As of late, I've been doing some research for a book I'd like to write. I've been pouring over information regarding various religions, good vs evil, demons, angels, fey, Gods and Goddess, magic, etc. I've even spent some time researching Satanism.
I've come to a conclusion about all religion. A very important one that has solidified my "on the fence" attitude.
Here it is:
All organized religion is full of shit.
All of it. I don't care if you're a catholic, a jew, a muslim, a satanist, a wiccan, a buddist...whatever. It all boils down to this fact:
So shut the fuck up and quit bitching at each other. Believe what you want. Worship who and what you want. Just stop friggen fighting about everything.
Honestly, I think the reason people are turned off by religion these days isn't because they don't want to believe in a God/Goddess, whatever. No, I think it's because they don't want to be pulled into the schoolyard pissing match that religion has become. I know I don't. Christans say everyone not like them are bad (even other christans), Satanists say the bible is a lie and Christans are the evil ones, Wiccans think both are bad since everyone but them is killing the earth, the Muslims hate everyone just like the Christians...
Aaargh!
The more I pour over information on religious texts, myths, and demonolgy, etc., the more I want to tear my hair out. Double talking? Hypocrisy? Hate-mongering? Demonizing? MY GOD! (excuse the pun) There's not a single religion I've come across that isn't responsible of one or more of these.
And don't get me started on the inconsistancies of the religious texts I've read, the bible included.
They're all just as bad as the other. That means you, Mr. Christian...and you too Mr. Satanist...and you as well, Ms. Wiccan.
It pisses me off. Faith is just faith. It's not fact...and that's what I thought made faith so special. Faith was suppose to make people feel good about themselves, feel strong, and give them courage. Instead it's become some sort of poison that feeds hate and intolerance. Religion = misery these days. It's really quite sad. We've used a good thing to harm each other for thousands and thousands of years. Only humans are capable of that kind of irony, if you ask me, and only they are sick enough to try and justify it as a "justice".
If there is a God, or Goddess, or whatever, s/he has probabably long since abandoned us since we're all a bunch of selfish little pigs. Not to mention stupid and pretty much not worth saving.
I'll never be a member of any congregation. Ever. I'll make my own decisions about faith and worship on my own. To hell with the flocks of mindless, brainwashed sheep.
Posted by Zoso at June 13, 2005 05:02 PMHi, Zoscrowe, I just happened to stumble across your site while reading your Star Ocean 3 fanfiction (which I am enjoying). When I came to your homepage and this entry happen to catch my eye and I happened to find it interesting and at the same time offensive. I am willingly admitting that I am a Christian, and your opinion is just an opinion. True, no one truly knows what happens after death but my belief in my own religion has given me assurance that there is a heaven and that I will find myself there when I die. I believe that my faith is the true faith, but than so do other religions believe that they are the true ones. I admit us Christians may seem eccentric but we want to help the others come to faith in order to save them. But with you saying that we hate everyone like Muslims is wrong. Sure hostility is felt but we dont hate them, we arent going around killing those who dont change to our religion, all we do is just tell them about it in order to help them change. Im sorry if I sound condemming or anything, I dont want to viewed as that. Yes, you're right that faith is just faith and not a fact, thats why I believe what I do not see, because i have faith in what I believe. It is sad that there is so much hate between contradicting religions, and we are worthless beings that arent fit to be save, but becasue of my faith I believe that I am saved even though I committed sins. Don't worry, Im not trying to force my opinion on you for I respect the fact that you want to make your own decisions towards any type of worship and I hope you dont hate me for making my view known. I guess that's all I wanted to say and I hope now that I haven't offended you with my ranting. I dont want you to think that Im one of those extremists going around saying, "become a Christian or face your doom!" or anything like that. I hope that you find this of interest and not of offense, Im only writig this to help you understand where I'm coming from as one of the religions you're against. And again I ask you to forgive me if I sound condemming and not to hate me for my belief in my religion.
Posted by: Cailey at June 14, 2005 08:55 AMI'm sorry you got offended, but wasn't singling out Christians. I mentioned several major religions and some not so major. So I'm not certain why you got offended. *shrug* Nor am I upset that you voiced your opinion. I don't mind.
