I've always suffered from a deep and lasting struggle with the Christian religion. When I was a kid I never really understood the whole birth of baby Jesus/Santa Claus/Christmas tree connection (who does, really?) and then it amplified when I was 19 and became obsessed with watching those idiotic televangelists who convinced me I needed to fear for my immortal soul (and buy my tape series on "How To Avoid The Lake Of Fire"). You better believe in Sonny Jesus or on Judgement Day God the "loving" Father will cast you into hell for the proverbial everlasting roast and toast--complete with Satan (whom (?) he is obviously in cahoots with), fire and "brimstone" (whatever that is, I guess I could give 'er the googler), pitchforks, ragged clothing etc.
The reason I bring this up is obviously because it's "Good" Friday. The day that God the Father decided it was time to nail his son Jesus to the cross to die a horrible, bloody death and then raise him from the dead 3 days later. That way, if us lowly humans can somehow muster a
belief in this, we get saved from our sins and get to spend eternity in heaven with God and Jesus (don't forget the Holy Spirit). Wow! All this and we get to go on chocolate Easter egg hunts on Sunday...
The other reason I bring this up is I finally got to meet a fellow blogger friend last night and an instant connection was made. We were having few drinks up at the...
Steve Jones--a Classic...
....and the topic of religion came up as it often does. Decisiveness never really being one of my strong points (tend to over-analyze and look at things every which way but loose) I've always struggled with the "what-ifs" as my friend so eloquently put it. What if there is a hell? And even though I think it's a completely insane concept, it's still there sticking in my craw. She related to me that she used to suffer from the "what-ifs" but was able to move past them--I have admiration for people that are able to do that but as hard as I've tried over the years I'm still not there yet. Maybe I never will be...obsessive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, obsessive thoughts...
Steve Jones--a Classic...
....and the topic of religion came up as it often does. Decisiveness never really being one of my strong points (tend to over-analyze and look at things every which way but loose) I've always struggled with the "what-ifs" as my friend so eloquently put it. What if there is a hell? And even though I think it's a completely insane concept, it's still there sticking in my craw. She related to me that she used to suffer from the "what-ifs" but was able to move past them--I have admiration for people that are able to do that but as hard as I've tried over the years I'm still not there yet. Maybe I never will be...obsessive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, obsessive thoughts...
5 comments:
What if...people lived each day, in the moment, doing their best and being their best. Now that would be Heaven on Earth. Happy "Best" Friday Dan!
If it weren't for the fact that I have kids, who reap the benefits of the commercialism Easter, Xmas and the like, I'd go and be on a beach somewhere.
Don't get me started on the hypocracies, the numerous interpretations of the same story, the creepy rites and rituals of all religions. You have to wear this and you can't eat that--puuu-lease!
I don't need to have fear instilled in me to do the right thing or be a good person or to not covet thy neighbours ass. We have a family bible and I remember looking through it as a kid--scared the hell out of me. The pictures were scary and graphic.
'Dead Jesus on a Stick' weekend is just a nice reprieve from work and an opportunity to do some spring cleaning.
oy. religion. my dad was a preacher, so i pretty much want nothing to do with christianity or church. but, different strokes for different folks.
Thanks guys..religion divides. Why can't we all just get along?
EXACTLY what Shelley said. Period.
Now, where's that beach?!
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