Thanks for the Tall Cold One Prof

The Bhagavad Gita was by far my favorite text to have read in our class so far, partly because of my own, agnostic stance on religion. Opening the Bhagavad Gita with an open mind, its non-exclusive teaching deeply impressed me.

I found the proselytizing and condescension of the Baptist Christians in Boerne, Texas insulting. At times, I appreciated their concern for me, but often, their attempts to convert me only revealed arrogance and narrow-mindedness. My uncomfortable experience with southern Baptists peaked when I attempted to express my frustration with the community’s proselytizing. I wrote an article for the Boerne High School newspaper expressing my doubt of the constitutionality and education value of Baptist youth ministers on campus, especially when there was no representation of any other religion. The school administration heavily censored my article and even made their own additions, completely twisting the central message before printing it under my name without my consent.

This experience, as one of many, induced my deep cynicism of organized religion. Understanding that the Boerne Southern Baptists do not by any means represent Christianity, I did not completely dismiss its teachings.
As Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.” This statement sums up my stance on Christianity. Since my experience in Boerne, I have pursued my religious education alone, comparing the compatibility of several world religions with my own values.


The friends I made at Boerne High School were among the few tolerant, open-minded people who developed their own individual interests and beliefs, whether or not they paralleled that of the community.


Reading Gandhi's teachings provided some solace in my troubles at BHS. The overwhelming religious majority in Boerne created a deceptive bubble. I realized that I was one of many who found fault with their ideas.
(http://livinginmyownworld.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/gandhi-animals.jpg)

My religious (or irreligious) background, as one who has experienced several religions well prepared me for the Bhagavad Gita. To my delight, the text reflected many of my own opinions regarding organized religion. Never before have I read a religious text that so closely evoked an understanding of my frustration with many religion’s teachings.

“Consulting only their desires, they construct their own heaven, devising arduous and complex rites to secure their own pleasure and their own power; and the only result is rebirth.” (17)

Instead of stressing the importance of certain behaviors that have generated so many frivolous religious traditions, the Gita teaches a more basic, fundamental path to achieving Nirvana. Krishna describes two paths, named action and wisdom, and each emphasize achieving deep contentment within one’s Self, who fundamentally is Krishna.

“When the mind, completely controlled, is centered in the Self and free from all earthly desires, then is a person truly spiritual.” (51)

I appreciate Ryan’s statement, “…but I would prefer not to play battleship with my life,” in his search for the answers to his spiritual questions within himself. Often, I believe those involved in many organized religions succumb to their leaders’ pressures to take part in certain rites and rituals as false means to achieve some kind of salvation. Again, I was pleasantly surprised to find my own sentiment reiterated in Bhagavad Gita.

“As a man can drink water from any side of a full tank, so the skilled theologian can wrest from any scripture that which will serve his purpose.” (19)

In this way, organized religious has become a political battlefield, of which many followers are now the pawns, or “battleships” of Ryan’s metaphor. Nor do I want to be a battleship, Ryan.