It's been a while, dear readers, but now I think it is time to tackle some serious issues, and I look forward to the hate mail and dirty looks that this post (and blog in general) will generate. I'm going to be talking about something which many of us think about constantly (this excludes those who are too silly or naive).
Jesus Christ! That's a little joke there, but really, what's wrong with saying that? I had an imaginary friend when I was a kid. His name was Sock. He was a person, but he was great and funny and really helpful. Many of us can say that we had an imaginary friend as a kid, but most people leave them behind when they go to school. So why the belief in God and Jesus and that stuff? It's tricky to explain, and there as many reasons as there are people on earth.
A few days ago, a friend of mine called me over and showed me a novel she was working on. To say it was brilliant is an understatement. It raises so many issues that the educated amoungst us question so very often. Is there a God? If so, why do our dearest loved ones pass away before you're ready for them to go? Why do so many millions die of starvation? Why does AIDS exist? In this regard, there are more questions than answers. But the common 'excuse' for all this by the Religious amoungst is that God has a plan for everyone. Really? Then why does stuff go badly? Why do people fail and lose heart in their endeavors?
There is no one answer and there are no answers which will satisfy skeptics. But to take Bertrand Russell's theory of the teapot, Believing in God is similar to believing that there is a teapot which lies behind Mars and cannot be seen. The teapot is there, according to his theory and we should all believe that it exists. Like God, the teapot cannot be seen, yet it is believed to be there. If one sees religion in this light, it's nuts right?
Let's not give Bible-bashers a bad wrap here, that's not my point. I mean to question the sanity of the religious amoungst us because I am relatively certain that a large number of those who are believers exist in such a state because either: You were brought up that way or, it's somehow fashionable amoungst your friend group.
Now this isn't an Atheistic rant about how much I hate Christians. I am not an Atheist and I think hating on large groups of people is not a good plan (Look at what happened to Mussolini). I really just want people to sit down and think about what they are doing. It's rather important. Make your own decisions and live with them. If you think your prayers will be answered, then go ahead and pray. If not, well done to you, sir (of madam).
