Perfection: a non-existent proposition.

I wrote a very recent status post on my Facebook page which has made me think about how religious people claim their particular holy deity is "perfect".  Now, I am no theologian or philosopher but I do have a few thoughts on the idea of perfection.

First of all, I think perfection is impossible.  Even so much as for the basic concept that to call something "perfect", we must have something dichotomous that "isn't perfect" with which to define what perfection is.  Perfection implies something that has no flaws whatsoever.  How does one go about deciding that something is a flaw?  In most Christian communities, to live a "perfect" life is to live the life that Jesus (if he ever existed at all) led.  Yet, differing Christian sects disagree on very basic information about the life of their "savior" and what he taught. 

In our daily lives, we are bombarded with what advertisers want us to perceive as the perfect diet, the perfect physique, etc.  Sometimes they aren't far off.  Science has shown that people that excerise regularly and follow a proper diet have longer life capacities.  Yet, even the most athletic and healthy person can't avoid death altogether.  I think this is why that when most people define something that is "perfect" it has the attribute of eternal existence.  How many times have you seen products that promise to make you stronger, live longer, and become happier?   How many times have you heard Christians say that God is perfect and eternal?

Religion promises all of these things, but it comes with a catch.  In most cases, especially with religion, the idea is to capture the essence of the fears and insecurities people have and capitalize on them.  As I've heard quoted from a few atheists: "Religion tells you you've been doing something wrong and then offers you the cure."  It's like those informercials at 3 in the morning that try to tell you you're out of shape and need to buy their exercise machine to get the perfect body.  How can you tell that the machine will really give you a perfect body?  How do you know religion will make you a better person?

Perfect has never existed.  Religion is not perfect or else God would have created everything perfect from the beginning.  Perfection is one of those things that truly is relative.  This is why I try to live a life based on analyzing the evidence and using science as a major tool to inform by beliefsThe scientific method has never preyed on my fears and insecurities.  Science has never told me that I am living the wrong way (it does suggest ways to extend my time here on Earth though)  Why would I want to live in a perfect way?  Because I can guarantee that I'd fail.  Without failure, there is no improvement.  With no improvement you can't define perfection.  I will keep on failing and I will keep on improving on my own terms.  This is a big reason why I am a freethinker.