Religion
I wonder. I wonder about my life and whether there is something I'm doing that makes me suffer more than others. Is it my denunciation of God? Do I need to just embrace him(or her, I'll try to be "PC") and my life will turn around? I've heard it suggested before. Open your heart to God and he will bring you through.
Then, after those moments of vulnerability, I realize there is no way that any of it is true. How can there be this man in the sky who is able to watch all our actions simultaneously? He will judge upon our death whether it is hell or heaven which we deserve. I can understand the good in God, the benefits that arise. People need hope, hope for better things to think that being a good person will allow them to reach thy kingdom and be rewarded for their humanity and kindness. So, I can see the idea of religion serving a good purpose. Yet, this is often outweighed by the destruction and controlling device that religion can also become. Religion has become a justification for murder. It is really a justification for just about anything and everything one can do. A common day example is Islam. Islam itself denounces murder, like most religions, and certainly doesn't approve of suicide. Yet, fundamentalist leaders are able to persuade and control others to do their bidding and follow the word of God. If someone is so strong a believer in God, has such a great connection with him, and is on Earth to do his bidding, why would he only be telling other people to do it? The ability to control people is immeasurable. I can also see the plausibility of religion as a controlling device for the elite in more ancient times.
What is to stop the masses from overthrowing a small group of elites? What could stop people from stealing, murdering and other wrongdoings? Given that these elites could to some extent control a small number of people, they wouldn't be able to control a complete uprising and anarchy. But, religion provides. It provides a reason not to do wrong. For if your are not punished in this life, if we are unable to pursue you, you will be under the judgment of God and suffer his wrath. It's really a clause about maintaining order and keeping the dim-witted common folk from seizing power.
Another question that comes to mind for me is how religion can even be true? There are countless religions with strikingly different view points. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all monotheistic, but they do not all share the same beliefs. They are only three of the religions out of the thousands(maybe even more) that exist. Many other religions are polytheistic or have beliefs in mythological creatures. The point is, that if religion is to be true, there can only be one single truth. That is to say, if one religion is true than all of the rest are incorrect and false. It can't be true that more than one religion is true when they contradict each other, as well as denounce one another. Even the separation between Catholics and Christians can lead to bloodshed, and they often see the other as misguided. Let us not even go in to the all the different denominations and complexities. Basically, my point is that if there is truth in religion it can only be a sole truth and it will not overlap. So, regardless of which religion is true(if one is true), this would cause the other 5 billion people on earth to be wrong and ill-fated.
Scientology! This to me should show everyone how ridiculous religion truly is. This religion, like all, was fabricated and has been proven to steal the money from many of those who support and produce plenty o' nut cases like Tom Cruise. We all laugh and joke at their expense, but there are serious undertones. I don't think any one who shall read this will become a believer in the fervor of Scientology. We can all agree that the ideas presented are completely ludicrous (LUDACRIS!).
The other religion I will point to is Mormonism. If you are a resident of the United States, you are relatively familiar of the name, but may not know the ideas behind it. I suggest you read up on Wikipedia and laugh. You could also watch South Park, which does a relatively good job in establishing what a joke the religion is. In summary, Mormonism follows the story of Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was a man who was contacted by God and told that he must not follow any of the current religions. He was to create and spread the word of the book of Mormon, an alternative that was written by Christians of America. So, in addition to the bible, they believe there is also an alternative made right here in the good ol' U S of A, which beholds the truth of Jesus Christ's doctrine. Yup, so what is to say that I can't say that God contacted me and wanted me to write down his words and that all other religions were false, and only through obeying every word I say and crowning me King of the Universe will they be able to reach salvation? Maybe this is only absurd to me, but it is a major religion that has found a political role in areas where it is dominant like Utah. At this point, I think it is fair to look upon each one of our own respective religions. If what is in your holy book was not already declared to be fact, would it not be a completely insane book of stories? Books which include the word of God. Personally, in common times, anyone who says that God has spoken to them is pretty much revered as a full on lunatic, similar to those men in Time Square who preach that the apocalypse is upon us. What about miracles? Why were there only miracles occurring in ancient times that don't occur now? The only splitting of the waters would be seen in a tabloid magazine today. (George Carlin builds upon these questions...YouTube it) Why do good people die young? They also die old, so I can't say I am overly impressed with the idea that God needed them to be their angel. We are so much more educated, but still are lulled to sleep and content by all that is religion.
I don't mean this to offend people who believe in God, though I most definitely have done that. I just wonder how something which defies all logic can be accepted by BILLIONS of people. I could probably continue to expand upon these ideas because the ways in which I find religion to be a bunch of bull shit are innumerable. I just simply ask that you may question your beliefs without a blind acceptance that what you have been taught is fact. We are afraid of the unknown. We are afraid that when we die, the only thing that happens is decomposition of the body as a living heap of compost. I don't know the answer to that question. I can't claim to know for a fact that there is no afterlife, but I can firmly say that religion defies all logic known to man. I think that religion has created war and an infinite amount of horrifying images in this world. Maybe peace could be a reality without it, though that is probably more wishful thinking than anything. Do not walk around with a blind fold over your eyes, seek truth.
