 There are many many more deserving people whose lives are hell - a benevolent and proactive God should do something for them. However, I have seen no credible evidence for the Judeao-Christian-Muslim deity. I have strong philosophical objections to all of these creeds. What kind of Father would want to be worshipped by His children anyway? I particularly despise people in Western society who brainwash their children, especially those who teach them that a loving and compassionate God will happily torture unbelievers for eternity in Hell! Surely this is a perverse and pernicious form of child abuse? So many people "know" that their particular belief system is the correct one. However, all their diverse faiths are, in part at least, mutually contradictory; therefore most if not all of these people are deluding themselves. All organised religions (including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Nazism and atheistic Marxism) have been the cause of, or a figleaf for, genocide, ethnic cleansing, war and other evil. I have yet to meet anyone who thinks they are worthy to preach who is not a blinkered hypocrite. In particular many so-called "born again" Christians, seem obsessed with money and power too - never mind camels and eyes of needles! I am amazed how so many professed Christians manage so brazenly to ignore major parts of the Gospels which are inconvenient to them. If you are wondering whether I mean you, I probably do! Have you noticed how greedy people get when it comes to money they haven't earned? One particulartly nauseating example was the lay preacher who paid me an unwanted visit the day after my mother died. Instead of comforting me, he harangued me about the evils of inheritance tax - how was he (he asked me) going to afford £50k tax when his parents' house was sold and the proceeds divided? I'm glad to say that his mum and dad (who are lovely) are still alive. If I believed in cargo cult religion I would pray for a house price collapse to solve his problem and benefit needy and hard-working first time buyers!  If there be a God, then, presumably, he/she/it has chosen not to take personal command for some reason? Maybe It (I doubt it has any of the biological attributes which determine our gender) keeps deliberately hidden in order to let us excercise our free will and let us find our own way, or perhaps we specks of dust are simply not important enough in the grand scheme of things? Maybe our purpose is to try and climb out of the primaeval slime as best we can? I'll accept that challenge - for me and mine! I have met many decent people whose religion is part of their decency, but who don't assume that those not like them have something lacking. I do accept that religion can also provide social cohesion in a family and community - unfortunately this may also lead to clan or tribal conflict and warfare - not to speak of inbreeding and genetic impoverishment - look at the health problems caused by the practice of first-cousin marriage in certain communties. I'm sorry if you think this essay is somewhat rude - but having taken a theology subsidiary at university I am interested in debating the issues, and I really do try to be polite when I meet people in person - I really don't see why the Jehovah's Witnesses seem to scurry past my house without calling any more. However, you wouldn't have clicked on this link if you didn't want to know what I really feel. So, here goes: if, having removed the beamfrom your own eye, you want to preach at me and convert me to your ludicrous "certainties", I respectfully refer you to the defendant's reply in the legal case of Arkell v Pressdram and advise you to get a life! Also.... ....DON'T come and visit me!!!! Music: The Rhythm of Life, sung by Tenby Male Choir, conducted by Christine Shewry. |