I think religion is a concept that has been abused and transformed into a tool of judgment and manipulation. The main aspect about religion that I don’t like is there are so many of them; most of them claiming to be the only true way of being spiritual and having a link with “God.”
One of my favorite Comedians, George Carlin, mentions the fact that more lives have been lost fighting in the name of the “Lord” than you think. I consider religion organized spirituality. I consider spirituality a source of positivity and enlightenment. My method of thinking makes me wonder my so many lives end over the concept that eventually leads to a source of positivity and enlightenment? I can find so much other shit to fight about.
Keep in mind that I am not anti-religion. However, I am an avid believer that everything should be questioned, investigated, and investigated again. I think a lot of people believe in what they believe in because it’s all they know and it’s all they have been exposed to. They never explored anything else therefore anything else isn’t possible. My skepticism towards “organized spirituality” came right when I started school.
To this day I don’t understand why my parents enrolled me in a private Christian School, not that I have anything against private Christian Schools, that’s unlike something they would do nowadays. During class, I would often ask questions such as: “If the Flintstone’s took place before Christ, then why did they have a Christmas special?” and “Why doesn’t the Bible talk about the Dinosaurs in the book of Genesis?” I was kicked out of that school in the middle of my 2nd grade year, not because of the questions I asked, but because the principal was full of shit. Afterwards, I had a nasty taste in my mouth about Christianity…at the age of seven.
Years afterwards I noticed that the most judgment people I would encounter were Christian. I had a Jewish high school sweetheart and she reminded me that we couldn’t get married unless I converted (huh? Religion outweighs love?). I often asked Mormons why they didn’t allow Black People in their churches up until the 70’s. September 11, 2001 Muslims killed thousands of people, including themselves, in the name of “Allah.” No Agnostic person told me I was going to hell. No Atheist has ever told me that I was wrong for believing in what I believed in.
Why there isn’t a religion out there whose mantra is: Enjoy the life you have been given and don’t screw up anyone else’s? Can’t People can be different from you and still be good people? Doesn’t it piss you off when bad people get enjoy success? Doesn’t it piss you off when unfortunate things happen to good hearted people? I like to see bad things happen to bad people. I love to see good things happen to good people. You Reap what you sow…sounds a whole lot like Karma doesn’t it?
4 comments:
just a little information for you...I will comment more in depth later :-)
Although we alter the spelling of behemoth and Leviathan slightly, we still use those same words in bibles today. However, tanniyn is always translated into another word when we write it in English. Tanniyn occurs 28 times in the Bible and is normally translated “dragon.” It is also translated “serpent,” “sea monster,” “dinosaur,” “great creature,” and “reptile.” Behemoth and Leviathan are relatively specific creatures, perhaps each was a single kind of animal. Tanniyn is a more general term, and it can be thought of as the original version of the word “dinosaur.” The word “dinosaur” was originally coined in 1841, more than three thousand years after the Bible first referred to “Tanniyn.” To make things clearer, we constructed the following table comparing the scientific names with the Biblical names tanniyn, behemoth, and Leviathan.
Ok, so...now you know that "dinosaurs" are in the bible, they just had a different name. Also, I'm really sorry to hear that the most judgmental people you've encountered were Christians. I hear that a lot. As you may know, I am a "Christian". Not because I go to church or I talk about God's word all day long, but because I truly believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross. I've talked to Him, walked with Him and have trusted Him to lead my life. But that's me. I really wish more Christians would listen to the part in the bible that says not to judge other people...they will be judged when their time comes.
I have often wondered why there were so many religions too. They all claim to basically do the same thing. Some beliefs or practices may vary (slightly) but the bottom line is usually the same. Is it the same God? Or are there different "god's" for each religion? If they're the same then why do we argue about who's religion is better? If they're different then we really won't know the answer until we're dead. I guess we won't know until then anyways.
My Second grade teacher didn't answer my dinosaur question and referred me to the principal. He answered the Dinosaur question (not as in depth as your explanation) but then urged me not to disrupt classes with questions like that. As a second grader, I had no clue what he was talking about and afterwards I was hesitant to ask questions. You can't learn much when you don't ask questions.
In a nutshell, I honestly think Religion is a double edge sword. When it is used for bad, people get killed, judged, and alienated. When it is used for good, homeless people get fed, hearts are open, and optimism prevails.
I love your point of view though Crys. You have strong faith for what you believe in and you don't pass judgment on people who feel differently.
Do you know off a woman by the name of Shirley Phelps? When I reference "Word of Mouth" religious people in a future Kronicle, I want you to imagine her. She gives Christians a bad name.
I'll have to look her up online. I do agree with you that it is a double-edged sword. Dave and I stopped going to church because of the hypocrisy. Plus, there's too many politics involved in church. I like to go to church to learn about Jesus and to fellowship. But, a lot of people at church seem to be more interested in their own personal agendas rather than God's agenda. Sure they preach about it, but they don't actually follow it when it comes down to it.
But on the other hand, I do feel a a great deal of love, relief and faith after hearing a good sermon, or attending a church function. And there are some, like my first in-laws, who are always there for me and help keep me humble. They're good examples of how a follower of Christ should act.
Post a Comment