Cat's Cradle- The Cult of Foma

        

Nothing in This Blog is True    

  Basic Bokononism:

• Based on foma, which are harmless untruths.
• If used correctly, in fact, foma can be useful and beneficial to society.
• Lies comprise the religious foundation of Bokononism.
• One who believes and adheres to these lies will have peace of mind and a good life.
• The main creed of Bokononism is be a good person.

                I am proud to declare that I am a Bokononist. When one asks how can I adhere to a religion based on lies, I respond with: “Doesn’t everyone live their life according to lies in some shape or form?”. To trace my logic I will first detail the ideology which forms my world view. I believe religion is that which gives life meaning. It could be God or science; Bokonon or Ice-9. Anything that informs one’s values and perception is religion. I believe relationships are the foundation of my personal world view. Every interaction I have with someone will slightly change the way I see reality. These relationships, be them fleeting or forever, are an important part of my religion.

                Bokononism is based on harmless fomas. Relationships, too, are based on lies to a certain extent. Whether these lies are knowingly invented or innocently overlooked is meaningless because all relationships are based on subjective experiences. This veil of subjectivity brings with it a communication gap too immense to bridge. Thus any conversation I have with another human being will be interpreted in a different way than I intended. Since it is not what I meant, it is an untruth. Foma is innately at the heart of all relationships. Since my religion is based on relationships, which are based on foma, I am clearly a Bokonist. And in the end, what really matters besides doing good unto others?