Thoughts on God and Religion
What is 'God'? How can we be sure that God exists?
There's nothing wrong with believing in God or not. It's no one's choice but your own. However, problems with God and religion arise when we try to impose our beliefs on others - when we begin discriminating against others for not thinking the same way we do. Religion sparks intolerance; not in everyone, though, mind you.
What evidence do we have to take it all so seriously? It seems the only proof we have of God is the Bible. Who wrote it anyway? How long ago? As many of you may already know, Cinderella's slipper was originally made of fur, not glass. Stories change. They are altered. Things are lost in translation. For all we know, the Bible could've been a screenplay - a magnificent story blown out of proportion. Ever heard of the movie 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'? It was a fictional story based at a real location. People visit there today thinking it's where everything they saw in the movie happened. Things are often taken the wrong way.
Ever heard of Santa Claus? He's the man who brings children presents - but only if they are good. If they're bad, they get lumps of coal - or even worse, nothing at all! I hate to burst your bubble, but Santa Claus doesn't exist. Santa was your parents' way of bribing you into behaving. 'Be good and Santa will reward you - be naughty and he'll condemn you with a stocking full of coal.' Have you ever thought that God might be the adults' version of Santa Claus? If you're good, you go to heaven - if you're bad, you go to hell. Sure, kids can go for one year without any presents - but spending the rest of eternity in the firery pits of Hell? Now there's something that may encourage one to help that old lady across the road.
If there is a God... what do we need Him/Her for? WE create life (kids, your parents will explain when you're older), WE are responsible for ourselves - our health, our actions, what we say and do. I don't see anyone else doing it for us, do you? There's another question - not why do WE need God, but why does GOD need us? Why did he create us?
What's the point of performing religious rituals? Did God say He/She wanted this? Wouldn't They rather you be out doing good deeds as to guarantee a spot in Heaven? One would think that God should be modest, not telling His/Her followers to praise Their name every chance they get - or starving themselves as a sign of respect. Does Batman run around saying 'Look at me! I'm Batman!!'? No. Batman doesn't need to prove himself to anyone; nor does God. God doesn't have to prove anything, so why should WE make it as if He/She does? - snapping at people who question Him/Her. If you truly believe, you won't let anyone's doubt shake you. If you know something, what does it matter what the others say?
'Love thy neighbour.'
Has it ever occurred to you that your neighbour doesn't live in the same house as you? As it is that not everyone is the same. We all come from different places. We all have a different view on things. People's opinions and ways of life are always bound to differ from ours in one way or another - should we hate them for it? No. We should love them, after all, they're our neighbours! You can't just ignore them - they live next door! Well, I guess you COULD ignore them if you wanted, but you'd probably be considered a jerk as far as your neighbour is concerned. We need to learn to accept and respect others' views. You may disagree with what they think or do - but who are you to say what's right and/or wrong?
A lot of people who adopt a religion often criticize certain groups of people, notibly those who are homosexual. They say it is wrong and that God hates them. Well, let me ask you something. If God disapproves of it, why did he make them like that in the first place?
There's nothing wrong with believing in God or not. It's no one's choice but your own. However, problems with God and religion arise when we try to impose our beliefs on others - when we begin discriminating against others for not thinking the same way we do. Religion sparks intolerance; not in everyone, though, mind you.
What evidence do we have to take it all so seriously? It seems the only proof we have of God is the Bible. Who wrote it anyway? How long ago? As many of you may already know, Cinderella's slipper was originally made of fur, not glass. Stories change. They are altered. Things are lost in translation. For all we know, the Bible could've been a screenplay - a magnificent story blown out of proportion. Ever heard of the movie 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'? It was a fictional story based at a real location. People visit there today thinking it's where everything they saw in the movie happened. Things are often taken the wrong way.
Ever heard of Santa Claus? He's the man who brings children presents - but only if they are good. If they're bad, they get lumps of coal - or even worse, nothing at all! I hate to burst your bubble, but Santa Claus doesn't exist. Santa was your parents' way of bribing you into behaving. 'Be good and Santa will reward you - be naughty and he'll condemn you with a stocking full of coal.' Have you ever thought that God might be the adults' version of Santa Claus? If you're good, you go to heaven - if you're bad, you go to hell. Sure, kids can go for one year without any presents - but spending the rest of eternity in the firery pits of Hell? Now there's something that may encourage one to help that old lady across the road.
If there is a God... what do we need Him/Her for? WE create life (kids, your parents will explain when you're older), WE are responsible for ourselves - our health, our actions, what we say and do. I don't see anyone else doing it for us, do you? There's another question - not why do WE need God, but why does GOD need us? Why did he create us?
What's the point of performing religious rituals? Did God say He/She wanted this? Wouldn't They rather you be out doing good deeds as to guarantee a spot in Heaven? One would think that God should be modest, not telling His/Her followers to praise Their name every chance they get - or starving themselves as a sign of respect. Does Batman run around saying 'Look at me! I'm Batman!!'? No. Batman doesn't need to prove himself to anyone; nor does God. God doesn't have to prove anything, so why should WE make it as if He/She does? - snapping at people who question Him/Her. If you truly believe, you won't let anyone's doubt shake you. If you know something, what does it matter what the others say?
'Love thy neighbour.'
Has it ever occurred to you that your neighbour doesn't live in the same house as you? As it is that not everyone is the same. We all come from different places. We all have a different view on things. People's opinions and ways of life are always bound to differ from ours in one way or another - should we hate them for it? No. We should love them, after all, they're our neighbours! You can't just ignore them - they live next door! Well, I guess you COULD ignore them if you wanted, but you'd probably be considered a jerk as far as your neighbour is concerned. We need to learn to accept and respect others' views. You may disagree with what they think or do - but who are you to say what's right and/or wrong?
A lot of people who adopt a religion often criticize certain groups of people, notibly those who are homosexual. They say it is wrong and that God hates them. Well, let me ask you something. If God disapproves of it, why did he make them like that in the first place?
posted by J at 11:50 PM
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