My response to Kristen's Blog; found here :
iThink
Many great things were founded on lesser things. Why would we assume religion should be any different? The Bible did "borrow" from many things, as does many of our school textbooks. Granted, we don't "worship" textbooks; but we do learn from them. Just like a textbook, the information can be wrong, or if read wrong, be misleading. How many time have you read something then taken an exam to realize you've understood it wrong?
While I appreciate you informing me of your opinion of where religion came from; with respect, you don't know either. Polytheism very well could have been born from the minds of humans that needed more control. OR Gods and Goddess' walked among us at one point in time. Many ancient Greek and Roman script relate this. I'm not completely sure about Egyptian; fear not, I will be steeped in ancient Egyptian knowledge after Friday. From what I understand the Egyptian philosophy predates Greek and Roman. Fact is not fact just because someone says it. That's irrevocably an opinion.
The statement I made "I can prove that I have faith, where is your proof that you shouldn't?"; I believe in God, I have faith that he exists because he lives inside me, I know he's there, but I can't prove that to anyone anymore than I can prove I'm capable of loving someone, or hating someone for that matter. My proof of faith is in what I tell you and in my actions of how I handle things. Call me blind, ignorant, uneducated, and any other thing you prefer but the old adage stands true, "sticks and stones may break my bones..." We'll all know the truth in the end of days anyhow. I'd rather be disappointed myself than see a friend in misery.
I have no problem with being broad minded enough for all theories to fit. Darwinism, Big-bang, Polytheism, whatever. I agree with you in the respect that one day everything will fit. Enlightenment will come, whether the enlightenment is spiritual, intellectual, scientific, or a mixture of all remains to be seen.
The biggest point I'm making in this argument is that EVERYTHING is theory and will be until the day in which it can be proven. It is personal belief that let us believe past that point, Atheism being one of those personal beliefs.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland
Patrick was a British lad who was kidnapped by Irish raiders; he lived as a slave until his escape. He went into ministry, and later had "visions" of God telling him to save the people of Ireland from their current state of "heathenism" (read Pagan here).
Although this was occurring around the world, it was St. Patrick's ability to do it without bloodshed that was truly amazing. It is said that St. Patrick was able to accomplish this by using the shamrock, a sacred symbol in Celtic society, as a way to teach The Holy Trinity.
The shamrock was recognized by Celts as a mystical plant. The three leaves represented the Supreme Goddess, who has the ability to take three forms; The maiden, the mother, and the crone. St. Patrick conveyed the message of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Contrary to popular belief, the shamrock is not the symbol for Ireland, but rather a harp is.
In 1790 (something) a rebellion was led in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics in green and Protestants in orange. It is said that all battles between the to factions resulted in a "sea of orange and green. This is why the flag of Ireland is tricolor, the white is to represent peace between the two.
Wearing of green and the whole pinching thing is American culture.
Although this was occurring around the world, it was St. Patrick's ability to do it without bloodshed that was truly amazing. It is said that St. Patrick was able to accomplish this by using the shamrock, a sacred symbol in Celtic society, as a way to teach The Holy Trinity.
The shamrock was recognized by Celts as a mystical plant. The three leaves represented the Supreme Goddess, who has the ability to take three forms; The maiden, the mother, and the crone. St. Patrick conveyed the message of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Contrary to popular belief, the shamrock is not the symbol for Ireland, but rather a harp is.
In 1790 (something) a rebellion was led in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics in green and Protestants in orange. It is said that all battles between the to factions resulted in a "sea of orange and green. This is why the flag of Ireland is tricolor, the white is to represent peace between the two.
Wearing of green and the whole pinching thing is American culture.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Evolution of Faith
Today I was sent an invitation on Facebook in regards to banning "religious child grooming". My natural instinct upon being invited to something with the word religion in it is to go look first; I can't express how many (awkward) moments I've had after joining a cause and realizing that it doesn't fit into my belief, culture, or faith system.
I went in to the room and started reading.
Got to halfway through what should have been the first paragraph (sloppy) and exited the page. Thought about it. Went back and read the rest. Climbed back up onto the soapbox I stepped off of years ago and created this blog.
