HOGpreacher

Have you ever wondered why religion spawns violence? Why systems of beliefs generate intolerance? Why is it that the great men and women of faith preach peace, love and compassion but their followers practice just the opposite?

The Bible, Torah, Koran, Abidhamma Pitaka, Veda and other religious writings all promote a peaceful existence with all people. All promote a one way, divine way of living. How can you have it all? Is there any one way more direct to God? Is there any particular teaching or religion more enlightened or wise or true than another?

I do not believe any teaching has all the truths about God or that any religion holds the ONLY key to access God. Even my own Christian tradition.

Going back to the first thought, I believe it has to do with the fragile human condition of insecurity and poor self esteem. Most religions are based on the premise that we humans are not worthy of existence but for the divine element of their sect. In the movie "Wayne's World", Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) finds himself in pop star Madonna's bedroom and proclaims "I'm not worthy! I 'm not worthy!"

Of what is he not "worthy"? Madonna? God forbid! Talk about breaking the First Commandment. Madonna is one of a multitude of entertainment stars. People fall all over themselves for celebrities.

In the same way people do the same with religion. People take positions on the greatness of people. Who the "greatest" athlete, actor, musician, evangelist, president, etc., etc., etc. They also take positions on religion. Only Allah is to be praised according to the prophet Muhammad. The teachings of "Moses" are to be obeyed according to the Rabbis and "Jesus" is the only way to the Father. Not to mentions the instructions of Hindu's, Buddhist’s, Chinese or African Traditionalists and the dozen of other religions out there. This includes the "Humanists" as well, those who are atheist, agnostic or non-committal. All see their religious (some non religious) positions as being absolute.

God IS absolute.
Religions, belief systems and philosophies are not. Fundamentalism is not about right beliefs but about right power. Problem is that this "right power" is insistant upon their God being the only God. Wars are a result of the "right God" vs. the "right God". The only people who lose are the dead.

Speaking only for me, Jesus Christ is the way to God and eternal life. The teachings of Jesus make sense to me and when followed have served me well. When I have been disobedient there have been consequences. This works for ME! However, if you are Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim or Muslima or any other religion, then your God is right for you. You are not better nor is your religion more correct. We are just different and if people of faith could accept this truth, peace would be a reality.

Every religion has it "Golden Rule" and it's "10 Commandments". They are all teaching the same way of "right" living. All major religions preach tolerance to a group of self-serving intolerant people.

April 1st is "National Atheist Day".

Atheists are in deep do-do. Now, my own narrowed minded religiosity says this. I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.

God is a slave to no one.
We cannot control God in any way, shape or form. And those includes dictating the right or wrong way to worship, believe, follow, reverence, practice or not practice what we understand to be God.

God Is Not A Slave.
Instead, we should be slaves of God and serve Him.

"We, the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid any more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden, delusional and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim that they require a Bill of No Rights."

ARTICLE I:
You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II:
You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be ... and like the rest of us you need to simply deal with it.


ARTICLE III: (I like this one!)

You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.


ARTICLE IV:

You do not have the right to free food and housing.
Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.


ARTICLE V:

You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI:

You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.


ARTICLE VII:

You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV, pool tables, weight rooms or a life of leisure.


ARTICLE VIII:

You don't have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of part time jobs, education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE IX:

You do not have the right to happiness. Being an
American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness -- which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights,"


ARTICLE X:

This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from. We welcome you here. English is our language and like the one you left behind, we also have a culture. Learn it or go back to the country and the living conditions you were fleeing.

Doing something different this week. Went searching for other 'blogs' for people of same interests. I am thinking of periodicly publishing their blog url for you to browse. Enjoy!

This woman is an aspiring poet. She is self-critical but actually seems to be a person of talent and interest.

Poems by AD