You have your faith. That's cool. I never said faith was bad or evil. I said I have issues with organized religion, because it's so often used to breed hate and intolerance. (regardless of who or what you worship)
For the record, I'm not necessarily "against" any type of religion. I don't hate Christians, I don't hate Wiccans, I don't hate Satanists, I don't hate Jews, I don't hate Muslims, etc. I personally think that as large as some of these religions have become, they've lost focus on what they're suppose to stand for and that pisses me off.
I think faith is a great thing. What I don't like is when faith is used as an excuse to behave badly and treat each other badly. And most religions are nothing but excuses anymore. That's sad.
And I understand that there are good and bad people in all difference faces of faith. Unfortuantly, it's often the bad ones who make the most noise.
No one needs to justify who or what they worship to another person. I don't think less or more of you (or anyone) based off of your choice of religion. I would think less of a person if they tried to shove their beliefs down my throat and tell me I'm damned if I didn't joing "thier side". I would think less of a person who used their religion to hurt and condemn other people. I dislike hypocrits, I dislike people who refuse to be responsible for their own actions, and I dislike people who hide behind their faith.
*shrug* That's where I stand, and have stood for a very long time, on the subject of religion. I don't see my views changing, nor do I see myself as damned (I don't believe in Hell anyway). If people could play nicer with one another, I wouldn't feel the need to bitch. ;P
Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/boy_army.htm
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/nation/9431269.htm
And the wise words of our loving, tolerant president:
"I don't think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military officials would take a second look at the decision they made." G.W. Bush (R)
Nice....
And no, I'm not Wiccan. I wouldn't know a Star of David from a Pentagram.
Posted by: Zoso at June 14, 2005 06:21 PMI'm glad you can understand where I'm coming from, and I know you weren't singling out Christains. Thank you for those sites, they were rather interesting reading through them. If you think about it, almost all religions are related in one way or form and it does leave people wondering. It was nice to hear your views on religions and rather enlightening. So, thanks for listening and replying.
Oh and in the words of the Queen of Aquaria: "May Apris shine upon you." (sorry, couldn't help myself, just finished my 4-hours of playing Star Ocean for the day)
*bows* Goodbye
Posted by: Cailey at June 14, 2005 07:29 PMHa ha! May the sun shine on you too!
Only 4 hours? O_o Actually, I have no room to talk, my record is 15 hours...yes, in one sitting. I don't remember what I was playing, but I was laid off from work, no money, and snowed in...Not to mention no life...
*deep sigh and pets PS2*
Posted by: Zoso at June 14, 2005 07:56 PMWhoa, in one sitting? Man... Well then again it's summer, I had stuff to do, my computer was calling me to write, and my brother was pestering me to no end, so yeah I only got 4 hours. But I think my record is at least 7, the whole night. I felt sorry for whoever crossed my path the next morning =__='
Posted by: Cailey at June 15, 2005 06:29 AMYou know, I haven't played SO3 in ever, thanks to all the revision I've prete- I mean, had to do. But guess what, this morning I had a dream about Albel and Nel! It was really funny, I'll tell you in my next e-mail. ^__^
But the really cool bit was that Nel had a bad wrist in my dream. HMM. Wonder where I got THAT from? >=D
Posted by: DR at June 15, 2005 07:09 AMWith all this talk about SO3, I'm getting the itch to play again. If I do that, I know I won't get any writing done...or any housework...or any reading...
Agggh! Stop talking about it you two! *shakes finger* ;P
Posted by: Zoso at June 15, 2005 03:15 PMWRITE WRITE. You know you want to. >=D
Maybe they could ride a Yoshi across the desert?
OkayI'mshuttingupnow.
Posted by: DR at June 16, 2005 01:15 AM*pokes* I can't help but be scared for your PS2. 15 hours? I think the most I have done is 10 'cause I'm afraid that my PS2 will blow up or something if I play it too long....(I am a worrier >>) And I have to say that I really agree with your thoughts on religion. I really don't want to say I'm atheist, but watching all these different religions go at it is kind of discouraging. Well, maybe atheist isn't the word... agnostic, maybe? *sighs* Well, gotta catch the bus! Seeya.
Posted by: Vampire_Fire at September 23, 2005 06:12 AM