As an atheist, the one thing that fascinated me about the Reverenced Jeremiah Wright scandal was how the good reverend enjoyed preaching about things not relating to God, which seemed weird to me because I always thought church was the one place in which everybody made it a point to talk about God.
Reverend Wright, for those of you who don't know, was the preacher at President Obama's church. At that Chicago church, Mr. Wright said some things that weren't very complementary of America or the white people who live here.
I bet God got all excited in thinking Reverend Wright's congregation was gathering together to worship Him, when all of sudden the esteemed Mr. Wright starting talking about chickens coming home to roost, the US of KKK, etc.
I suppose Reverend Wright talking about politics is the religious equivalent of, "I went to a boxing match and a hockey game broke out." After all, I don't often hear the reading of Ecclesiastes 8:8 during political debates!
I can see the following conversation occurring in heaven.
Saint Peter: Why should we let you into the pearly gates?
Reverend Wright Congregant: I went to church every Sunday.
Saint Peter: And what did you learn?
Reverend Wright Congregant: That devilish white people have caused those in the Middle East to hate America.
Saint Peter: No, what did you learn about the Bible?
Reverend Wright Congregant: Come again.
Saint Peter: The Bible - The Word of God?
Reverend Wright Congregant: Never heard of it. Why, is it good?
And I don't mean to pile on Reverend Wright; I have a strong feeling the topic of God is mentioned very little in many churches throughout this great land of ours.
I understand everyone wants everyone else to know what they think about politics because everyone thinks they could run the world better than everyone else, but if God is the most important thing in your life, why don't you have the burning desire to elevate conversation about Him above all else - especially when you're in His house!
Could it be that church does nothing more than serve as a place to socialize with like minded people, as well as give you hope that there is more to life? Therefore, when you're there, talking about God isn't necessarily required.
So remember, if you're at a location doing something other than what you went there to do, you may want to ask yourself if going there in the first place was such a good idea.
As an atheist, I suppose I should be happy. After all, I know that for an hour every Sunday morning you Christians go to a place where God is the farthest thing from your mind.
Maybe I'll start an atheist group where we can talk about global warming, because if I want to start a group where we actually talk about atheism I'll have to tell everyone we're going to be comparing and contrasting the Soviet Union during the cold war with Russia in its present form.
Here Are "All" the Churches
One of the many things that bother me about organized religion is the fact that so many adults have occupied the same pew since before they could crawl.
At an early age, children are dragged to church by their parents where they are promptly scared to death into thinking that if you believe anything other than exactly what the preacher is preaching, you will spend an eternity in hell.
Of course an eternity of damnation sounds rather unpleasant to persons of any age, which is the sole reason organized religion has expanded throughout the centuries.
People telling impressionable children that they not only know how the universe was created, but also exactly what will happen to individuals when they die, is a pretty good scheme. So good in fact, that organized religion is thriving despite scientific evidence that indicates their sacred books belong in the fiction section of your local Barnes & Noble.
I once saw Kirk Cameron, former child star and current fundamentalist Christian, talk about how he found Christ. His parents didn't force Him upon a young Kirk; Christianity is the path he chose after doing research on his own.
I got no problem with that.
I understand most parents would probably rather spend an eternity in hell than see their children spend an eternity in hell, and that is why they are so adamant their offspring believe a certain way. So I'm not saying brainwashing their children makes religious folks bad people. After all, in their eyes, desperate times call for desperate measures.
But how does one justify teaching a belief? As much as I want everyone to agree with me, I would never be pompous enough to say to a young person, "I'm going to teach you what's in your heart and soul. I'm going to teach you what's in your gut. I don't want you to have the opportunity to gather facts and formulate opinions on your own; I want to force feed you your core beliefs."
I would never force my child to wake up early on Sunday morning so he or she could be preached to by gown-clad figures insisting that atheism is the absolute truth, and then let them herd little Timmy or Suzy off to a room to be surrounded by peers who would consider my child an outcast if he or she didn't agree with the teacher's every word without question. I don't know if I'd rather stand up at a meeting and say that I adamantly disagree with my fellow labor union members regarding their stance on health insurance reform, or stand up in the middle of a third-grade Sunday school class and say that I think Moses was way too preachy in the Book of Deuteronomy.
