The Ultimate Oxymoron
Posted: Sunday, April 27, 2008
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437- "Answer the Call"
Greetings Fellow Travelers...
The more things change the more they stay the same.
What would make people follow some goober like Warren Jeffs? The men seemed to have the upper hand in everything, allowed to fulfill their deviant desires for power and sexual gratification. But what about the women?
I understand that folks have a right to live the way they want to, but come on.
I grew up hearing, and believing, that God's law supersedes mans law. I still believe this to a degree, but it is so open to interpretation.
Does God want us to forgo visiting a physician?
Does God want us to turn our children over to sexual predators?
Under God's Law what are our responsibilities as parents?
Under God's Law what are our responsibilities as citizens?
Since I take my kids to the doctor and would never allow them to be abused does that mean fewer virgins and a smaller mansion when I get to heaven?
Since I got divorced and remarried does that mean that, in God's eyes, that I am a polygamist?
Sadly, the answers to these questions depend on your religion.
If you are under the impression that I have something against religion you are correct. Dogmatic allegiance will never make sense to me. It was exactly that that killed 900 plus in Guyana those many years ago, brought down the twin towers and are this very moment taking aim at our troops overseas.
This can't possibly be what God had in mind.
Make no mistake. I am as certain that God exists as I am the next sunrise. When I study the intricacies and complexities of nature and science I cannot see how one can think anything other than Divine creation. He did not create a scenario where we fight and kill each other and He watches us like a kid sitting in front of an ant hill with a magnifying glass, ready to flame at random.
So what happened?
God gave us free will. His hands are tied when it comes to certain human activity by His own promise. A complex situation indeed. But not too complex.
I remember when my children wanted to learn to ride a bike. My advice to them was this. "Don't worry about falling down. There are only a certain number of times you will fall before you get the hang of it." I paraphrased myself a bit there, but they got the message. When they would fall, they would look up at me and say, "One less fall to go!," and then continue trying. I was amazed at the speed at which each kiddo learned.
The point of religion, as I see it, is to give humanoids a forum for growth to become what God intended for us to be. I refuse to believe it is to kill. I refuse to believe it is for us to take such control over another as to strip that person of individuality or self-will. It certainly is not to offer up our children as a living sacrifice to any church leader of any denomination or faith. Children need to become adults before having children of their own, but when the "leaders" they look up to for support use them as fodder for personal pleasure what else should we expect them to do? We all need love and support. The human child will look for it wherever it can be found, even if it requires a complete departure from reality.
My heart tells me that God is Love. My heart tells me that God wants us to love and honor and support each other. All races, all people- everywhere. Some have been killed speaking this message.
Not a bad way to go, really...
The more things change the more they stay the same.
What would make people follow some goober like Warren Jeffs? The men seemed to have the upper hand in everything, allowed to fulfill their deviant desires for power and sexual gratification. But what about the women?
I understand that folks have a right to live the way they want to, but come on.
Does God want us to forgo visiting a physician?
Does God want us to turn our children over to sexual predators?
Under God's Law what are our responsibilities as parents?
Under God's Law what are our responsibilities as citizens?
Since I take my kids to the doctor and would never allow them to be abused does that mean fewer virgins and a smaller mansion when I get to heaven?
Since I got divorced and remarried does that mean that, in God's eyes, that I am a polygamist?
Sadly, the answers to these questions depend on your religion.
If you are under the impression that I have something against religion you are correct. Dogmatic allegiance will never make sense to me. It was exactly that that killed 900 plus in Guyana those many years ago, brought down the twin towers and are this very moment taking aim at our troops overseas.
This can't possibly be what God had in mind.
Make no mistake. I am as certain that God exists as I am the next sunrise. When I study the intricacies and complexities of nature and science I cannot see how one can think anything other than Divine creation. He did not create a scenario where we fight and kill each other and He watches us like a kid sitting in front of an ant hill with a magnifying glass, ready to flame at random.
So what happened?