Then, after those moments of vulnerability, I realize there is no way that any of it is true. How can there be this man in the sky who is able to watch all our actions simultaneously? He will judge upon our death whether it is hell or heaven which we deserve. I can understand the good in God, the benefits that arise. People need hope, hope for better things to think that being a good person will allow them to reach thy kingdom and be rewarded for their humanity and kindness. So, I can see the idea of religion serving a good purpose. Yet, this is often outweighed by the destruction and controlling device that religion can also become. Religion has become a justification for murder. It is really a justification for just about anything and everything one can do. A common day example is Islam. Islam itself denounces murder, like most religions, and certainly doesn't approve of suicide. Yet, fundamentalist leaders are able to persuade and control others to do their bidding and follow the word of God. If someone is so strong a believer in God, has such a great connection with him, and is on Earth to do his bidding, why would he only be telling other people to do it? The ability to control people is immeasurable. I can also see the plausibility of religion as a controlling device for the elite in more ancient times.
What is to stop the masses from overthrowing a small group of elites? What could stop people from stealing, murdering and other wrongdoings? Given that these elites could to some extent control a small number of people, they wouldn't be able to control a complete uprising and anarchy. But, religion provides. It provides a reason not to do wrong. For if your are not punished in this life, if we are unable to pursue you, you will be under the judgment of God and suffer his wrath. It's really a clause about maintaining order and keeping the dim-witted common folk from seizing power.
Another question that comes to mind for me is how religion can even be true? There are countless religions with strikingly different view points. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all monotheistic, but they do not all share the same beliefs. They are only three of the religions out of the thousands(maybe even more) that exist. Many other religions are polytheistic or have beliefs in mythological creatures. The point is, that if religion is to be true, there can only be one single truth. That is to say, if one religion is true than all of the rest are incorrect and false. It can't be true that more than one religion is true when they contradict each other, as well as denounce one another. Even the separation between Catholics and Christians can lead to bloodshed, and they often see the other as misguided. Let us not even go in to the all the different denominations and complexities. Basically, my point is that if there is truth in religion it can only be a sole truth and it will not overlap. So, regardless of which religion is true(if one is true), this would cause the other 5 billion people on earth to be wrong and ill-fated.
Scientology! This to me should show everyone how ridiculous religion truly is. This religion, like all, was fabricated and has been proven to steal the money from many of those who support and produce plenty o' nut cases like Tom Cruise. We all laugh and joke at their expense, but there are serious undertones. I don't think any one who shall read this will become a believer in the fervor of Scientology. We can all agree that the ideas presented are completely ludicrous (LUDACRIS!).
The other religion I will point to is Mormonism. If you are a resident of the United States, you are relatively familiar of the name, but may not know the ideas behind it. I suggest you read up on Wikipedia and laugh. You could also watch South Park, which does a relatively good job in establishing what a joke the religion is. In summary, Mormonism follows the story of Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was a man who was contacted by God and told that he must not follow any of the current religions. He was to create and spread the word of the book of Mormon, an alternative that was written by Christians of America. So, in addition to the bible, they believe there is also an alternative made right here in the good ol' U S of A, which beholds the truth of Jesus Christ's doctrine. Yup, so what is to say that I can't say that God contacted me and wanted me to write down his words and that all other religions were false, and only through obeying every word I say and crowning me King of the Universe will they be able to reach salvation? Maybe this is only absurd to me, but it is a major religion that has found a political role in areas where it is dominant like Utah. At this point, I think it is fair to look upon each one of our own respective religions. If what is in your holy book was not already declared to be fact, would it not be a completely insane book of stories? Books which include the word of God. Personally, in common times, anyone who says that God has spoken to them is pretty much revered as a full on lunatic, similar to those men in Time Square who preach that the apocalypse is upon us. What about miracles? Why were there only miracles occurring in ancient times that don't occur now? The only splitting of the waters would be seen in a tabloid magazine today. (George Carlin builds upon these questions...YouTube it) Why do good people die young? They also die old, so I can't say I am overly impressed with the idea that God needed them to be their angel. We are so much more educated, but still are lulled to sleep and content by all that is religion.
I don't mean this to offend people who believe in God, though I most definitely have done that. I just wonder how something which defies all logic can be accepted by BILLIONS of people. I could probably continue to expand upon these ideas because the ways in which I find religion to be a bunch of bull shit are innumerable. I just simply ask that you may question your beliefs without a blind acceptance that what you have been taught is fact. We are afraid of the unknown. We are afraid that when we die, the only thing that happens is decomposition of the body as a living heap of compost. I don't know the answer to that question. I can't claim to know for a fact that there is no afterlife, but I can firmly say that religion defies all logic known to man. I think that religion has created war and an infinite amount of horrifying images in this world. Maybe peace could be a reality without it, though that is probably more wishful thinking than anything. Do not walk around with a blind fold over your eyes, seek truth.