "holy web site" that contains any list of things that you are expected to believe in. You are not required to accept anything on "faith." The Church of Reality is a Doubt-Based Religion. We believe in the Principle of Bullshit, that bullshit is bullshit, no matter how many people believe it.
- Not Morally Superior - We don't look down our noses at the rest of the world. This planet is but a speck of dust in a galaxy of billions of stars in a universe of billions of galaxies. We exist for an instant of time. How important can we be? We are not morally superior to you, and you are not morally superior to us.
- We're not out to Destroy Religion - This is an alternative to other religions for some people. It is not an alternative for everyone. If you're happy with your beliefs then we're happy for you. The world would be boring if everyone believed the same thing. This religion fills a gap to serve those who are into reality. Reality isn't for everyone. Religion will stand or fall on it's own merits. We are here to help other religions evolve in a positive direction by bringing reality into the religious discussion.
- We are not a Cult - We are strongly individualistic. We encourage people to disagree and to argue their point. Our mission is to inspire people to think. We are not followers. We are Explorers.
- We are not a Scam - This is a real religion with a real doctrine. This is not a get rich quick scam. We are not here to trick you out of your money by promising you rewards in the next life. This isn't a front for a clever tax dodge. We are not a religion dreamed up to find suckers. The Church of Reality is not organized around money,
- We don't think for you - We are not a religion that is going to tell you what to think. We require that you do your own thinking. We are not followers, we are Explorers. We don't tell you what reality is. We invite you to join us in helping all of us grow our knowledge of reality together.
- We don't control your life - We are a highly individualistic church that believes strongly in individuality and personal freedom.
- We are not a Political Organization - The Church of Reality is a religion, not a political movement. Individually, however, we are very political and members are encouraged to participate in politics and government in the interest of creating a better world. But as a church, we endorse no candidates or affiliate ourselves with any political parties. Members of the Church of Reality are required to come to their own conclusions as to who to vote for. We do, however, strongly encourage voting.
- We are not a Science Foundation - Although our religion is science-based and we have a religious commitment to science, the Church of Reality itself is not a science organization. We don't determine and declare what is real and what is scientific fact. That is the job of science. Our job is promoting a religious commitment to the scientific process and helping to build a world where science can thrive.
- We don't pass out Credentials - If you are looking to pay $25 to become a minister in the Church of Reality you are looking in the wrong place. The Universal Life Church sells ministries in a box. If you want to become a mail order preacher, they can fix you up.
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