Here is the "essay":
Here is my POV:
When I say you I'm referring to the author, not anyone in general.
This writer(s) are massively confused. He isn't debating religious points of view; he is debating politics, faith, spirituality, ethics, society, morality, AND religion. I'm also wondering if he has children and if so are they allowed to believe in Santa Clause; being that "grooming children to place their faith in a non-evidential supernatural world is unethical and educationally counterproductive towards raising normal well-adjusted people." REALLY? Shall I stop reading Aesop's Fables to my kids because the stories aren't real? Tell my nieces "sorry sweethearts, no more fairy-tale happily-ever-after stories because I want you to be nice, normal, and well balanced"? This isn't religion, this is ethics, society, culture, and child-rearing. In a world where I had no belief in God, I'd shoot your stupid ass for the mere suggestion of telling me how to rear my children because I wouldn't be worried about going to hell; and before I even hear I'll be punished by law if I shoot you; think about where that law, and where the morality of shooting someone is bad came from. I bet it didn't come from the monkeys.
Bible v.s. Darwinism. Fine, we evolved from this to that to the other. I've also heard from my atheist friend that the Bible is a lie because God said he created the world (insert x here) amount of years ago and science has proven that the earth is (insert x here) old. My personal thought on this is perhaps god created the universe, then atoms, then plants/animal life forms, then humans. That lends credence to Darwinism as well as other theories, and lends answers to people that bases opinions on fact over faith. Can I prove it? Of course not, but Darwinism isn't proof either, hence the term THEORY. Faith v.s. Proof is an ever circular debate that has been going on several billion years (maybe exaggerated a bit =p) I can prove that I have faith, where is your proof that you shouldn't?
Another thought, people are attempting to literally translating the Bible (which has probably never been read entirely, most atheists don't) and one shouldn't. It's just like reading a bedtime story or a fairy tale. The Bible has different meaning to the person that is applying it to their life. I myself have hang-ups about some of the things I read in the Bible. Does that mean that I shouldn't read it because everything in it is "a massive catalog of proven lies and deceit?" No because (especially the New Testament) is full of stories about ethical dilemmas, politics and societal beliefs of ancient times, and cultural practices. If nothing else you are learning about the writing style of an ancient time period. Before you blast it, try the grown up thing and read it.
I don't know where religion was founded but I highly doubt that such intricate proceedings came from the brain of a primate. That being said, I do not believe Christianity was the first religion. Christianity came into being in a society where there was no rules. Pillage, plunder, war, rape, murder and so on were a reoccurring theme before "religious enlightenment" came along. Would you like to live in a world like that?
Now for the part of the essay that sent me on a rant in the first place. "Religions work on children's minds in the same way as pedophiles". I have read this line 5 different times in disbelief. The author compared God to a child molester. You don't want to believe, I'm fine with that. I'd just like to know who the hell you think you are. It's apparent to me you are uneducated and know very little about the real issue going on here. What happened, Mommy make you sit still in church one too many times as a child? Go to therapy, get your facts straight, then get over yourself.
The one thing I do agree with out of all this is the Youtube link that was posted in the "essay" as the reason given for such unthinkable ignorance.
Religious Child Abuse
Yes, that's insane. I don't find fault with religion here however; I find fault in the parents that send their children to places like this at an age where they can't possibly understand the dynamics of what they are hearing. All they are being taught here is how they should feel terrible for being alive. The obvious pain and suffering on the faces of these children damn near made me cry. If ANYONE EVER put my kid through something like that; religion, morality, faith aside, their face would meet my fist. There again, I wouldn't put my child into something like that because whether or not to believe is an adult decision. He's been to Sunday School, but his Mommy went the week before because she wanted to know what he'd be learning. Noah's Ark is rather harmless, I felt he was capable of handling that story.
I think I'll end this rant in saying I was raised to practice and believe whatever I wanted, however I wanted. My child will have the same options and all the knowledge I can give him.
I went in to the room and started reading.
