:: Captain's Personal Blog ::

Stardate: Monday, June 10, 2002

The World We Live In:

Let it finally be said, "I don't understand religion!" Well, I think I DO understand it, but if I do, then I don't think anyone else does. Let me make a few more sweeping statements:

1) There is no such thing as a true Atheist, only people who do not think they believe in God. I believe that when push comes to shove, and when faced with death, this person WILL believe in God. Just not subscribe to any particular faith.

2) I do not subscribe to any particular faith (AH-HA!!) Nor do I pray. I don't read the Bible and I don't attend religious observances. I was born Jewish, and I did have a Bar Mitzvah.

3) Near as I can tell, There is no one TRUE religion

4) Religions are not bad, they are only screwed up by the people who follow them.

So, with that in mind, it is time for me to climb my soapbox and discuss this delicate matter. I really hope not to offend anyone, because I believe that in it's own way, my message can be even more beautiful than those that already exist.

God is omnipotent. Most religions seem to believe this. I believe this is the only absolute and constant.

Now, if we agree on this, everything else falls into place.

Every man, woman and child on this planet (from here on in shortened to Man) inherently knows right from wrong. It's instinctual. That, and as free well, are God's two greatest gifts to us. From there on in, we are all captains of our own destinies. Man did not create religions to show people what is right and what is wrong. Man created religions to put their own spin on popular perspective. Notice how religious stances on more recent popular debate topics have shifted in recent centuries, encompassing the topics of homosexuality, science and even modern conveniences like electricity. Religions change with the times.

Let me add to that: Remember rule #1 - God is omnipotent. Bearing this in mind, why would God create this entire planet, fill it with miracles and wonders to astound, and yet choose a very small section of dirt and call it HOLY LAND. I don't believe that any land on this planet is more holy than any other. It can all be perceived as a miracle, and should be by those who inhabit it.

Going back to Rule #1 again, There is no need for physical pennance or prayer. God knows your thoughts. God knows what is in your heart. If you truly feel regret for a sin or a crime, God will know it. Fooling human courts and even convincing yourself of that for the rest of your life will not help you if it isn't true. God will know that. Praising God and thanking him for the marvel which is life is just as effective, if not more so, in your heart than it is out loud in a congregation. What makes a land holy? God's will. I like to think that the Earth is a Holy Land, as much as the rest of creation.

Under what circumstances would a God who says "Thou Shalt Not Kill" say "Not only can you kill yourself, but you can only do it if you kill those around you"? Why would God condone slaughter in his name, if he says that it is not allowed?

As many great men have said, time is short. We are but a footnote in the annals of history. Would a God, who chooses that we spend such a short time here, want us to spend the whole time fighting? Killing? We don't all have to agree with eachother. That's what Free Will is all about. The right to choose. It's an inalienable human right.

We all instinctually know that there is a higher being at work. We will just choose to believe whatever gets us through the night. If knowing the right religion were truly that important, God would come down and prove it Himself. The fact is that getting it right is not important. Living the underlying message is. Be good to eachother. Live as one people -- Not Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or any other. Live as human beings. Live as creatures of God. Whether you believe in him or not, you at least know that you are the same as the person sitting next to you. As the other 6 billion people on this planet. Live that way.

I may not be the most educated person in the world, especially when it comes to religions. In the long run, I doubt that it's all that important, so long as I live my life believing in my fellow man.

(gets down off his soapbox)
:: J 11:17 AM [+] ::
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