The words of a wise man! I cannot say that Philosophers were so wise though, lol. They thought too much, but maybe thinking about the world isn't such a bad thing. I think it depends on the way you do it. So this blog today is on religion. I guess I have been fluttered by recent events. I would like to point out that I am not sure how to express the following without seeming judgemental. And I can admit that maybe I am, but this is meant to be more opinion based - questioning the thoughts of others, and also the confusion of the many scenarios that engulf our lives. Above all, there is no attacking other religions here, everyone is free to believe what they wish (and do), as you are free to disagree with every last word I say.
Let's start with my religious background. I was baptized Methodist, and spent most of my youngly years in a Presbyterian Church. Not to say the least I found church very boring. There were only a few sermons here and there that seemed worth listening to. The only thing remotely joyful was reading the bible. In my adolescent years, I spent my time experimenting with different religions. I went from agnosticism, to atheism and (yes) Wiccan, then back to agnosticism. I am now without a religion and apparently they have a name: Nones. They now make up 15% of the population (supposedly), and some do believe in God, in fact the majority do. To put a name to myself you could even call me a Deist. In fact Deism is probably the most logical thing for me to believe in. It makes sense, and in the least, life should make sense. But the thought of joining another... group of sorts just scares me, though they do not seem so "radical" as revealed religions. It would be nice to talk to others who believe in what I believe in. And understand the things I understand.
So, i felt it necessary to reveal that in my case, all roads lead to God, just not the God that seems to be rather vengeful and cruel. I don't believe that even Hitler is in Hell. In my opinion, God would be a creative "punisher". Punishment is needed to guide loved ones, but it does not have to be cruel and unusual and should not be feared. I would think that anyone who is far from Holy returns to Earth to "try again", and learn a lesson, or must spend their years as a spirit of some sort. Of course, these are only speculations, and yes, I allow my mind to run wild. :) Whether or not the Devil exists is a mystery. Evil is in each of us. There is an opposite to everything. there is self control in not acting on your "twin". I do not believe in a God where he send you to this Hell, because you did not follow Christianity, even if you did everything humanly right in your life. Considering that in the bible, Jews are highly mentioned. So why don't people follow Judaism when everything else (selectively) is followed in the Bible? Or is it because they crucified Jesus on the cross? All of a sudden they are a forbidden religion? As a side note: I will be using Bible verses as well, because since most highly regard it, that's what they can believe rather than the word of man (woman)...usually anyways. :-/
Speaking of the Bible, not to mention that people wrote what they believed were messages from God, there's a few different versions and all have been translated from some old language. If anyone has ever learned a second language, you notice that other languages have different word orders and meanings for their words.
Although I am highly disgusted that people's main excuse for spanking is not that: "I have a hard-headed child and I have no clue what else to do." but rather, "The bible says so." Well...no it doesn't. The common quote "Spare the rod, spoil the child." seems rather foul, don't you think? A ROD, really? Don't try to tell me a rod is some some soft stick. When i hear rod, I think of a metal pole. Does that sound humane to you? Of course there are other definitions of rod, but none of them seem sound enough to be used as a spanking tool. Now, as mentioned above, translating takes a little bit of work because of word meanings. With that said, rod can be interpreted in another more sensible way. And here to help me will be the following website: http://www.raptureforums.com/FeaturedCommentary/sparetherod.cfm Now this is not meant to start a spanking debate, those are endless and dimes a dozen. I just want a more sensible reason then "The Bible says so." And quite frankly, I don't see anything big wrong with it, if it's: A) Not you're only form of discipline, and B) it's controlled. We should all take a closer look at nature. Animals in the wild nip at their children to teach them a lesson, (it's a harder world for them don't ya know), but imagine them putting the force of a rod behind their bite. That's the only point I'm trying to make, but by all means, if you need to, spank. I've finally come to terms with this concept, but that does not mean I don't still have something to say, as usual!
