Jun 27, 2007
I have been doing so many weddings this year and really enjoying the rich symbolism of Christian marriage. Then I thought to myself the other day: what could a thoroughly consistent, 100% naturalistic, Darwinian wedding service sound like? So I figured I would humor myself and have a little fun.
The high priest of unbelief, the Right Reverend Richard Dawkins presiding of course. You may be seated.
Specialized hominids, we are gathered here today to observe a socially evolved meme of pair bonding among of our species. The years of mutation and selection have given us the general wisdom that pair-bonded members of our clans represent a successful evolutionary social adaptation for the rearing of our progeny.
Our selfish genes move us to appreciate these occasions as we feel the safety coming from young offspring which will care for us and protect us from predators in our old age.
Even though we now deny the wisdom of eons of evolution that taught us that monogamous pair-bonding is the best way, we now know that we do not need such arrangements in our enlightened age. We should do away with this oppressive institution (which evolutionary ethics developed as good) and reinvent a better way with our own individual wisdom.
In fact, if mates of the same sex desire to pair-bond, we affirm this fully - for the evolved consensus of prior ethics must be wrong. A less adaptable meme which must die. We love to base our cherished institutions on evolutionary ethical theory - but then again we can reject them any time we want.
In fact, I'm not really sure what we are here for, but these two hominids desire to participate in this antiquated social arrangement. So we are happy and we celebrate this with them. May they be happy and be fruitful and multiply fit progeny - but only if they want to, and if it doesn't take too many resources from their lifestyle, and if we all agree we are not overpopulating the planet. On second thought, they better not breed.
So I suppose we have an occasion today to have a party and our genes desire it - perhaps it will lead to more pair-bonding - who knows why, but we can do this again until we lose the will to exist. Then we will allow the religious meme to dominant once again - for those mastered by this persistent idea have many more offspring than we.
What our genes have deemed for today, let no one separate - in the name of quantum fluctuations, spontaneous generation, and self-replicating systems, Amen.
The newly bonded couple now invites you to their open bar to get really drunk with them. Thank you for coming.
Personally, I still think the beauty of Christian marriage is much more inspiring...
Comments
It's a joke, right? But its still a straw man!
Richard Dawkins' writings have inspired a lot of people and his passage in Unweaving the Rainbow (which he wants read at his funeral) has I am sure been read at many funerals.
I haven't thought too much about weddings (showing my age perhaps) but I have about funerals. Over the years I have attended many. I feel that the Christian funerals were impersonal, going on about religion and no sincere reference to the deceased. I have noticed an increasing trend to incorporate speeches, statements, etc., from family and friends - to me they have been the moving and respectful part (religion the disrespectful part in effect).
The last funeral I attended was for a nephew, a young disabled man who in his 39 years provided a great example of attitude to life and acheived a lot despite his disability. There was no religious content, no prayers, hymns, bible readings. Instead we had his favourite music Pink Floyd (Crazy Diamond was so appropriate) reminiscences from his family, friends, and associates from his community. To me it was the most inspiring and respectful funeral I have yet attended.
Posted by: Ken | June 27, 2007 09:37 PM
Ken,
Of course it is a joke - nothing but sarcasm. I think what you advocate for funerals - personal remembrances, speeches, etc are great. Of course someone hearing the gospel oriented aspects of Christian funerals will react in one or two directions - either receptivity, or disdain. This is expected.
Remember how our worldviews weigh into our judgments of such things. A funeral without pointing to God, his grace, coming judgment would fall short. For you, not doing things the way the deceased would want it would fall short. I understand this.
My questions, both personal, philosophical and existential turn on much deeper ground than enjoyment of the ceremony. What are we here for? What happens when we die? Why is this world so broken? Is there a salvation coming?
I know the answers to these from a secular view - I was raised with a naturalistic worldview, and became a Christian at 20 while studying Physics at one of the best universities in America.
Whether or not we can craft a meaningful experience from all sorts of worldviews is not the question. Whether the consistent, logical outworkings of that worldview provide the meaning we desire is quite another. Many times we steal from one system without knowing it (a meme perhaps - smile). From a consistent naturalism, marriage makes no sense - sex, reproduction does - but not marriage. It just is not needed.
My sarcasm was aiming there...perhaps I did a poor job. If you found it in bad taste, I am sorry I failed you. I was hoping bother believer and unbeliever alike would get a good chuckle. And perhaps think more about the passages of our lives.
Blessings
Reid
Posted by: Reid Monaghan | June 27, 2007 09:51 PM
Funny!
Posted by: Sandy | June 28, 2007 11:31 AM
I've been thinking about this meme. Or maybe the meme is thinking about me, but anyway, if accd to dawkins this is a virus, it's a very good one...
keeps me clean & off drugs
makes me love my wife and kids
enables me to enjoy science AND God
shows me how to forgive and love people
and I have it on good report it will enable me to live forever.
Not a bad virus!
Posted by: Sandy | June 28, 2007 03:09 PM
Sandy - could not agree more. Pascal would agree - what do you lose?
You lose your autonomous, I can stand upon my own reason, line - which if the gospel is true - you just loose your sin and rebellion.
Plus, we have lived the other narrative...and it ain't good.
Posted by: Reid Monaghan | June 28, 2007 03:22 PM
Very well done. I did assembly line weddings at a Smoky Mountain Wedding Chapel for a year (27 in one day 01/01/2000). There are many folks that I did ceremonies for that would have prefered this version...but instead they all got a dose of the Gospel, the joy and love of Christ, and God's purpose in marital covenant(that's why I did it). Great brain power brother. Write on!
Posted by: randy hurst | July 6, 2007 09:09 PM
Randy - thanks brother - this one was enjoyable to write. I appreciate the encouragement.
Posted by: Reid Monaghan | July 7, 2007 08:32 AM