This is still not Amanda writing this Journal entry. I'm still Jeff, Amanda's significant other. I'm filling in for the missus yadda, yadda, yadda... you know the deal by now. Religion Polite conversationalists are warned never to discuss religion or politics at a party to avoid a confrontational atmosphere. Since this is not a conversation--it's a monologue, more or less--I'm free to speak my mind. I don't mean to be trite about such an important subject, but it's difficult to get too deep in just a few paragraphs. This is meant to be an overview, not a doctrine. When you learn that someone is "religious" what goes through your mind? Do you picture a Bible-thumping, closed-minded person? A saffron-robed, bald-headed Hare Krishna? A Hasidic Jew dressed in dark colors replete with curls, beard and head covering? Religion means many things to many people. Unfortunately, many organized religions and cults prey upon the fears and weaknesses of their members. The Word of God is infallible. Mankind has interpreted the word of God and passed it to generation after generation. Unfortunately, men are fallible. They have their own agendas. And men with power tend to use any means necessary to keep that power and to increase it if possible. Let's say you're a 1st Century leader in Palestine who's a bit peeved at the presence of a foreign power in your country (that would be the Romans, by the way). How do you incite the common folk to insurrection? They all go to Temple every Saturday, why not work it into the religious teachings? Several centuries later when you're free of the invaders, you're stuck with a doctrine that's outdated and you can't change it, because it is supposedly the word of God. So things get corrupted through the years and yet they are still literally the Gospel truth! What can you believe? Let's examine a few points. If Satan really exists, would he be so stupid as to actually make himself known to anyone he's trying to deceive? For instance, you've no doubt heard the tales of "a deal with the Devil" where someone sells his or her soul for some earthly gain? What kind of moron, upon seeing Mephistopholes in the flesh would do a deal like that? The mere presence of Satan removes the veil of mystery of faith in God. If Satan exists, then surely God exists. Why go with the losing team if you can just as easily play with the winning team!?! Any earthly suffering you would endure after your Satanic encounter would be eased with the knowledge that a loving, caring God would make things right in the hereafter. If Satan exists, he is much more subtle and cunning than that. So don't be fooled. Somewhere along the way, you've been reprimanded by someone somewhere that if you did one trivial thing or another you'd go to Hell. Everything from eating a bacon double cheeseburger on a Friday during Lent to masturbation to cussing seemed to garner this rather stiff penalty. If Hell exists as a place of eternal damnation, it would take a hell of alot more than "spanking the monkey" once in a while to have your soul be sentenced there. If Heaven and Hell exist there will be many souls who will be surprised at who they get to rub elbows with for eternity. Hell will contain your really bad people, but there will be a fair amount of the "religious" there as well. Alternately, Heaven will have it's share of notoriety shaking hands with the saints. Only God knows the true heart of a person, and therefore only God can pass judgement. Your grandmom's, your rabbi's, Oral Roberts' and Billy Graham's opinions mean squat. So with the many conflicting moralities facing a soul today, how can one follow the path of true righteousness? Here are a few guidelines: If your religion promotes hatred towards any person, it is wrong. People make mistakes and are prone to bad judgement. Everyone deserves some respect and courtesy, no matter what their alleged "sin" is. The sin is bad, not necessarily the person. Respect other peoples' beliefs. For all you know, you may be the one who is wrong. Any organized religion is merely a road map for life. We all want to get to the same place, some people just like taking a different route to get there. Different is not good or bad, just different. If a religion debases you, threatens you with pain or makes you feel worthless, leave immediately. A religion which uses such tactics is an unhealthy one. It can serve no other purpose than to break your spirit and gain control of you for its own purposes. Religion should be like a loving, supportive family. It takes you as you are. If you get off on getting abused, you should seek psychiatric help, not religious help. If they require you to give up your life prematurely to join with God, get out ASAP. Religion is a life affirming entity, not a snuff film. Be willing to share with and help others. You may need to be helped someday, and besides, it makes you feel good. Don't substitute religious addiction for other addictions. How many times have you heard the stories about former drug addicts who've "found the Lord" while doing time? They may be sincere in their faith, but probably are just substituting dope for Jesus. Having support from a caring, loving environment like a good religious family can give is great. But if you're addicted to something, treat the addiction and overcome it. Don't just swap destructive lifestyles. Once you've found the religious path that's right for you, shut up about it. What's right for you may not be right for your wife or your kids or your golfing buddies. If you feel you must preach the Gospel and show the way of the Lord, then show by example. If you live your life in a way that exemplifies the attributes of your religion, it will have a greater impact on people than if you shouted the Psalms from the rooftops. Take any religious teachings with a grain of salt. Like I noted before, nothing is purely the word of God. Something always gets lost in translation. Let your conscience be your guide. In closing, I can leave you with some some of the best advice that any religion has given on how to live your life. The Native Americans had a version of the credo and so do the Christians. I'm sure that many of the other religions have a form of it in one way or another: Treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself. Come back again soon!

Go Home!.

< back two < previous < [ list all | next five | random ]

This Webring site owned by Amanda.

> next > ahead two > [ about open pages | about webring ]

This page hosted by GeoCities. Get your own Free Home Page

Site designed by JasperDyne Industries. Last Updated 6 August, 1997.