God gave us free will. His hands are tied when it comes to certain human activity by His own promise. A complex situation indeed. But not too complex.
I remember when my children wanted to learn to ride a bike. My advice to them was this. "Don't worry about falling down. There are only a certain number of times you will fall before you get the hang of it." I paraphrased myself a bit there, but they got the message. When they would fall, they would look up at me and say, "One less fall to go!," and then continue trying. I was amazed at the speed at which each kiddo learned.
The point of religion, as I see it, is to give humanoids a forum for growth to become what God intended for us to be. I refuse to believe it is to kill. I refuse to believe it is for us to take such control over another as to strip that person of individuality or self-will. It certainly is not to offer up our children as a living sacrifice to any church leader of any denomination or faith. Children need to become adults before having children of their own, but when the "leaders" they look up to for support use them as fodder for personal pleasure what else should we expect them to do? We all need love and support. The human child will look for it wherever it can be found, even if it requires a complete departure from reality.
My heart tells me that God is Love. My heart tells me that God wants us to love and honor and support each other. All races, all people- everywhere. Some have been killed speaking this message.
Not a bad way to go, really...
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Got a need for short fiction? --Once-Told Tales-- Twilight Zone inspired!!
Got a need for short fiction? --Once-Told Tales-- Twilight Zone inspired!!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Wonderful article, Ken. I totally agree with you. The Bible also tells us to obey the laws of man. So why do these people think they are above the law? The last time I looked, it was illegal to marry more than one person at one time. I realize that a lot of things were done in the beginning of man according to the Bible, but I think the situations then had no place in our modern world. Thanks for a great article. SandraThank you, Sandra. I guess "illegal" is in the eye of the beholder as well.
hi ken, i think this was very well written, and had some great truths in it. simplistic in form, powerful in understanding. thanks for sharing, best regards, sue thomThank you so much, Susan. Your encouragement means the world.
Well done AGAIN! And here's another question: WHO wrote 'God's Law'? (which you note 'supercedes' man's law). Now...we could have a never-ending discussion on this, but since you brought it up...(LOL)....I figure it this way ~ MEN wrote 'God's Law' and they wrote those laws to empower themselves. If you go back, before Christianity (and all the other major religions) you'll find what is known as Paganism (in modern day terms). This particular philosophy included both 'male' and 'female' deities from whom all things were created. Folks honored ALL things in nature...animals, bugs, tress, etc., and there was a much more harmonic flow. Of course, some of the repercussions for dishonoring were pretty harsh (the old 'eye for an eye') but there was far less violence and far more harmony. Religion, for the most part, is politics. Period. That's not to say it doesn't serve a good purpose for some. But the overall picture is pretty grim. Always has been. People tend to misconstrue what is being 'taught' and use it to their own liking. The bible, as we know it today, has been rewritten so many times, there's no telling WHAT the original meant to say. But even that doesn't matter because it's always about individual perception. You and I and 18 other people could read the same exact thing and have 20 different views on what's being said. You get the picture. While you mentioned the killings in Gyana, the Twin Towers and the Middle East, you may have overlooked a few other 'minor' religious wars. When Constantine was trying to get a foothold on Christianity, more than 3 million women were burned alive (witches) for midwifery, caring for animals and other 'natural' tendings. And let's not forget the Native American population that was nearly wiped out for their refusal to convert (estimates are in the millions) or the ongoing wars between Islam and Jerusalem. Oh, the numbers are staggering alright. All in the 'name of God'. No thanks. I'm with you, Ken. I don't believe there is ANY connection between 'God' and religion. Religion is about control. God is about love. The sooner the puny human brain gets THAT part, the sooner we'll end these wars....but probably not in our lifetime. One can hope. Keep offering up your awesome 'meanderings'. They're inspiring and so much fun to read. Many thanks!Thank you, Camille. I appreciate the comments. I just mentioned a few atrocities in the name of religion for sake of space. If I tried to include them all it would be Tragedy instead of SearchWarp. Thanks again.
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