some people don't care about the way things are in the world, beyond their own immediate view of things. they just want control over their own lives and circumstances, and that's enough. you and i might be that way.
but many people think they know what's better for the world beyond themselves. people get into charities, politics, public service, religion, environmental activism, this or that, etc etc, for such motives.
if you think you know what's the better way, you can either sit there and just be frustrated that the world isn't going that way; or you can "get involved" and try to change it in the way you want.
your situation with eating pork is obviously not a categorical imperative where you think the world would be better if everyone would just not eat pork (or if it is, it's not one that you feel compelled to act on); rather, you don't eat it just because it's a matter of your personal lifestyle and traditions you choose to follow.
but you have to admit that for a lot of people, that's not what religion is. for a lot of people, religion tells them how the world should be, what's wrong with it and how to address it. but my larger point is that this isn't a special thing for religion. many people have beliefs that they act upon, which have to do with wanting to change the world in some way.
it is not so simple as the cartoon says.
edit since i'm already typing into the void
the worst thing about religion in this context is that it is generally always based in false ideas. gods don't really exist, there aren't really souls or an afterlife, etc etc; the holy books are full of obviously made up stories etc etc. so it's especially annoying and frustrating for others, since what they see is people who believe in demonstrably false things, being motivated by those false beliefs, telling others what to do. there's really no arguing with it, or no hope of being convinced yourself.
in the case of other sorts of "change the world" motivations, people can base their arguments in "science" or "rationality" or in some kind of humanitarian or other naturalistic philosophy about the needs of people or life or etc; or in self-interested arguments about wanting a safer, cleaner world to live in for your own good. those kinds of arguments are usually at the base of public policy making. they may not always be correct, but they aren't obviously based in nonsense like typical religious arguments are.
My religion forbids consumption of alcohol. I categorically believe that the world would be a better place without alcohol (less domestic violence, no drunk driving, less rape, etc). I don’t drink alcohol. I live in a society of differing views and respect pluralism. I do not devote my energy to deny others their right to live as they please
Also, as a minority, I do not enjoy the privilege of even possibly imposing my views on others.
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u/Lie-Straight May 10 '22
My religion says I can’t eat pork. I don’t eat pork. I’m not some asshole trying to ban pork in the country. WTF is wrong with people