Organized Religion @ MindSay

I fail to see why people can’t worship their own way without feeling a need to congregate, form a hierarchy, make up a lot of capricious rules, and proselytize to others who are not interested.

People tend to want to have someone to look up to, who can tell them what’s right, and what they should do in any given situation.  A leader that they can turn to in times of need, who might have the answers they seek.  Usually this person has a great deal of charisma, and has an air of being in control.  It can be likened to a father-figure-type situation, with scared children looking to their father for guidance and answers.

As humans, we compartmentalize everything.  “A place for everything...”  We hate to deviate from that, so we organize, find someone to follow, and create regulations to keep people in line.  Organized religion is no different.

Why does one need an “invisible deity in the sky” to tell them to do the right thing?  We should all do the right thing simply because it’s right.  (Personal beliefs must always be taken into account here.  What do I care if you do something illicit, as long as it’s not hurting anyone?)  We should do what’s decent not because we’re promised salvation if we do, or threatened with Hell if we don’t.  In fact, I find that more than a bit insulting.

None of this is to say that I don’t have my own religious beliefs; they just can’t be easily labeled, and folded neatly into a box.  I took some time and care to cultivate my beliefs, not to mention a lot of my own research.  My beliefs are still evolving, and I’m proud of all of it.  That’s what is so great about constantly learning.  You’re never done!  “If you’re not learning, you’re dead.”

I’ve studied a vast array of the world’s religions for years – Christianity, Zoroastrianism, various Pagan paths, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism – just to name a few, and I keep coming to the same conclusion.  No one has it completely right, but no one’s completely wrong either.  I believe it’s the height of arrogance for us, with our tiny human brains, to think that we have religion and the cosmos all figured out.  What’s worse is “sentencing” someone to “eternal damnation” simply because they disagree with you.  Haven’t you ever been wrong before?

Being a somewhat logical, carbon-based life-form, I’d be remiss if I ignored science.  There are just so many things that make too much sense to dismiss.  For instance, I truly believe in the Big Bang Theory.  I just don’t know who or what was the catalyst, and no one else knows either.  We plainly can’t comprehend it.  I guess we’ll know for sure when we die, right? 

I do know one thing, though.  Our souls are made up of energy, and energy never dies.  It only gets recycled.  Where our souls go after this is really anybody’s guess.  Just don’t be so quick to chastise someone else for disagreeing with your beliefs.  Recognize that you’re both travelling to the same destination; you’re just on different journeys.  Who cares how you got there, just as long as you show up?

Until Next Time,

Danielle

Next time you happen to be bored and want to piss off some one with strong one sided opinions on every controversial topic under the sun say the following:

"I am pro-everything in the right situation. This covers but is not limited too: abortion, deconstruction of organized religion, racial jokes, freedom of sexual preference - including same sex marriage, politics, increasing difficulty for illegal aliens, stem cell research, etc"

Then watch them turn red in the face and start hyperventilating. It was priceless.
I wished loneshadow could have seen it, it was right up his ally if you go by his posts lately lol. 

Religion:

•       A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

•       A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.

•       The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

•       The life or state of a monk, nun, etc.

•       The practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

•       Something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.

•       Strict faithfulness; devotion.

Now, correct me if I am wrong but in this definition of ‘Religion’ does it ANYWHERE say that

"A state of complete and utter submission to people who
‘know what is best for you’ in the name of the all mighty. "

No?

I did not think so…

In fact…I believe they use the words ‘moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.’ Why yes…I do believe that is what it says?

So where do religious fanatics get off waving their bibles in peoples faces shouting out verses from it’s pages, quoting scriptures, and screaming judgmental words? Where do they get the balls to sit there and tell people they are going straight to hell for their ‘sinful ways’ unless they repent to god to save their souls? I would really like to know? I think that perhaps all of these bible beating retards need to be silenced because their platitudinous words are beginning to get under my skin in a way that makes me want to shut their mouths with a power nail gun.

What is my issue right now? Three words: Christian Help Groups.
One called Union, to be exact. One of my friends who will remain nameless…is like me being agnostic (someone who is skeptical about the existence of any deity but does not profess true atheism.) A friend of hers brought her to Union, a local group for teens and young adults (ages 15-25) because she has had a long term issue with abuse (sexual, physical, and mental) and is currently having issues. She has been having some reoccurring nightmares recently and was instructed by a Physiological Therapist (some one with a masters in the subject) to arrange sessions to work through them. She was told by this woman who runs Union that it’s a test from god that she be having these nightmares and that only he was the one that can take them away. This woman told my friend that she was being punished for turning her back on god. This woman told her that the only way to forgive herself and the person who did harm to her was to come back to the lord and beg his forgiveness…My friend called me sobbing and told me she has never been so confused and out of sorts in her entire life.

I will admit…
I completely out did myself this time
I ripped this woman to pieces in front of the entire assembly of “youths and adults”
Lets get something straight here…I’m not exactly cute and cuddle when I get mad I’m not a person to be pushing buttons or stepping on toes.
I made this lady dissolve into tears I’m not sure if it was from guilt or she got scared of what I might do to her…but…I threw a leather bound bible at her and pretty much told her that if she was condemning every person who seeks professional help for a mental illness or other affliction that they would have company in her hell. I told her that the next time I hear of her belittling people of other faiths and ideals I would get people involved because she was infringing upon the freewill of people who came to her for ‘free guidance and acceptance’ (as says their slogan and mission statement)

It got to the point where some guy told me that he would ‘remove me’ through force if I didn’t leave their ‘humble house of god’ to which I replied that he lay one ungodly hand on me I would break all of his fingers in three places each…and I’m very capable of doing so. He said he would call the police for threatening him and I replied “you threaten me, I threaten you.” And then I turned and walked out with my friend, took her home, helped her make an appointment for a therapist and hope that her appointment Monday goes well…

