Halos and More

I’m sorry, but I just can’t let this pass without comment.

So Brad Pitt thinks religion is all about ego, does he? Brad Pitt. Brad-I’m-the-sexiest-man-alive-which-gives-me- the-right-to-do-whatever-I-darn-well-please-Pitt thinks religion is about ego.

Wow. Let’s have a look at what Brad says and see where he falls apart, shall we? All quotes are from the msn link above.

1. Brad told Parade magazine: “I didn’t understand this idea of a God who says, ‘You have to acknowledge me. You have to say that I’m the best, and then I’ll give you eternal happiness. It seemed to be about ego. I can’t see God operating from ego, so it made no sense to me.”

Okay, Brad. Obviously you weren’t paying attention in Sunday School there. I’d like you to find me the place where any church’s catechism, or the Bible for that matter, says that religion is some sort of bargain between man and God where man strokes God’s ego in exchange for eternal “happiness.” He’s right about one thing, though: that concept of religion makes no sense to me, either.

Religion isn’t a bargain. If anything, you could say it’s a bargain of faith: God says I’ll forgive you if you let me, and you say okay. Period. Of course in the long run we hope to find happiness, but I don’t think you can say any religion, let alone Christianity, is about finding happiness on earth. In fact, Christianity out and out promises that your life will be more difficult if you embrace it.

Sorry, Brad: I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing.

2. “When I got untethered from the comfort of religion, it wasn’t a loss of faith for me, it was a discovery of self.”

Untethered from the comfort of religion? I think you’ve got the makings of a writer there.

So on the one hand we have a God who demands everyone tell him he’s the best, and on the other we’ve got religion as a comfort. Not to mention how much I LOVE it when people ramble about the “discovery of self.” Apparently there was an arrogant atheist hiding inside all along!

3. The 43-year-old actor also revealed he finds it insulting that people think it was girlfriend Angelina Jolie who introduced him to charity work.

Brad – who founded his own organisation to rebuild homes for victims of the New Orleans disaster – said:

“I do it because I’m a member of the human race. In Africa you see people on the street dying from AIDS, children left without parents. We’re all cells of one body, with the same emotions and desires for our families – for a little dignity and a chance for a better life.”

We’re all cells of one body, huh? I wonder if he even realizes he stole that nearly word-for-word from the Bible.

Here’s a thought: if Brad Pitt is so altruistic, why not donate half his earnings to charity? I mean, think about how much the man makes. He could give away half easily and still have more than most people would know what to do with. I don’t want to minimize anyone’s efforts to help others — kudos to him for what he does do — but if you’re going to go on and on about “a chance for a better life,” it helps if you don’t do it from your Hollywood mansion.

And DON’T get me going on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Why does everyone think these two are such a perfect couple? Have we forgotten that Pitt cheated on his wife with Jolie? Or are we conveniently overlooking that because “they’re so darn CUTE together?” Then again, maybe they are the perfect couple. They’re both attractive, talented people who figure those two traits make them better than the rest of humanity. And of course it doesn’t hurt that they’re rich.

3. “I believe in the founding principles of America. I want to fight for that. I know most Americans feel the same way.”

I’m so glad Americans have Brad Pitt to tell them how they feel. How else would they know?

And I hate to tell you this, Brad, but America was founded on Christian principles. I guess that means you’re working from a basis of ego.

4. “Whoever said all men are born equal never left his own backyard. I see people everywhere without opportunity. I want to help level the playing field.”

Actually, the point of saying all men are born equal is that everyone deserves the same dignity and respect as everyone else. It’s the way we treat each other that takes away that God-given equality… but I don’t expect Brad Pitt to understand that. He has talent, charm, and wealth; he doesn’t need brains.

And if he really wants to level the playing field, I refer him back to my earlier suggestion. Half your wealth, Brad. Still leaves you with more than I’ll ever see, and think of all the good you could do. That would be leveling the field. Until then, don’t ramble on to me about how altruistic and charitable you are. Remember the story in the Bible (except that’s all about ego!) where the woman gives her last silver coin and is held higher in the eyes of Heaven than the rich man who gave ten times that much? Or the bit about how people who do good works just to receive earthly praise aren’t acting from altruism but pride?

Hmm… come to think of it, maybe Pitt’s aversion to religion makes sense after all.

Cheers,
Caryn