I suppose having a belief system that says no one suffers for all of eternity means there's no reason for me to panic due to fear that I will unnecessarily be separated from my loved ones. I was once in a situation where the adults became separated from the children at one of those huge K-Marts and it certainly was not an enjoyable experience.
But that panic and desperation does not mean you should deny your family members the right to decide for themselves. Telling children that Jewish people are not saved because they fail to believe in Christ as their savior should not be considered a positive message because such a statement has never been proven.
Why not tell them what you personally believe, and why you believe it. Then tell them what others believe, and why they believe it. Take them to various churches and let them experience a wide variety of religions. Tell them that some people don't believe in a higher power at all, and explain the various theories, that have nothing to do with supernatural forces, which explain how the earth may have begun. Oh, and make sure to tell them of said theories without rolling your eyes or laughing out loud every few words.
See, I already provided a good example of how you should educate. I said, "Explain how the earth may have begun," as opposed to, "Explain how every scientist under the sun believes the earth began."!
There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting around a table with a bottle of wine discussing religion with folks whose beliefs differ from mine. But such conversations are only enjoyable if those involved are knowledgeable about the subject at hand.
Religious people just need to remember that knowledge is never a bad thing - no matter how old you are.
And besides, what do you think will earn your loved ones more brownie points in heaven; saying they came to believe in God because their parents insisted they go to church every Sunday morning and Wednesday night, or that they came to know the truth after examining all the evidence they could get their hands on?
At an early age, children are dragged to church by their parents where they are promptly scared to death into thinking that if you believe anything other than exactly what the preacher is preaching, you will spend an eternity in hell.
Of course an eternity of damnation sounds rather unpleasant to persons of any age, which is the sole reason organized religion has expanded throughout the centuries.
People telling impressionable children that they not only know how the universe was created, but also exactly what will happen to individuals when they die, is a pretty good scheme. So good in fact, that organized religion is thriving despite scientific evidence that indicates their sacred books belong in the fiction section of your local Barnes & Noble.
I once saw Kirk Cameron, former child star and current fundamentalist Christian, talk about how he found Christ. His parents didn't force Him upon a young Kirk; Christianity is the path he chose after doing research on his own.
I got no problem with that.
I understand most parents would probably rather spend an eternity in hell than see their children spend an eternity in hell, and that is why they are so adamant their offspring believe a certain way. So I'm not saying brainwashing their children makes religious folks bad people. After all, in their eyes, desperate times call for desperate measures.
But how does one justify teaching a belief? As much as I want everyone to agree with me, I would never be pompous enough to say to a young person, "I'm going to teach you what's in your heart and soul. I'm going to teach you what's in your gut. I don't want you to have the opportunity to gather facts and formulate opinions on your own; I want to force feed you your core beliefs."
I would never force my child to wake up early on Sunday morning so he or she could be preached to by gown-clad figures insisting that atheism is the absolute truth, and then let them herd little Timmy or Suzy off to a room to be surrounded by peers who would consider my child an outcast if he or she didn't agree with the teacher's every word without question. I don't know if I'd rather stand up at a meeting and say that I adamantly disagree with my fellow labor union members regarding their stance on health insurance reform, or stand up in the middle of a third-grade Sunday school class and say that I think Moses was way too preachy in the Book of Deuteronomy.
I suppose having a belief system that says no one suffers for all of eternity means there's no reason for me to panic due to fear that I will unnecessarily be separated from my loved ones. I was once in a situation where the adults became separated from the children at one of those huge K-Marts and it certainly was not an enjoyable experience.
But that panic and desperation does not mean you should deny your family members the right to decide for themselves. Telling children that Jewish people are not saved because they fail to believe in Christ as their savior should not be considered a positive message because such a statement has never been proven.
Why not tell them what you personally believe, and why you believe it. Then tell them what others believe, and why they believe it. Take them to various churches and let them experience a wide variety of religions. Tell them that some people don't believe in a higher power at all, and explain the various theories, that have nothing to do with supernatural forces, which explain how the earth may have begun. Oh, and make sure to tell them of said theories without rolling your eyes or laughing out loud every few words.
See, I already provided a good example of how you should educate. I said, "Explain how the earth may have begun," as opposed to, "Explain how every scientist under the sun believes the earth began."!
There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting around a table with a bottle of wine discussing religion with folks whose beliefs differ from mine. But such conversations are only enjoyable if those involved are knowledgeable about the subject at hand.
