I can do nothing but agree.  That's why I distance myself from fanatical beliefs...because they often end up a big mountain of crazy hypocrisy and for the life of me I can't stand it.  When a religion teaches love, compassion, and goodwill how in the hell can you stand in front of someone and condemn them like you're God's personal messenger?  Never have I been able to grasp the mindset of a person like that.  Are they so confident and arrogant to assume that they are able to pass judgement on other people when according to the very book they hold so dear that that particular thing is reserved for God?

I could write pages and pages about all the issues I have with religion and Christianity in particular.  I focus on being a good person....if someone around me needs help, I'll give it...within reason of course.  That's the baseline of Christianity is it not?  Be good to your fellow man?  I thought so...but apparently there's a footnote where you can be a dick to people who are not Christians.  Not my cup of tea.  So by the actions of others I'm a bad Christian.  I don't go to church to feel better about myself for all the evil I do, I don't condemn people as "heathen" on a day to day basis, I don't clutch the Bible and think that every last word is stone cold fact, I don't spread hateful messages about people that are different, I don't inject God into every conversation, and I'm far from naive and blind following.  That's what makes me a bad Christian if you compare to a vast majority that I've seen these days.  By the way...the whole blind faith thing...that's a whole rant in itself.

Well, I've got class...so I'd better go.

Good article, Maso.  Has the potential for some good discussion...or at least letting me rant for awhile.

~Zoo

So far 2 excellent responses.  To a great article. Many who claim faith, do so blindly never questioning what they are told.  I was taught long ago that true faith must be questioned so that the believer's faith is thus strengthened.

I think you are doing that.  Faith is not religion, although they are often mistaken for it.  And strong faith is often scary to those who have never questioned their own - as they have no answers to the questions that are raised.

Dont fear them.  Only fear that you will stop growing and questioning and accept what others say blindly.

Yeah, I hear ya.

~Zoo

Surely you and I were cast from similar molds. I couldn't put it any better than this if I tried.

~Zoo

I think that's why I like science so much. I've never been one to just sit around and accept something that other people tell me. I prefer to go out and see exactly what it is, how it is done, and all that fun stuff. To follow words from a book without any question whatsoever, I feel, is madness. There's a lot of books out there...and to pick one and think it's the absolute truth is...well, it's just not feasible...not without asking a few things along the way. Questions help you grow, and there's never a problem with asking a question. If someone becomes angry and outraged...well, then that's their deep rooted fear and insecurity and you're poking around a place inside themselves that they're way too afraid to confront...and that's kind sad when you look at it. To confront one's insecurities is to become stronger...make it through that and your faith will become fortified in steel. Hide from yourself, however, and it's doubtful you'll be able to face God(or the equivalent of) in good standing. Personal growth, in my opinion, is one of the main goals of life...not praising an invisible overseer in hopes of getting in good graces, but by growing and earning it.

Whew...time for a break.

~Zoo

Personal growth, in my opinion, is one of the main goals of life...not praising an invisible overseer in hopes of getting in good graces, but by growing and earning it.

Exactly... I think some use their religion as a blanket or, even worse, as a shield. Using it as a blanket, they can cover themselves in it and kind of forget about the greater world beyond. It is almost as though what they can't or don't see won't affect them. Those who use it as a shield won't even let themselves open up new ideas or philosphies, instead using the shield of their religious convictions push away anything that might challenge these.

You're a true seeker, mate.

Heh, heh...I try. Never satisfied 'til I see something with my own eyes or feel it in my very being.

~Zoo

"Excuse me, but I think you might have mistaken me for someone who gives a shit."

We have that saying here too.

I don't have anything much to say other than that I agree with your views and what you say is very valid! I wish that many people (and Churches) who do call themselves Christians, would remember what Jesus was really like when he was on this earth, and to practice being that way in their daily lives.

I stumbled upon and read an interesting quote the other day Maso. It went:

It's not so much what you believe, but how you believe.

(sorry I'm late to this one. How did I manage to miss it?)

Say true, say true.

Actions speak louder than words and from what I see, they shout nothing but hypocrisy. (That has poem potential..maybe I'll run with that)

~Zoo

I'll get on that, hopefully soon. After that little crazy bit I just wrote, I need stable, sane poetry.

~Zoo

Ah, there is nothing wrong with a little bit of craziness, just so long as it doesn't take over everything else. You can go nuts but not be nuts...

Well that's good.

 

By the way, I have written my piece...check it out when you get the chance.

~Zoo