Got to halfway through what should have been the first paragraph (sloppy) and exited the page. Thought about it. Went back and read the rest. Climbed back up onto the soapbox I stepped off of years ago and created this blog.
Here is the "essay":
Here is my POV:
When I say you I'm referring to the author, not anyone in general.
This writer(s) are massively confused. He isn't debating religious points of view; he is debating politics, faith, spirituality, ethics, society, morality, AND religion. I'm also wondering if he has children and if so are they allowed to believe in Santa Clause; being that "grooming children to place their faith in a non-evidential supernatural world is unethical and educationally counterproductive towards raising normal well-adjusted people." REALLY? Shall I stop reading Aesop's Fables to my kids because the stories aren't real? Tell my nieces "sorry sweethearts, no more fairy-tale happily-ever-after stories because I want you to be nice, normal, and well balanced"? This isn't religion, this is ethics, society, culture, and child-rearing. In a world where I had no belief in God, I'd shoot your stupid ass for the mere suggestion of telling me how to rear my children because I wouldn't be worried about going to hell; and before I even hear I'll be punished by law if I shoot you; think about where that law, and where the morality of shooting someone is bad came from. I bet it didn't come from the monkeys.
Bible v.s. Darwinism. Fine, we evolved from this to that to the other. I've also heard from my atheist friend that the Bible is a lie because God said he created the world (insert x here) amount of years ago and science has proven that the earth is (insert x here) old. My personal thought on this is perhaps god created the universe, then atoms, then plants/animal life forms, then humans. That lends credence to Darwinism as well as other theories, and lends answers to people that bases opinions on fact over faith. Can I prove it? Of course not, but Darwinism isn't proof either, hence the term THEORY. Faith v.s. Proof is an ever circular debate that has been going on several billion years (maybe exaggerated a bit =p) I can prove that I have faith, where is your proof that you shouldn't?
Another thought, people are attempting to literally translating the Bible (which has probably never been read entirely, most atheists don't) and one shouldn't. It's just like reading a bedtime story or a fairy tale. The Bible has different meaning to the person that is applying it to their life. I myself have hang-ups about some of the things I read in the Bible. Does that mean that I shouldn't read it because everything in it is "a massive catalog of proven lies and deceit?" No because (especially the New Testament) is full of stories about ethical dilemmas, politics and societal beliefs of ancient times, and cultural practices. If nothing else you are learning about the writing style of an ancient time period. Before you blast it, try the grown up thing and read it.
I don't know where religion was founded but I highly doubt that such intricate proceedings came from the brain of a primate. That being said, I do not believe Christianity was the first religion. Christianity came into being in a society where there was no rules. Pillage, plunder, war, rape, murder and so on were a reoccurring theme before "religious enlightenment" came along. Would you like to live in a world like that?
Now for the part of the essay that sent me on a rant in the first place. "Religions work on children's minds in the same way as pedophiles". I have read this line 5 different times in disbelief. The author compared God to a child molester. You don't want to believe, I'm fine with that. I'd just like to know who the hell you think you are. It's apparent to me you are uneducated and know very little about the real issue going on here. What happened, Mommy make you sit still in church one too many times as a child? Go to therapy, get your facts straight, then get over yourself.
The one thing I do agree with out of all this is the Youtube link that was posted in the "essay" as the reason given for such unthinkable ignorance.
Religious Child Abuse
Yes, that's insane. I don't find fault with religion here however; I find fault in the parents that send their children to places like this at an age where they can't possibly understand the dynamics of what they are hearing. All they are being taught here is how they should feel terrible for being alive. The obvious pain and suffering on the faces of these children damn near made me cry. If ANYONE EVER put my kid through something like that; religion, morality, faith aside, their face would meet my fist. There again, I wouldn't put my child into something like that because whether or not to believe is an adult decision. He's been to Sunday School, but his Mommy went the week before because she wanted to know what he'd be learning. Noah's Ark is rather harmless, I felt he was capable of handling that story.
I think I'll end this rant in saying I was raised to practice and believe whatever I wanted, however I wanted. My child will have the same options and all the knowledge I can give him.
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