Religious people just need to remember that knowledge is never a bad thing - no matter how old you are.
And besides, what do you think will earn your loved ones more brownie points in heaven; saying they came to believe in God because their parents insisted they go to church every Sunday morning and Wednesday night, or that they came to know the truth after examining all the evidence they could get their hands on?
Feed a Starving Child or Buy a Pew Cushion?
In these tough economic times I can't help but think about the billions of dollars that have been spent to construct churches, as well as purchase the items housed inside.
When the authors of the Bible said that you should give 10% of your money to the church, do you think they understood a good portion of that money would be used to make sure the surface on which worshippers sat was soft and cushy?
When you proudly add the envelope containing your check to the collection plate as you subtly count those taking notice, do you ever think of what that money will be used to buy? It will be used pay the maid, the landscape company which mows the lawn, signage outside the church warning passersby that they will burn in hell should they not come to believe exactly as you believe, etc.
Churches are just like cars; they're nothing but unnecessary status symbols to show off the number of dollars you've been able to accumulate. You could get from point A to point B in a modest Ford Focus, but it wouldn't show the world that you just made partner. Congregations could worship together in the park, but it wouldn't show the world that the preacher has above average fundraising skills.
Sure, I'm a devout atheist, but I don't begrudge most people who gather together to worship. It makes them happy and the majority of the non-fanatical ones aren't hurting a soul.
But instead of worshipping in glorious shrines that cost a fortune, why not use the money to feed the, "least of your brothers."
The actions of those who profess to know God best always befuddle me. You say He doesn't care about earthly possessions, yet you fill the very house in which you praise Him with the finest luxuries money can buy. Maybe not the finest luxuries money can buy, but your churches are certainly filled with items you could do without. And what about the huge cross outside your church with which the preacher vowed to humiliate McDonalds?
I do credit churches for doing good works, but why limit those works because you feel guilty forcing your choir to be seen in robes that can be bought on the cheap via a discount choir robes website your internet security company warns you not to visit. Hey, why not let them sing in their regular clothes? Would their voices not adequately inspire?
I get it; you're 100% certain that your beliefs are accurate and you're already preparing for the day on which you'll be judged. But do you really think you'll receive a negative grade for choosing to provide hot meals to malnourished children instead of equipping the church bathroom with name brand soft soap that smells like a meadow.
I just have a problem with paying to spruce up a place in which people come together to worship an entity that no one can prove exists when you can look into the actual eyes of a starving child. But for some reason you have no problem seeing a being that isn't there, while flesh and blood born without hope suffer greatly.
When the authors of the Bible said that you should give 10% of your money to the church, do you think they understood a good portion of that money would be used to make sure the surface on which worshippers sat was soft and cushy?
When you proudly add the envelope containing your check to the collection plate as you subtly count those taking notice, do you ever think of what that money will be used to buy? It will be used pay the maid, the landscape company which mows the lawn, signage outside the church warning passersby that they will burn in hell should they not come to believe exactly as you believe, etc.
Churches are just like cars; they're nothing but unnecessary status symbols to show off the number of dollars you've been able to accumulate. You could get from point A to point B in a modest Ford Focus, but it wouldn't show the world that you just made partner. Congregations could worship together in the park, but it wouldn't show the world that the preacher has above average fundraising skills.
Sure, I'm a devout atheist, but I don't begrudge most people who gather together to worship. It makes them happy and the majority of the non-fanatical ones aren't hurting a soul.
But instead of worshipping in glorious shrines that cost a fortune, why not use the money to feed the, "least of your brothers."
The actions of those who profess to know God best always befuddle me. You say He doesn't care about earthly possessions, yet you fill the very house in which you praise Him with the finest luxuries money can buy. Maybe not the finest luxuries money can buy, but your churches are certainly filled with items you could do without. And what about the huge cross outside your church with which the preacher vowed to humiliate McDonalds?
I do credit churches for doing good works, but why limit those works because you feel guilty forcing your choir to be seen in robes that can be bought on the cheap via a discount choir robes website your internet security company warns you not to visit. Hey, why not let them sing in their regular clothes? Would their voices not adequately inspire?
