03-25-2004, 04:45 AM
Religion is a fickle thing. If religion was a science, you'd be asking yourself questions like:
1a.) Can I talk to god?
1b.) Does god talk to me?
1c.) Can I prove it?
2a.) Can I touch god?
2b.) Can god touch me in some way?
2c.) Can I prove it?
3a.) Does prayer really do anything for myself?
3b.) Does prayer really do anything for other people?
3c.) Can I prove it?
4a.) Are deeds done in gods name actually done for his glory, or a man made goal of sorts? (reference the Israelites murderous campaign into the "holy land", slaughtering every "man, woman, and child" ~ the crusades ~ the Salem witch trials)
4b.) Does god give me deeds to do in his name?
4c.) Can I prove it?
5a.) Are the miracles listed in the bible actually miracles or natural occurrences of nature that those lucky enough to reap natures glory gave thanks to god for?
5b.) Are all hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, and the like in todayâs day and age a sign from god?
5c.) Can I prove it?
I'm sure there are many more questions you could ask, but I'm struck by a few things in particular:
When I look through the history books, I see the most atrocious deeds done in the name of religion, or at least justified by it. I see gods name or influence the constitutions of many countries, countries whose leaders practice clearly evil deeds as defined by any moral person.
When I look at in-depth studies done at hundreds of colleges across America, I wonder how the mysteries of god really work. There was a recent study done on terminal cancer patients detailing how "prayer" not only does nothing statistically for people, but can actually make people sicker as the people who felt they "had" to prayer, and that burden became a real chip on their shoulders making then feel guilty. What really makes people better is letting go of their worries and making amends; righting was is wrong and feeling good about ones accomplishments and failures.
Yet above all this, I still believe in a omni-presence I call "god". I also believe that there was a man named Jesus Christ (as recorded historically, not only biblically) that died for his belief in god. I also believe that through his passing, I am saved. I think that if I am wrong about this, then nothing will happen to me, but if I am right, then I am saved, so better safe than sorry ;) .
While most people think the bible is the written word of god, I see no room for argument when a "man" creates a movie about a situation written in the bible. If "god" did not breathe life into the film as was supposedly done to the bible, then who really cares? The movie is just one mans interpretation of the events that transpired in the bible, much the same was Lord of the Rings was Peter Jacksonâs interpretation of the LotR books. There were slight difference, but the main bulk of the story is still there. I was going to conclude with something grand, but atlas, my kids are yelling and my wife is giving me the evil eye. Time to put the little munchkins to bed!
1a.) Can I talk to god?
1b.) Does god talk to me?
1c.) Can I prove it?
2a.) Can I touch god?
2b.) Can god touch me in some way?
2c.) Can I prove it?
3a.) Does prayer really do anything for myself?
3b.) Does prayer really do anything for other people?
3c.) Can I prove it?
4a.) Are deeds done in gods name actually done for his glory, or a man made goal of sorts? (reference the Israelites murderous campaign into the "holy land", slaughtering every "man, woman, and child" ~ the crusades ~ the Salem witch trials)
4b.) Does god give me deeds to do in his name?
4c.) Can I prove it?
5a.) Are the miracles listed in the bible actually miracles or natural occurrences of nature that those lucky enough to reap natures glory gave thanks to god for?
5b.) Are all hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, and the like in todayâs day and age a sign from god?
5c.) Can I prove it?
I'm sure there are many more questions you could ask, but I'm struck by a few things in particular:
When I look through the history books, I see the most atrocious deeds done in the name of religion, or at least justified by it. I see gods name or influence the constitutions of many countries, countries whose leaders practice clearly evil deeds as defined by any moral person.
When I look at in-depth studies done at hundreds of colleges across America, I wonder how the mysteries of god really work. There was a recent study done on terminal cancer patients detailing how "prayer" not only does nothing statistically for people, but can actually make people sicker as the people who felt they "had" to prayer, and that burden became a real chip on their shoulders making then feel guilty. What really makes people better is letting go of their worries and making amends; righting was is wrong and feeling good about ones accomplishments and failures.
Yet above all this, I still believe in a omni-presence I call "god". I also believe that there was a man named Jesus Christ (as recorded historically, not only biblically) that died for his belief in god. I also believe that through his passing, I am saved. I think that if I am wrong about this, then nothing will happen to me, but if I am right, then I am saved, so better safe than sorry ;) .
While most people think the bible is the written word of god, I see no room for argument when a "man" creates a movie about a situation written in the bible. If "god" did not breathe life into the film as was supposedly done to the bible, then who really cares? The movie is just one mans interpretation of the events that transpired in the bible, much the same was Lord of the Rings was Peter Jacksonâs interpretation of the LotR books. There were slight difference, but the main bulk of the story is still there. I was going to conclude with something grand, but atlas, my kids are yelling and my wife is giving me the evil eye. Time to put the little munchkins to bed!
"The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self." -Albert Einsetin