Evil, also seems to be abounding greatly in this world of ours. Everyone in the spotlight (rappers, singers, the government) are supposedly evil. One example of this is Beyonce' wearing a Baphomet ring. Before I go on, people should research the Illuminati and Masonic beliefs. They are both confusing because there's a bunch of misleading information on both. But no one wants to do all of that right? Well neither do I. Moving on. The ring that Beyonce wore was a RAM from the Banana Republic. The blurry photos are misleading causing people to believe weird thing. Go here: http://www.brrepublic.com/home.html and click exclusives to see the RAM. Not to mention that it's a RAM'S SKULL, and not a Goat's live head...live being...a terrible description lol. And here's a better photo: http://twitpic.com/1gkhya and then this blogger exposes it as well: http://immaculatebacktalk.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/the-truth-behind-beyonces-devil-ring/ Hell, even I would buy it because I am an Aries. But I know that these photos mean nothing as they have thousands more for their "proof" that people of a higher status are evil. I am endlessly baffled at the fact that people would like to dig for evil rather than good. On top of that, listening to music does not possess you. If you don't carry yourself in a sluttish, whorish matter, then why does it matter that I was bumping Single Ladies last night? On top of that, no one asks anybody anything anymore, they just assume on "hidden" meanings. Not to mention that some are so quick to also, criminalize these famous people's religions because they don't align with their own, i.e. scientology. They have to sing/rap about God every step of the way to be "Holy" but this is only the surface on some's hypocrisy. The surface I tell you! There's just a lot of he said she said. The media is very good at getting people to believe just about anything, and no one bothers to question where they got their information from. Ever played the telephone game and wonder why at the end someone says something WAY off from what you heard. Learn to follow yourself and not because something MADE up says that you should follow it! And I'm referring to the ridiculous belief that artists are in some secret society. The artists are getting so much more attention from those that are so absolutely worried that they are corrupting the youth. Well let me tell you something. The only corruption comes from wanting to use Diet Pepsi cans to roll my hair, because no child is worried about the friggin' dynasty sign that Jay-Z is throwing up. Just like the ones that believe in this nonsense because they have been tricked into doing so, but not knowing any fact, kids are only singing lyrics and throwing up signs because their idol is doing it, they have no clue what the supposed hidden meaning is. Not to mention that Jay-Z was accused of stealing his, now popular, symbol, so does that still make it terrible??
Romans 14:10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
Let's also keep in mind that many people dream of becoming a celebrity. The whole Illuminati situation pretty much says that they shouldn't because they will become an Illuminati. So pretty much, everyone in the music industry is weak minded and can't think for themselves...well gee that sounds quite similar to the people who believe in this in the first place. But this is enough of that crap. There's more information to dig out!
I mention hypocrites, for the simple fact that many people pick and choose Bible verses. Homosexuality would be a good example.
But before I get to that I want to return to the quote in the subject. "Belief In a Cruel God, Makes a Cruel Man." How can a loving God also be an angry God? He will be angry with us for many things as stated in the Bible. But anger is a human emotion. God is a holy being, he cannot be human and immortal. I don't want to have to live my life in fear of what God would do to me if I make a mistake, I remember those days hiding in fear, why should I fear someone who should be above normal human emotions? It just does not seem right. I would rather be loved by God. Therefore I do not fear, I do my best for God loves me.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18 (Should not have to fear God!)
Back to Homosexuality. This again returns to the accuracies of said Bible and how people pick and choose.
"'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. -Leviticus 20:13". I don't see anyone suggesting death here, but it clearly says so! It says we must do it! But this is too cruel for one to fathom then huh? Especially if it's your own son. But if you follow the Bible, the Bible is word, how can you disagree with such a statement? On top of this, there is new information on Soy Milk, and who knows how many other foods, (with the exception of Soy), that are being added with chemicals that no one cares to study how they effect the human body. So, you give your new growing son soy milk, and he develops thoughts similar to womens because his body is surging with estrogen! So he is attracted to men now because of this! Do we fault a child and "put to death" someone when it is the fault of the food they ate? We punish because of outside influences? And then many are so quick to refute studies that could prove that homosexuality is genetic, but yet believe other more ridiculous situations...such as above, based on theory. I don't know how many men WANT to be gay, have you seen what happens to some of them? The ridicule, the torture that some of them endure? Yeah..that makes it SO cool to be homosexual.
I think this will be all for now. I am highly tired lol. And I feel better sort of. :)
Have a nice day, and don't forget to think first, and act later.
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
John 13:34 - I am giving you a new commandment to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.