I get it; you're 100% certain that your beliefs are accurate and you're already preparing for the day on which you'll be judged. But do you really think you'll receive a negative grade for choosing to provide hot meals to malnourished children instead of equipping the church bathroom with name brand soft soap that smells like a meadow.
I just have a problem with paying to spruce up a place in which people come together to worship an entity that no one can prove exists when you can look into the actual eyes of a starving child. But for some reason you have no problem seeing a being that isn't there, while flesh and blood born without hope suffer greatly.
I Gave You Freewill, Now Do Exactly as I Say
I get a kick out of Christians who insist that one of God's many gifts is freewill. I can't understand why they get excited over God's decision to grant them freedom when He's provided an instruction booklet detailing exactly how they should live! Should they choose not to obey the 700,000-plus word manual, He will punish them with an eternity of suffering in the hoary netherworld. If you're from a country where the Bible is outlawed; you're doomed. If your parents taught you another religion; you're doomed. If you're doing your best to live by the teachings of the Bible but a few of the pages got stuck together and you missed some important commandments; you're doomed.
Is it freewill when a mother sends her son to his room with express instructions to make it shine? Should he choose not to follow her demands he will find himself confined to said room for the next month with no television or internet.
In other words, freewill doesn't work when it's provided alongside a harsh threat.
"Do as you wish, but if you don't do exactly as I say you will literally rot in hell!"
Wow, that's great, thanks a lot for all the options, how about I just sit here my entire life reading the Bible. Even though I'll have all of eternity to spend with Him, I might as well spend the only time I have away from Him reading about HIM.
It's the reverse equivalent of leaving home when you turn 18 and then spending the next 70-years reading about your parents!
Simply, freewill does not come with a disclaimer.
If God were real He would have logically given everyone no earthly assignments to carry out. Therefore He'd be able to truly judge character.
And why do religious folks insist they have freewill? Does pretending make conformity easier to stomach? Are they making the freewill claim simply because they have the physical ability to disobey Him? They often suppress very human urges that don't harm anyone because the Bible tells them said urges are wrong, which is not freewill, just as a mobster doesn't provide freewill to a store owner unwilling to pay for protection by aggressively telling him or her, "Of course you don't have to accept my proposal, but I sure would hate to see a massive explosion put a damper on any future bidness dealings you may wish to transact."
For some reason freewill is another topic at which believers refuse to take an honest look. Instead they use smoke and mirrors to make it seem as if their actions are their own, when in reality they are driven to act by the teachings of the Bible.
They wake up early on Sunday because of the Bible and they force their family to go to Sunday school because of the Bible. They do everything because of the Bible, all the while being thankful their creator gave them a mind with which to think for themselves.
What a gift: a mind you're instructed never to use.
Is it freewill when a mother sends her son to his room with express instructions to make it shine? Should he choose not to follow her demands he will find himself confined to said room for the next month with no television or internet.
In other words, freewill doesn't work when it's provided alongside a harsh threat.
"Do as you wish, but if you don't do exactly as I say you will literally rot in hell!"
Wow, that's great, thanks a lot for all the options, how about I just sit here my entire life reading the Bible. Even though I'll have all of eternity to spend with Him, I might as well spend the only time I have away from Him reading about HIM.
It's the reverse equivalent of leaving home when you turn 18 and then spending the next 70-years reading about your parents!
Simply, freewill does not come with a disclaimer.
If God were real He would have logically given everyone no earthly assignments to carry out. Therefore He'd be able to truly judge character.
And why do religious folks insist they have freewill? Does pretending make conformity easier to stomach? Are they making the freewill claim simply because they have the physical ability to disobey Him? They often suppress very human urges that don't harm anyone because the Bible tells them said urges are wrong, which is not freewill, just as a mobster doesn't provide freewill to a store owner unwilling to pay for protection by aggressively telling him or her, "Of course you don't have to accept my proposal, but I sure would hate to see a massive explosion put a damper on any future bidness dealings you may wish to transact."
For some reason freewill is another topic at which believers refuse to take an honest look. Instead they use smoke and mirrors to make it seem as if their actions are their own, when in reality they are driven to act by the teachings of the Bible.
They wake up early on Sunday because of the Bible and they force their family to go to Sunday school because of the Bible. They do everything because of the Bible, all the while being thankful their creator gave them a mind with which to think for themselves.
What a gift: a mind you're instructed never to use.
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