By Lauren Pincente

As a child, I was always taught that there are two things never to discuss at a dinner party: politics and religion. After a sixth grade run-in with a classmate about the then-premier of Ontario, Mike Harris, it became clear that keeping political views to yourself is done strictly for protection from confrontation. When it comes to religion, an entirely separate entity, people can be brutal. So what happens when the dichotomy is no longer split and religion becomes about politics? Is shielding the discussions of religion, politics or a mix of the two causing passivity? If so, is this why religion has become a joke?

I recently announced to my friends that I, a born and raised Catholic turned Atheist, was looking into studying the practices of Buddhism. My friends laughed off the matter, dubbing it another of my phases. When I built a shrine, common to the ancient tradition, they thought I was weird (for the record, the shrine is not a Pagan practice, despite what my friends say). When I showed another, she actually called me crazy. Religion has been reduced to an embarassment for people: Scientology teachings are like reading a bad sci-fi novel; Buddhism is for hippie west coasters; and Christianity is for southern hypocrites. These stereotypes are all that religion has become to so many. Combine this with the constant trendy flip-flopping of celebrity beliefs (I’d hate to say it but Madonna’s sudden interest in Kabbalah does influence us), it becomes plain to see that religion has become a laughing matter and very few are taking it seriously.

To gain some insight into the loss of religious beliefs that seem to be the mark of this generation of youngsters as the revival of bell-bottoms was for mine, I asked around and discovered a general consensus—religion just isn’t cool. Put Jesus on as many Urban Outfitter shirts as can be made, tie Keffiyehs around as many necks that are cold and slap red Kabbalah bracelets around as many willing wrists but religion itself-- the sacred, worshipping kind—will still not be cool. Not to mention that the youth of today seem to be very disturbed by the notion of organized religion, often writing it off as “cult-like” and a “tool of distraction.” (One friend, Liberal but by no means a Marxist, mentioned a Karl Marx quote, “Religion is the opiate for the masses.”) It is as if the distrust of authority that grew out of the 70s has returned this time in an anti-religious format, only now the youth culture does not trust in a God.

The reality of the matter is that discussions on religion and the politics of religion can get convoluted, messy and offensive. Religion, at this point in time, is out of style because people feel they have other things to cling to that can satisfy them to the same degree or moreso. Whether it’s excessive consumerism, better communication with family and friends or simply the emphasis we now have on New Age methods of self-reflection and pampering, it is quite clear that we have created a culture of disbelief. Questioning everything around us, whether to the point of atheism, agnosticism or belief, has created friction amongst many religions. It has all just become so messy and political that we do not really know what to believe.

Does this mean that we are in denial then? Are we so mixed up and turned around with the religious smorgasbord being offered before us that we would rather close our eyes and turn our heads from any associations with it? It seems that the confusion and indecisiveness, not to mention the inconstancy of many religious organizations that fail to practice what they preach, has led many people to abandon not just their religious beliefs but belief altogether. The politics of religion—the back and forth between “rival” communities, wars over religious power and criticisms about everything surrounding the topic—have led people to passivity. It seems the underlying statement being made is really another one of the big questions we will never know the answer to: Why put yourself in the line of fire, especially for a God that is failing the world?

It takes real strength and true conviction (not to mention extreme dedication to one’s religion of choice) to defend religion when that sort of question is pitted against you. It seems most of us are not up to the challenge; we want to live our lives peacefully and without conflict. But is this even possible without religion to guide us?

The topic of religion is a circular one. In the search for answers, we end up with more questions. It seems safe to say, though, that religion has become a comedic purpose for the greater population. It is rare to find someone willing to admit nowadays, “I am religious.” Even I am embarassed to discuss my newfound spirituality with strangers who I will never speak to again for fear of being laughed at—an embarassment that is in strict contrast to Buddhist beliefs. Instead of risking putting ourselves and our beliefs out there, we mask them behind jokes or passivity. Rather than sit in a church pew or meditate by a shrine, we try not to think about how far we have segregated ourselves from religion in order for social acceptance. Instead, we go out to shop with friends or watch a movie at the local theatre. Economics and the culture industry are the dominant religions, encouraging us to purchase shirts that say, “Jesus is my Homeboy.”

It is easier to joke about religion than risk being ostracized or branded a “crazy Bible thumper.” The negative connotations that are attached to religious people lead us to believe that religion is uncool which may account for why we have all lost the faith. It has become cool to wear Jesus on your shirt if it is marketed as so but it is uncool to admit you actually believe in his existence. If that’s not a joke, then what is?