Maintaining a portfolio of irrational beliefs is no project for the work-shy. What began as a “simple belief, sincerely held” is now a multiplicity of moving parts, which exhibit not just complexity, but needless complexity. The righteous create complexity when it’s not required, and disclaim transparency where it’s most needed. While science demands explanation, religion tolerates – even celebrates – mystery, with true believers relishing ineffable experiences which resist explanation. They devise problems which can never be solved, riddles which can never be deciphered, and antagonisms which can never be concluded. True believers relish the contradictions, the ambiguities, the enigmas and the opportunities they present to by-pass the rigours of rationality. “God”, according to 1 Corinthians 14:33, “is not the author of confusion”, yet only in a dim light can complexity be mistaken for profundity.
Rendering a belief system ever more complicated is a diversionary tactic, distracting their followers’ attention from more material misgivings. My theory – make of it what you will – is that the human representatives of many religions are content for theological debates to continue. As long as Christians are trying to decipher religious riddles – like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin – they may fail to notice the even greater absurdities which shore up their faith. As long as they are arguing about the exact nature of heaven, and what they must or must not do to ensure a warm and uncritical welcome from St Peter, they are making the casual assumption that life does indeed continue beyond the grave.
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