i don’t know what brought this change about, but for the past few days i’ve been pondering about the existence of a so-called creator “God.” i’ve had similar moments before, but i think they were brought on by depression and an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. This time it is different. i’m just constantly on a search for the truth, and frankly, i would feel a little dumb praying to/praising something that wasn’t really there. i stopped believing in a God with a shape/form a long time ago, but i left the possibility open that there may be something that is responsible for the creation of the Universe.
i know Jesus (and other people like him) were born to change this world, and have a strong spiritual presence. So following him, and asking him for guidance seems okay to me. But all that business of him being “the Way,” and the ONLY way?? That’s ludicrous! Basically, you’re saying anyone who doesn’t believe Christ is the Savior is damned to Hell. That’s ignorant talk, people. And it doesn’t frighten me a bit. Maybe when i was little, and full of fear… but now? Not even slightly.
i’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of people from a lot of different religious backgrounds, and no one can tell me that their way of life is wrong. If the common goal is to live an upstanding life, and to treat others with love and respect, then what could be wrong with that?
i don’t know… Personally, i’m pretty much over religion. i love Buddhism – it’s the religion i feel most compatible with – but i’m cool on all the rituals and rules and things. i really appreciate the scientific nature of so many Buddhist practices, though. They teach you how to harness your own mind in a practical way; through meditation and other means, which to me is more effective than praying to God, “Lord PLEASE take this [sin] away from me!”
Most of our negative behavior is learned, and the source of all negative thought/actions lie somewhere in the human brain. It’s Neuroscience. If you have used spiritual means to rid yourself of negativity, then keep doing what you do. It works for some people. But if you are a religious person and you’re suffering from bad thoughts and things, look at it from the perspective of a psychologist. Where are these thoughts coming from? Don’t just blame it on the “Devil.” i think there are negative spirits and energies that are kind of contagious, but i don’t believe in the Devil.
Furthermore, all these religious leaders who are preaching to others, but failing to rid themselves of their own iniquities? i don’t want to hear from you. WE ALL SIN, every single day. And we all need to recognize our own power, and figure out our own problems, instead of depending on somebody to tell us how to do things. We were born with an innate knowledge of life, and how we should live it, and we need to take advantage of it. Mentors are great, but really, freedom and liberation comes when we can think for ourselves.
i could go on, but i don’t want to bore anyone. Who’s reading this, anyway? i don’t know. i don’t know anything, but my best advise to everyone is to QUESTION EVERYTHING. i won’t let anybody tell me what’s right and what’s wrong – i’ll judge for myself.
