DESTINY-I have to say I have learned so much about life, the world, and science since I have released myself from habitual, contrived thinking. On the other side, however, I have to say that it isn't the greatest feeling realizing the possibility that someone you've put so much time into and worshipped for 28 years may not even exist, but no matter how much we may not like the truth, it doesn't change it. I can relate it to the feelings I had when I was told that Santa Claus wasn't real. By the way, does anyone else see anything wrong with lying to your children? Santa maneuvering the sky delivering all the good children's presents sliding down those chimneys. Pretty ridiculous to believe in that isn't it? But I find it amazing that I clung to stories of equal absurdity in the Bible. Jonah living in a fish for three days, a talking snake, God as a burning bush (there's as much evidence for the veracity of these stories as there is Santa Claus.) Now I understand that some people hold that much of the Bible is non-literal, but it speaks rather oddly to me that an all-powerful, jealous-for-your-soul God would choose to present His case in such a way as metaphorical stories. For instance, if the Book of Revelation is just a metaphorical way of showing the triumph of good over evil, and it is meant to be non-literal, then did God not realize that billions of people everywhere would be self-fulfilling these prophecies in a literal way? Also, ask yourself this: does believing that the world is going to end at Armageddon with the salvation of good and the eradication of evil not conflict with people's desire to make this world a better place? Now you can say that evangelists are making the world a better place by spreading "eternal life," but in a scientific, humanistic, technological-advancement sense, religion is undoubtedly inhibiting our civilization. Students and professionals everywhere are spending countless hours developing new ways to fight disease, better our economy, and better our world, and religions everywhere are doing what? Giving eternal life for which there is no evidence provided? Reading out of bronze-aged books? Treating women as insubordinates? Fighting Jihad? Teaching their children to be slaves to their beliefs? Profiting off of false-hope? I also find it peculiar how end-time believers watch the news and rejoice in the fact that the world is becoming increasingly hostile. Nuclear weapon talks excite the end-times believer. Preachers everywhere praised God after 9/11 saying, "at last, the end is near." I look at this and shake my head. I used to believe in prophecy until I discovered self-fulfilling prophecy. When humans set plans, they tend to achieve them. I want the world to be better for my daughter, not worse, and organized religion is not making this a better world. While it is intended by some as a tool for hope and purpose, it is being used to exploit, enslave, and destroy.
In closing, I would like to say again that the purpose of this blog is to inspire curiosity into the readers. I'm not here to provoke or belittle anyone. However, it's very difficult to express a view on this matter without offending someone. Simply put, it just bothers me to see so many people that never give this any thought. I feel that it is a tragedy to live the only life we are certain of, bound by organized religion. I'm not trying to tell you what to think, I just want to encourage an open-mind. I want to help free people's minds so please read this blog for what it is, and not what it is not. -Jason