I am not a fan of organized religion…especially hard core Christians, your ideals are often incomplete and misinformed. I went to Morning Star a catholic Preschool for one year…I then attended St. Raphael’s for nine years and took religion classes for all of them. I have been through first communion, confirmation, and most of the annual ‘sacraments’ I’ve been through stations of the cross, blessing of the palms, holy water masses, may day, ash wed, Latin masses, and have read the Catholic Catechism and Bible from cover to cover. There is little you can throw in my face that I can’t turn around on you or possibly disprove and maybe even make you doubt.
I make it a point to rarely talk religion because I am usually the last person to get frustrated. I don’t give advice and I don’t tell people what is right or wrong. I don’t believe in ‘Religion’ or even ‘Belief’ or the churches definition of ‘Faith’ I believe in being a good person, help others, take care of who you love and the place you live, have respect for everything even if it doesn’t deserve it. Love your life and love yourself some how living like that you just can’t go wrong.

If you can understand what I am saying and appreciate my words...Nominate/Vote.

Howdy Howdy all,

*DISCLAIMER* This entry is about the writer/it is a personal(relatively) musing on MY part. It is not an attack on any one in particular nor is it a sweeping demonization(for lack of a better word) of Christianity. All of the thoughts and emotions contained herein are reflections on a single individual's life and experiences (MINE). Any and ALL may comment as they wish, but no name-calling or personal attacks on individuals is allowed nor welcomed. Feel free to dispute any and all ideas herein, in language appropriate for use in an adult environment (profanity is not forbidden but nasty comments directed toward others is certainly unwelcome).

Okay, I have to let you all in on a little secret...I was raised in a bible thumpin', revival havin', holy ghost catchin' family. I taught sunday school in my younger days and organized countless bake sales and even helped with the Ladies Auxillary as a youth (yeah, all the boys were waiting in line for a chance to get with me, Churchy McBible). I spent my summers attending vacation bible school (which was A LOT of FUN! We learned about Jesus and had games and snacks at the same time). The message was always about inclusion and helping the less fortunate, the oppressed, the infirm and so on. There was no condition placed on this precept. You helped if you could period. You gave what you could (honestly) to your neighbors (not just the folks next door but any neighbor in Christ). Much of how I carry myself now is due to what I was taught about fellowship and being a good Samaritan at Damascus Baptist Church in a tiny town in Mississippi. The church is terribly small but hosts youth programs, literacy programs, a food pantry and has volunteers who actually VISIT with those who are noted as "sick or shut-in". The reverend visits everyone on the list regardless of volunteer support. That I respect.

This must be a serious strain on his time, and energy to always greet the ill of health with a smile and a kind word.

The reverend of the Damascus Baptist Church of my youth earned NO wage as a preacher (not like I notice now in Houston and other places), he was, of all things, a carpenter. The reverend who preaches there (Damascus Baptist Church) now earns NO wage for services. He says that he was called by God to spread his word, period. "God made no mention of me getting paid for the service, young sister." 

I don't attend organized religious services any longer, I have taken another route to my enlightenment. But when I visit my family's hometown I do attend services with my family, mostly because it is expected, but also because I LOVE gospel music(so passionate) and also, I like an apostle who trusts his faith enough to share his Saviour's message at zero cost to his corner of the world.  

There but for the Grace of God.......?. 

As I have gotten older the messages I learned as a girl started to get corrupted. Now I don't know if it because of  the messenger (more than likely I think) or the message itself (not always sure what the message is).

Maybe it is the messenger, there are a number of unscrupulous snake-oil salesmen and religion is not untouched by charlatans and ne'r do wells. Anybody with a hustle can pick up religion (any religion although I am only familiar with Southern Baptist Christianity and earth religions) and run with it.

Now I am not saying that EVERY CHRISTIAN that I have come into contact with has been less than what Christianity teaches. Not at all. I am saying that the ones that I have run into that have a separate agenda invoke feelings of unease in me, Especially when THEY they don't recognize this in themselves.

Some Christians scare the hell out of me. I mean some of them terrify me. truly. I have had Christians do and say things to and about me and others that one would not imagine.  I have heard them talk of being one under God only to contradict this very idea when their comfort level may be threatened. I was taught constantly that Christian Charity was of serious import under God's plan for his "children" only to have those "teachers" exclude those in need of assistance out of fear, entitlement or plain old spite. Some say that "these people are not real Christians". I don't know if I agree with this, I think that maybe they are Christians, that is, they believe that Jesus was the son of God, who died for "our" sins and that the repentant who "accept The Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour" will be received in the kingdom of heaven. I also believe that they are people first, they are subject to THEIR personal agendas first(whether it be confused with their Diety's agenda or not).

In short, I have noticed on an ever growing scale that when someone wants to push some idea the is EXCLUSIVE (that is not available to everyone) they scrounge around in "The Good Book" to make it acceptable.

Religion doesn't really bother me as a way to soothe the spirit and quiet(calm or medicate) the soul. What bothers me is the much touted "love thy neighbor" idea that I seldom witness from some "Christians" these days.

Still, I believe in US, WE, THE COLLECTIVE........

I like helping people, many of the people I know like to help people and I honestly BELIEVE that MOST people want to help people. Some need a little boost, but I think that when the shit hits the fan, many will put themselves out there for someone they don't know.

That being said, I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter.

The Oak

Live thy Life,
Young and old,
Like yon oak,
Bright in spring,
Living gold;

Summer-rich
Then; and then
Autumn-changed
Soberer-hued
Gold again.

All his leaves
Fall'n at length,
Look, he stands,
Trunk and bough
Naked strength--Alfred Lord Tennyson

Goddess Bless