My thoughts on a delicate subject...(updated)
Religion, such a harsh topic that makes the most civilize conversation end in an argument, but I want to put my thoughts out there about religion and this is due to some recent events that have taken place on the last few days.
So I'm not really a fond of religions but I find myself looking for ways to make things clear for both sides; the religious and the non-religious. I'm not a "God" believer, I consider myself a mix of atheist and agnostic. I like to look for answers and so far nothing has prove to me that there's a god and that it was not just a story made up by men to control the weak-minded. I like to learn about other religions and not just be stuck by knowing what Christianity is and what Catholicism is. From what I have learned so far there are better religions out there than just those two that I just mentioned. I would have to say that from the ones I know about if I had to be part of a religion it would have to be either Paganism or Satanism.
I think I'm fond of Paganism because before I knew anything about it I was attracted to many of the things that are connected with that religion, I also love how they stay true to their word and respect everyone no matter race, religion, or sex and they take care of the environment and care for animals and protect them. Most important they don't try to shove their believes down no ones throat.
Satanism is similar because they respect humans and animal alike and they also don't try to force anyone into their religion. Something many people don't know and is not really their fault, is that Satanism is not Devil-worshiping and that Satanism exists before Christianity was ever created. It just so happens that today’s' media and religion make it look as if Satanism is Devil Worshiping and also today's teenagers that call themselves Satanist don't even know the meaning of the word, they dress all in black and try to mimic what they see on films (which are 90% always inaccurate) or in books (if they read) and at the same time those teenagers are giving Gothics a bad name (Gothics are not devil-worshipers, Gothic is not a religion if don't know what Gothic is then 'Google' it) and most of those teenagers grow out of it. Satanist don't believe in a "God" they believe that each person is their own God, there is no greater force above them.
Paganism Also exist before Christianity and they believe in a God or Gods which are also represented in female form, is to be equal if there are males and females in the world then the deities shall be represented as such. Their Gods are known by several names but this just the most common; The Sun, Moon, Nature, and GreenMan but those are not all. They don't have book to follow which is great and they only have one rule and that is to harm no one.
But if it was up to me I would get rid of all religions, that way it would be fair for everyone. A lot of problems are caused due to religions and people judge each other morals base on their believes, we don't need a book or a religion to know how to live our lives, what is right or wrong, and what our morals should be. Religious people live their lives with fear "what if they do something wrong?" They will burn in eternity. Without religion everyone would be free to live life without fear of a flaming home waiting for them if do something wrong and don't repent. And live without being enchained by a book written by men.
I recently found out about the religious drama revolving around Oprah and I just had to laugh at how quickly Pastors, and Preachers all started to attack Oprah because of her religion preference just because she is famous and a lot of people listen to her more than what they would listen to any of them. They are afraid to loose more people from going to the church and probably expect her to repent (which she most likely wont) and help give the church popularity again. That’s just sad, what a bunch of desperate men.
So those are my thought about religion, a bit of info about two different religions that are always misunderstood and my thought about the Oprah Drama.
Here’s a link to one of the videos regarding a Preacher giving Oprah a warning, if you listen to what he says in 3:16-3:20 he’s contradicting himself and in 3:50-4:05 he’s giving the idea that “God” is against Democracy which if “God” really existed I don’t think he would be against it, but whatever just an opinion thrown out there for other to read and agree or disagree with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMy7fPRoTAI
Update; January 17, 2010 However I don't want to generalize, not all religious people are Bible thumpers or fanatics, and I have also come to understand that most if not all people need something to rely on to give them strength, so they turn to religion. They need that faith because is what helps them and is what works for them, but I could my faith on a doll and it would work the same way because it's what your mind is telling you; so if you believe that a doll or a tree will help you and is listening to you and has the power to to do miracles then whenever a "miracle" happens or what you were wishing for finally happens then you will think it was the tree's or the doll's doing. I don't want mock anyone, I just wanted to put an example of how I see faith works, and I get it, I get the need but what I don't get is when some people, mostly fanatics, invade other people's believes and ways of living and how they want everyone to believe in their God, how every other God that's not theirs is evil. Why can't people just believe in whatever they want and mind their on business? Another thing that bothers me is when everything is blame in God or at time in the Devil, no one wants take responsibility for what happens if not they want excuse for a tragedy and then blame it on something that can't defend itself. This is an example of something that is sad, I know someone who is very, very religious, is really nice and has a good heart but has been having a string of bad luck recently, this person also doesn't have a lot of money. Well this person decided to put blame on three things, she blames herself because she believes that she must be doing something wrong or has to be more humble or learn something so God is letting the Devil do these bad things to her so she realizes that she is doing something wrong. How F*cking sad. This person also lives in fear of things that she doesn't really know much about except what the Church and her parents taught her, and that is what bothers me the most about religion, when is misused by people and it inflicts fear in some many and the higher powers use it to control does who live by the rule of everything the church says. Again I don't find anything wrong with the need of faith but I do find everything wrong with the Church and their manipulative ways and weak minded who get manipulated. I know people who believe in God but don't live their lives by the Bible or by the Church, and they live happy, they don't get into other people's religions and they mind them, I think that is a more healthy way to believe in something. I would never tell someone not to believe that is their choice just like is mine not to believe, and I also find it wrong when Atheist attack others for believe. All of my friends believe in God except me and it doesn't matter, we hardly ever talk about religion and is better that way, so I have nothing against people who believe, I just don't like fanatics or those people that condemn others for their different religion or for not believing at all. Funny how one of the main things about religion is to live in peace and serenity yet it has brought so much pain, war, and death, thanks to the men who misinterpret it and use it for their own gain and power. I just wish people would live and let live.