Trip Around the Sun
Visits to 52 Religions in a Year
by
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There was a need for a sabbatical, a need to escape from the Church for a year, and to get one’s bearings.
Too many cruel things were going on in the world, and far too much of it was being supported by popular interpretation of scripture in my own church. I was uncomfortable with much of what is believed, and also with so much of what appears truthful to me that is summarily rejected. There is so very much that we have discovered, supported by the dedicated work of thousands of scientists for far too many years to ignore.
There was no thought that I was about to find something better during the Trip Around the Sun. It was not going to be a search for a new religion. More understanding might come, a wider view, an appreciation for other ways that people think and feel.
I had spent too many years not feeling free to do my own thinking, or more accurately, not feeling free to include that free thinking into the communication at church. Keeping everything to myself was more stilting than I could longer bear.
Free speaking is much discouraged in the Church. I would be interested to know if many others also regard that freedom as a political blessing in our country, but not to be tolerated in the churches. An inspiring talk on speciation by natural selection would not be welcome, for example, no matter how qualified and “worthy” the speaker. There is far too much fear.
I would go to 52 different religions for a cursory look and perhaps some interviews and understanding. I would be critical, but not negative.
52 weeks, approximately, it takes to make one Trip Around the Sun. For more than 50 years now, A birthday to me has been simply, “Just Another Trip Around the Sun.” No big deal, a birthday. We each have, of course, only one real birthday. These days we call “birthdays” are really anniversaries of our births, and from one anniversary to the next is Just Another Trip Around the Sun.
For my birthday (anniversary) several years ago, the company I work with treated me to a fabulous surprise party, which included the following banner.
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About the Book
Chuck Borough is a scientist. The claims of his childhood religion have been frustrating. It has not been hard to see significant advantages among friends and relatives who find it easy to accept these claims. Still, the claims themselves appear entirely unable to bear even the slightest scientific inquiry.
Chuck decided to take a trip around the sun. He would have one full year without the influence of his religion. In 52 weeks, he would visit and inquire during the meetings of 52 other religions, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Atheist, etc… There was no plan for a book. The journal of reports of these visits and his thoughts during the adventure are this book.
About the Author
“Chuck is a good little student, but he is often caught daydreaming.” (Sixth Grade teacher.)
He is a scientist, (physicist,) and for 32 years, he led that life for the United States Navy. 40 years ago, he led a different life, that of a missionary in the wonderful hills of
Managing rocket sled testing, night-vision programs for fast ships, hot air balloon trials of missile seeking systems, he dealt with lasers and infrared systems, explosives at Grand Central Rocket and with virtually every fast ship of the Navy. All these things required a way of thinking not allowed during religious inquiry. There seemed always a need for a “separation of parts.” As missionary, he became ever more convinced that the technical “truths” of the things he taught were highly at question. Still, he was witnessing changes in lives and families that were impossible to fault. He often wondered how “good” and “truth,” when they apparently were not in agreement, could be dealt with.
This year was his, this year away from his church. It was not to be a year without religion, but one free in thought and social interplay with people of many beliefs. He would visit 52 different religious or non-religious organizations in 52 weeks, a Trip Around the Sun. He would ask any question he desired to ask, and make any statement he desired to make, not fettered by expectations of “faith unquestioning.”
If you choose to get into the other seat of that hotrod and take this trip, you will not find the answers; you will find the questions. The adventure has been the most valuable year in his memory.
Chuck has certainly drawn some conclusions for himself, but each one on The Trip Around the Sun will draw his or her own conclusions, and they will not match his.